Imagine entering a large new showroom with all the equipment and products you'll ever need readily available for you to try and test. Add a number of friendly, efficient and fully trained staff to demonstrate and help you. Plus a fully qualified Occupational Therapist on site, full time to advise and show you how equipment should be used and which would be best…and you begin to get a feel for the Indy Experience!

I copied the opening paragraph from the Indy's website and yesterday we had the opportunity to support Elizabeth and Lee Usher at their first open day.

The showroom was officially opened by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson in October 2008. Now, just a few months later, you'll find My-Indy offers a whole new approach to mobility shopping, including an outdoor test track for anyone wanting to test-drive a new scooter or wheelchair and, as of now, the range of switch adapted Dream-Toys produced for young children.

My-Indy is located in Evesham and is the first of a series of new stores planned by Elizabeth, Lee and father, David Badham.

Set your satnav to: WR11 1GS ... it's worth a visit.

Mike

Late last year we were contacted by Karen asking whether we could make a Dream-Gamer that would be suitable for her son Scott. After some discussion we produced a switch adapted controller that we thought would work.

These are Karen's comments:

It was approaching Xmas, and yet again I was finding it difficult to think of gifts for my son Scott who is 10 and has Cerebral Palsy. I wanted a TV interactive game - something that he could have fun with and use as independently as possible. Most of the games on the market had simple controls aimed at much younger children. His friends his age have PlayStations.  I thought about it a lot, how wonderful it would be for Scott to be able to operate a PlayStation just like his friends, but never considered he would be able to, as the controls require good hand functionality and control.  That's when I was thrilled to come across the Dream-Gamer Web Site and was inspired by the story of another young boy like Scott, who had similar disabilities, but through a brilliant piece of equipment had been given access to independently play on a PlayStation.

I contacted Mike, explained Scott's disabilities and that Scott could use switches but would have difficulty with the existing adapted controller, due to the joy stick.  After lots of consultations with me to ensure that he had all the facts, Mike suggested that they would work on putting together a new adapted controller which would operate the PlayStation purely through switches.  Mike has the patience of a 'Saint' and was very kind and trusting to send me the equipment to trial.

Scott was thrilled on Xmas morning to receive a PlayStation especially adapted by "Father Xmas". He has five different colour switches on a switchboard that control different functions e.g. ‘forward’, ‘back’, ‘left’, ‘right’ and ‘enter/select’.  There is capacity for another one to operate ‘start’.

We started with a simple Bob the Builder game to break him into it, not wanting him to get frustrated if he could not operate the games successfully straight away.  He still enjoys this game and he now has others, including a Lightning McQueen racing game, where he loves to crash the car.  He is finding it difficult to understand the concept of some of the games but I am sure that will come with time and experience.  The main thing is that Scott is having fun, he is operating the PlayStation independently and he is doing what his all his friends do. He is getting a right little show off when his friends call around to play with him.

This equipment has given Scott access to play in a way that I never thought he could.  We are all very grateful to Mark and Mike for working with us to make this possible.

Scott, Karen & Kevin Turner

Feel free to contact us if you would like to know more about Dream-Gamer switch adapted PlayStation controllers.

Mike

I can't explain how or why but I'd forgotten to list the two Domino IR remotes on the Dream-Racer web site. (a little voice is whispering in my ear two words "senior" and "moment" but that can't be right.)

As a recap, Domino is a large button, switch adapted, programmable infra-red remote that can control a wide range of TVs, DVD players, toys and environmental control systems. In fact, practically anything that uses infra-red to switch it.

The control codes for four separate devices can be stored in Domino-IR at any one time. For instance, a TV, DVD, ceiling fan and room light system could be assigned to the four yellow buttons. And, for each yellow button/appliance up to six commands stored on the white buttons. Making, in total, 24 control commands on the Domino-IR remote.

Domino-EPG is set-up to work with the on-screen "electronic programme guide" (EPG) menu system used on modern TVs and satellite receivers to select the programme you want to watch.

We normally pre-set Domino-EPG to work with a SKY satellite receiver but it can easily be re-programmed by the user if they need it for their Freeview receiver.

The yellow buttons on Domino-EPG move the on-screen cursor up, down, left or right to highlight the programme. Pressing the blue button selects the programme in the same way a non-adapted remote works.

The white buttons are used to control the satellite receiver - such as switching it on or off.

As standard, we make both Domino-IR and Domino-EPG switch adapted so that each Domino button can be accessed using a standard switch; like the two shown in the top picture.

Mike

Richard arrived earlier today with the three new videos he's produced and it's given me the chance to upload them to the Dream-Racer web site.

We've now got videos of the two new toys Cassy and Sammie - I blogged about earlier - as well a new video of one of the first toys we switch adapted: Nurserytime Bear.

I've loaded all three onto the Dream-Toys page of the Dream-Racer web site - that's where we show all of the switch adapted musical toys.

This is what you need to do if you would like to see the new videos or any of the earlier ones:

1: click on the Dream-Toys link - this will take you to the Dream-Toys page that shows all of the switch adapted musical toys we produce.

2: click on the picture of the toy, or the red "click to play video link" or the "more" button. This will open a pop-up window that contains the video player. It looks like this but it's bigger. 

3: click "play" in the centre of the black video player and the video should stream to you PC. Each video lasts for about one minute.

We also have video content featured on the "home page" that gives a quick overview of some of the other products we produce for children and young adults with disabilities.

I hope you enjoy them.

Mike

We have added two new switch adapted toys to the Dream-Toys family - meet Cassy and Sammie.

Both are plush musical toys that can be turned on using the internal switch mounted in their paws or by connecting any standard (3.5mm) external switch.

Cassy sings "Come on get happy" while her mouth moves with the music and feet rock back and forth.

Sammie is very laid-back. He sings "Don't worry be happy" while his mouth moves with the music and he taps his toes up and down in time with the beat.

We'll have the videos ready very shortly and will stream them on the Dream-Racer web site along with the other videos of our switch adapted toys.

Mike

Doors open on January 14th at the Special Needs Fringe event in London for three days closing on Friday, January 16th.

I took this description of the evenet from the Inclusive Technology web site: "Special Needs Fringe focuses on computers and special needs, a field increasingly called "Assistive Technology". There is a resources exhibition with product suppliers and advisory services, new hardware and software to try out and a programme of free seminars to help you get the most out of your day."

This year will be the third time we have visited Fringe. We will also be stepping across the road to BETT, the massive "technology in education" exhibition.

We are also planning to take a new wireless switch system with us to connect into the Soundbeam system Tim Swingler will be showing on their stand in the Special Needs section at BETT.

I'll write more about what we saw and did next week.

Mike

Filming content for the INDEX project we completed recently has given us a new opportunity to show the switch adapted toys and gaming equipment in action.

All of the content has been edited onto a DVD that we hope will help parents, carers and teachers appreciate whether our products will be suitable for their children and students.

Here's an example ... just click on the play to see the video clip we now use on the home page of the Dream-Racer web site.

This is the link to the BBC Radio 4 podcast that was broadcast on the "You and Yours" programme on Wednesday, December 17th.

Click on the image to download the podcast or on this link.

Geoff Adams-Spink, Age & Disability correspondent at the BBC has been following our co-operation with AbilityNet and has written an article for the BBC web site describing the various switch adapted toys and gaming equipment we produce and available through AbilityNet.

You can find his article on the "technology" page of the BBC web site and a radio report on switch adapted toys for the "You and Yours" Radio 4 programme.

In collecting the background information for the two reports Geoff met with with David Banes from AbilityNet, Barrie Ellis from OneSwitch.org and visited Willow Dene special school in south-east London.

Have a read and listen.

Mike

Take a look at some of the filming we completed recently. This is the link to the article featured on the Guardian Online website.

The video is an extract from the DVD we have just finished that was designed as an aid to help parents, carers, and teachers make more informed assessments of the suitability of our adapted and assistive technology for their children and students.

All of the equipment demonstrated can be found on the Dream-Racer web site.

Get in touch if you would like a copy of the "Children in Control - switch adapted play" DVD.

Mike

Have you ever asked your kids to draw a picture of what you do at work?

These are the pictures Mark's girls drew this afternoon.

Mike.

A month ago we had a request for a switch adapted PlayStation controller that was different to the Dream-Gamer with cap, pistol or mini-joystick adaptions.

The new design adds a second switch input box - the one with the yellow circles in the picture.

It connects to the left side of the PS2 controller and sets up the option of pressing switches to control direction in the game.

Four switches are connected to the extension box and pressed to control up, down, left and right in the game. But, for instance, in a driving game it's likely that only two switches, used to steer the car left and right, will be needed.

In the same game, acceleration and braking would be controlled by two more switches connected to the action button extension box on the right hand side of the Dream-Gamer controller. Or, even a single switch in some games.

The unit is now being tested by Scott and we are looking forward to hearing how he gets on with it.

Mike

Richard at 483media has done a fantastic job of filming and editing all of our products and the interviews with we did with users, parents and teachers. We even got an interview with Mark!

This time I've hosted the videos directly on the Dream-Racer web site under the Dream-Toys product section.

If you want to take a look all you need to do is click on the picture of each toy or on the button below the description. Clicking either opens a new window where the Vzaar video player lives. Turn up your speakers and click play!!!

Richard also gave us a montage from the filming we did to use at the Nation Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries' exhibition (NATLL) last week. If you're interested in taking a peek press the play button in the video window at the top of the blog.

Have fun and prepare to sing along.

Mike

All Dream-Products including switch adapted Dream-Toys, Dream-Gamer and Dream-Racer are now available for purchase from the AbilityNet web site.

Co-operation between AbilityNet and Excitim has been growing since early 2008 when, during a discussion with David Banes, Director of Development, he outlined the need for a large button remote to control the on-screen programme menu used on most new TVs, Freeview and satellite receivers.

Out of that discussion we launched Domino-EPG and Domino Universal I-R remotes.

AbilityNet is a registered national charity (charity no. 1067673) with over 20 years experience helping people with computer access and switch use. Anyone looking for an impartial source of information should get in touch with them.

Mike

We have been awarded an INDEX voucher - take a look at the INDEX web site to learn more about the scheme. Essentially, it allows us to work with a local university on a project of our choice.

We have decided to "spend" our voucher with Professor Ray Johnson from the Faculty of Arts, Media and Design at Staffordshire University.

What we want to produce is a multimedia presentation that shows:

• How assistive technology products, such as switch adapted toys and gaming consoles can help special needs children and young adults play more independently or, together, with family and friends.
• How parents, carers and teachers can make more informed assessments of the suitability of adapted technology products for their children and students.

Filming will be completed this week. Editing will start shortly afterwards and we expect to get the completed work in early November.

Mike

Children love bubbles. So, why not make a switch adapted bubble machine? That's what we did on Thursday night. We went along to the local Early Learning Centre and bought one of their bubble machines.

Later that evening, modifications complete, we had a bubble machine working in both regular and switch adapted modes. Look closely and you'll see the switch socket we added - the black lead. Any standard 3.5mm switch can be connected and, when pressed, the toy blows bubble galore.

We are planning to use it to flood the Reebok Stadium with bubbles when we visit the "Kidz Up North" exhibition in November. If you've got the chance visit the QED and Liberator stands to see this and all the other switch adapted toys and special Christmas toys we produce.

See you there.

Mike

On November 13th 2008 the National  Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries is holding their Annual Conference and AGM in Birmingham.

Running in parallel is an exhibition of toys and other leisure equipment. We will be there and will have all of the Dream-Toys on display along with Dream-Racer and Dream-Gamer. Anyone visiting us will be encourage to have a play.

Various workshops are also planned and one in particular gets our vote: it's all about switch adapted toys and is led by Pat Atkinson. Check the programme for "Switched Play Revisited".

This is an extract from the conference flyer:

Pat has been involved with the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries for many years. Her particular interest is
in play, including that of children and adults with special needs, in the creative use of simple technology and in sharing
ideas worldwide. She is a trainer for the Association and secretary of the International Toy Library Association.

Pat's workshop will focus on modifications and adaptations to toys and will have examples of the latest developments in switch operation enabling children and adults to operate various toys and equipment.

Why not drop by and say hello.

Mike

A few months ago I was contacted by Jane asking about a Dream-Gamer unit for her son Callum. We talked about various possibilities and eventually we decided to try a mini-joystick to access his PlayStation 2.

Mark built the mini-joystick and we sent it for Callum to try. Today Jane sent me some comments:

After a few years of trying to find ways for our son Callum to play the PlayStation with the help of Dream-Gamer we have succeeded in our challenge and have an extremely happy gamer in the house, who can now compete with his dad and friends.

Callum has always loved cars and wanted to play rally games etc, but he found it very hard to keep the car on the road or even go in a straight line, as all the controls we tried were too fast or too sensitive.

I first contacted Mike from Dream-Racer in June to ask if I bought an item could I return it if it was not right for my son.  He instantly came back and said that we could trial some of the equipment to see which would be suitable!  We tried a couple of things, but unfortunately for Callum it was still very hard for him to be accurate.  I advised Mike from Dream-Racer and with his help and extreme patience, I explained that Callum had Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome, which has the mannerisms of Athetoid Cerebral Palsy (with a few extra habits added).  After hearing that Callum could use a remote control car quite accurately, he suggested trying the mini-mouse and advised me how to set it up. 

As you will see from the photos, we have set up the mini-joystick with 2 switches, the green one for go (forwards) and the red one for stop (reverse) the mouse is the steering.  It is so easy for Callum to use, he has been playing rally games and other road games, which all work with the system as it is all connected through a hand set for PlayStation, which has been specially made by Dream-gamer to use their Gamer equipment.

I cannot thank Mike from Dream-Racer enough, if it wasn't for him, I don't think we would have accomplished Callum's dream of being able to use the PlayStation.

Thank you Dream-Racer.

Jane & Dean Arnold & of course Callum

These are a few pictures of Callum using the Dream-Gamer mini-joystick.

Introducing the new guys: Cowley and Mongo the gorilla.

Cowley sings one of the most well know of children's songs "Old McDonald had a farm". Whilst he's singing his ears and mouth move in time with the music.

Mongo also sings a well know song "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands", As Mongo sings his mouth moves and, as you would expect, he claps his hands.

We'll adapt Cowley and Mongo in the same way as all the switch adapted Dream-Toys on our site. Essentially, each toy is turned-on and off by pressing the in-built switch in the toy's hand or foot or by pressing an external switch connected through the lead we attach to the toy.

These two toys are sure to be a bundle of fun.

We'll upload videos to Google as soon as possible but if you would like to see videos of the other Dream-Toys now, click on this link.

Mike

These are the links to the switch adapted musical toys we currently have available. They are all are loaded onto Google Video:

Links to switch adapted Christmas 2008 toys:

• Christmas Storytime bear
• Hip Hop Randy Christmas bear
• Goober (coming soon)

Links to all other switch adapted Dream-Toys:

• Arnold the snoring pig
• Allie G
• Sharpie
• Dunkster
• Sprout
• Nurserytime bear

We plan to add a few more toys to the range over the next few week. Have fun.

Mike