Switch Adapted Tornado Lamp

The Switch Adapted Tornado Lamp is a commercially available Ricochet Tornado Lamp from Canadian Tire that has been adapted to be used with one 3.5 mm assistive switch for alternative access. The toy has lights that slowly change colour and the water spins and forms a tornado inside while the switch is held.

This device is part of our collection of adapted toys. This means the toys are made more accessible by adding assistive switch inputs.

Plug in a 3.5 mm assistive switch to the mono jack added to the toy.

To use the toy, activate the assistive switch, and the toy will respond as if you have pressed the original button. The toy will light up, and a motor will start running that will create a tornado effect.

This adapted toy may be suitable for individuals with physical or developmental disabilities who are unable to activate small buttons on standard toys. It supports users who rely on one assistive switch due to limited fine motor control, strength, or coordination.

Switch-adapted toys can promote independent play, cause-and-effect learning, and accessible engagement for children and adults who use switch-based access methods.

To adapt the toy, you must be able to strip wires, operate a drill, and solder.

This build involves disassembling the toy, soldering in one mono jack, and reassembling the toy.

Detailed step-by-step instructions are available at the Project Link or via the Download Link (requires log-in).

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