DOUBLE SPATULA TURNER

Description: Nylon coated joined spatulas.  Detachable for single spatula use.

To Operate: Squeeze handles to close other spatula head on top of food item.  Flip food item while squeezing handles together.

Application:  Good for those with limited hand use and vision who lack the coordination and/or vision to locate or flip food items when cooking with a standard spatula.  Dark spatula provides good color contrast for frying and serving light colored foods.

Vendor(s):  Independent Living Aids     Approximate Cost:  $10.00
Available to borrow from the Adapted Activities Library

GOOD GRIPS COOKING UTENSILS

Description:  Utensils with ergonomically designed hand grips: soft, built-up and ribbed to reduce slippage.

To Operate: Easier to hold than standard utensils but otherwise use in the traditional manner.

Application:  Allows those with limited hand use to more safely and independently cut and peel during food preparation.

Vendor(s): North Coast Medical    Approximate Cost: $9.00 per utensil
Available to borrow from the Adapted Activities Library

ONE SWITCH SINGLE-APPLIANCE UNIT

Description:  Cordless control unit for enabling switch users.  Provides remote, on/off operation of an AC appliance of up to 600 watts (lamp, fan, food blender, hair dryer, etc) from a distance of up to 20 feet.  Comes with receiver and a transmitter that accepts an adapted switch.  Requires 2 AA batteries.

To Operate: Plug the appliance into the receiver and the receiver into a wall outlet.  Plug the enabling switch into the transmitter.  Activating the switch will run the appliance until the user turns it off by activating the switch again.  Transmitter does not have to be pointed directly at the device to turn it on/off.

Application:  Gives enabling switch users with  limited hand use the opportunity to turn on/off a wide variety of AC appliances and equipment.  Simple to operate transmitter may be helpful for individuals with limited memory/organization or limited vision.

Vendor(s):  Enabling Devices   Approximate Cost: $83.00
Available to borrow from the Adapted Activities Library

POURING CUP ON FLEX MOUNT

Description:  Removable measuring cup attached to a motorized rotating plate on a gooseneck arm. Base attaches to a variety of surfaces.  Operated by an enabling switch which is not included.

To Operate: Position cup over bowl and plug in switch.  Fill cup and depress switch to turn cup slowly and pour out contents.  Accepts second switch to turn cup in the reverse direction if desired.

Application:  Allows those with limited hand use and limited reaching/lifting to neatly and accurately pour.  Simplifies task for people with limited memory/organization.  Fun to watch ingredients flow into a bowl.  Can be used for craft activities as well.

Vendor(s):  Enabling Devices   Approximate Cost:   $120.00
Available to borrow from the Adapted Activities Library

POWERLINK 3 CONTROL UNIT

Description:  Environmental control unit that allows user to  operate up to 2 electrical appliances using a single enabling switch. Provides 1700 watts of power.

To Operate: Select the mode of switch control (direct, latch, or timer) to match the individual's need. Plug the switch and appliance into the control unit. Plug the control unit into the wall outlet.

Application: Control unit gives single enabling switch users with limited hand use and memory/organization the opportunity to participate in many activities. Unit also helps users who enjoy visual, auditory and tactile stimulation to activate sensory stimulation devices. Examples include cooking (turning on/off a blender), work (operating an electric stapler), recreation (listening to music on a tape recorder) and self care (operating a blow dryer).

Vendor(s): AbleNet Inc    Approximate Cost:  $182.00
Available to borrow from the Adapted Activities Library

SINGLE SWITCH LATCH & TIMER

Description:  Control unit that allows user to activate a battery-operated device using an enabling switch.  Unit has 3 settings (timed seconds; timed minutes; latch on/off).  Settings determine the amount of time the device operates once the individual activates the switch.  Must be used with a battery device adapted or a pre-adapted toy/device.  Requires 9 volt battery.  Other models are available offering more features, such as dual switch input.

To Operate: Plug the individual's enabling switch into the control unit.  Plug the control unit into the battery-operated device.  Turn dial to the desired setting (timer; latch).

Application:  Control unit gives users with limited hand use, vision, and memory/organization the ability to operate any battery-operated device with an enabling switch.  Settings enable an activity to be set up in a variety of ways to help each individual.  For example, using the timer provides multiple opportunities to use the switch to activate a favorite device.  Unit can also make sensory activities more effective for individuals who benefit from visual, auditory and tactile stimulation.

Vendor(s):  AbleNet, Inc.   Approximate Cost: $72.00
Available to borrow from the Adapted Activities Library