[games_access] Accessible Controller Providers

[Michelle Hinn]

True, Barrie -- the Staples buttons were more of a joke but every time I see them I can help but think of switches! :)

Yeah, the main issue is really quality and the fact that if you need to buy quite a few...well, that cost is a huge barrier for gaming and other things for so many people. Buy enough cheaper switches and you might as well have invested in the more expensive ones -- it might save you money in the long run. At least with the switches, the technology isn't dependent on the continuing changes in game consoles and controllers...so far.

Michelle

On Jan 12, 2011, at 2:03 PM, Barrie Ellis wrote:

> I would say that AbleNet switches are many many times better quality than the Staples buttons, with the large ones having about twice the surface area. I looked at adapting those red buttons, but they're very poorly made, and wouldn't suit .
>  
> Gavin Philips posted a nice D.I.Y. guide to build a sub $10/£6 switch using CD's: http://www.gavinphilips.com/projects/cdswitch
>  
> And these are a bit more: http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/4/DIY/switches.htm (illuminated switch) - http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/4/DIY/switches-suckpuff.htm (sip-puff switch).
>  
> AbleNet have been knocking out that particular design of "Big-Red" type switches for about 20 years. Agree they are expensive, but they do tend to last a long time. I've got a couple that are at least 12 years old and still going strong. Sometimes you're paying for quality. It just hurts when a tailor built set-up can end up costing hundreds and even thousands of pounds.
>  
> Cheers,
>  
> Barrie
>  
>  
>  
>  
> 
> From: Michelle Hinn
> Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 7:06 PM
> To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [games_access] Accessible Controller Providers
> 
> I agree -- the cost of switches are pretty outragious and for many people more than one switch needs to be bought in order to work with an accessible controller that allows the plug in of switches. I understand the supply/demand process and that the more individualized a controller has to be, the higher the costs (since those are custom made)...but when you add the cost of those to the additional costs of the switches?? Crazy. And not all controllers -- videogame or otherwise -- can accept the USB format but I still don't understand how the pricing structure is justified. Even the largest of the switches that some people need that look like the Staples office supply "easy button" cannot cost that much for the "shell" of the switch.
> 
> I mean switches are used for ALL KINDS of things and the big companies like AbleNet that provide those really have the pricing set high and I'm not sure why. Perhaps there's a connection to insurance -- if switches can be taken off of insurance because it's used for something on their list as an "ok" deduction, the incentive for lowering the prices goes down like with any other medical supply. I don't really know the answer. 
> 
> I know...I'm no economist or manufacturer of these devices but I definitely would be interested in why it costs so much for these.
> 
> Michelle
> 
> On Jan 12, 2011, at 12:28 PM, Tim Holt wrote:
> 
>> Now if the prices on controllers were more realistic.  Given that a $US 3.95 USB mouse has about the same functionality (more actually) as a USB-enabled 1 switch, it's mind boggling how much switches cost. 
>> 
>> Tim
>> 
>> On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 9:49 AM, Tara Tefertiller <ttefertiller at igda-gasig.org> wrote:
>> Thank you Barrie!
>> 
>> 
>> On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 7:10 AM, Barrie Ellis <oneswitch at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Lots of useful shopping links via http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/1/AGS.htm - including LEPMIS, Broadened Horizons, Consoles and Gadgets etc. Places for mods here: http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/1/AGS/AGS-bespoke.htm - And depending on what you're after, eBay can even be quite good.
>>  
>> Best wishes,
>>  
>> Barrie
>>  
>> 
>> From: Tara Tefertiller
>> Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 6:27 PM
>> To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List
>> Subject: [games_access] Accessible Controller Providers
>> 
>> Hey everyone, 
>> 
>> I was recently asked where accessible controllers could be ordered from. I know they can be ordered from One Switch and Evil controllers will do some mods, but what are additional places they can be ordered? I wanted to get together a list a present that        if it's possible.
>> 
>> 
>> Thanks everyone!
>> 
>> Tara
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> games_access mailing list
>> games_access at igda.org
>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> games_access mailing list
>> games_access at igda.org
>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> games_access mailing list
>> games_access at igda.org
>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> games_access mailing list
>> games_access at igda.org
>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> games_access mailing list
> games_access at igda.org
> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
> _______________________________________________
> games_access mailing list
> games_access at igda.org
> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://pairlist7.pair.net/pipermail/games_access/attachments/20110112/24dd8fa7/attachment.htm>