I have clients that have increased oral secretions and need to use switches. Can the switches get wet? How do you handle this type of situation?
Answer
The first thing I would do is contact the vendor to see if there are waterproof switches available. I would then look at positioning. Could I position away from their mouth, maybe on their cheek? Could I mount it differently, vertically versus flat? I would contact the vendor to research the different switch types as well as mounting options.
Cindy Nankee, OTR/L, ATP
Cindy has worked as a school based Occupational Therapist for 25+ years focusing on assistive technology early on in her career. For nine years she worked with the Wisconsin Assisive Technology Initiative (WATI) as an Assistive Technology Consultant and five years as the committee chairperson for the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Across the Lifespan Conference. Currently Cindy works as a private consultant providing assistive technology training, professional development and direct service. Cindy presents at local, state, national and international conferences on topics including Switch Accessibility, iPad learning, Video Self Modeling and Assistive technology for reading and writing.
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