1. Connecting a Switch to a Computer An EveryoneCan Production Brought to you by Rebecca Kowalczyk, OTR/ Assistive Technology Consultant at CESA 10 © 2008 Cooperative Educational Service Agency 10

2. Programmable vs. Dedicated Interfaces A switch interface is what is used to connect a switch to a computer. There are two types of switch interfaces - dedicated and programmable.

3. Programmable Interfaces A programmable interface enables you to set up each of the switches to send any key press or mouse click to your computer. For help with using programmable interfaces, please contact Rebecca Kowalczyk.

4. Dedicated Switches Dedicated switch interfaces are not programmable and can only perform the options provided.

5. There are many different styles of dedicated switch interfaces. Below are two options.

6. As seen below this model has 5 ports which allow a user to access up to five different switches. The switch jack is inserted into the corresponding port that the computer’s program specifies.

7. To select the horizontal row (color coded with same colored light to same colored row) press button on top of the interface. For example the red light on picture below indicates red row in use. Note that some interface models have a slightly different setup.

8. The following slides demonstrate how to connect the switch to the interface and the interface to the computer.

9. This is the USB end of the switch interface.

10. Find the USB port on your computer.

11. Insert switch interface USB into computer USB port. Your computer does not need to install anything.

12. Insert switch jack into specified interface port.

13. When inserting jack into port it selects the vertical line of options that it is under. In the example below the blue light is on. Follow the blue line over till you meet up with the vertical line of the inserted jack. Where they intersect is the selected choice.

14. You have now successfully connected a computer to a switch! Be sure to check with program specifications to ensure you are inserting switch jack into correct port. If the program you are accessing still does not work check to make sure you have correct interface as some programs are interface specific as well.

15. For additional information please contact Rebecca Kowalczyk, OTR/Assistive Technology Consultant at rkowalczyk@cesa10.k12.wi.usrkowalczyk@cesa10.k12.wi.us A special thank you to Jake Elhert, Jan Adams, and Val Knobloch for their help and guidance. ROYALTY FREE MUSIC provided by Soundzabound