Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Game Adaptations
As we wrap up our month of DIY projects, this week's issue will cover game adaptations you can make yourself. Let those creative juices start flowing!
This issue was submitted by Leslie Ermolovich, ATP; A.T Access Specialist serving Chittenden, Addison, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. Please note that this is not an endorsement of these products, and that we do not have a financial tie to these companies.
The Vermont Assistive Technology Program can be contacted by phone at 1-800-750-6355, or by email at dail.atinfo@vermont.gov. More information about our program can be found at www.atp.vermont.gov. We are currently conducting virtual Assistive Technology Demonstrations. Our equipment loan program is on hold until further notice.
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This is a great adaptation for game boards and playing pieces for both children and adults. Just make them magnetic! Using a strong adhesive, such as Gorilla Glue, attach the bottom side of two appropriately-sized cookie sheets on the back of the game board. Be sure to place them along side the fold in the board, and not over the fold, so that the game board can still fold in half. Using the same glue, attach magnets to the bottoms of the playing pieces. If the pieces are shiny and smooth, rough them up a little with some sand paper first so that the magnets will adhere better with the glue. Then turn the game board over, add the playing pieces, and start playing! The magnetism will keep the pieces on the board so that the individual only has to push the piece along the path on the board, instead of having to lift and place the piece on the board.
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Are your dice too small to be able to pick them up and/or toss them? Are you concerned about small dice being a choking hazard? Here's a simple solution to resolve these issues: just place the dice in a clean, empty plastic jar and use a strong adhesive, such as Gorilla Glue, to seal the lid shut. The individual can then shake the jar and place it back down on the table, or pick it up and drop it on the table or floor, or just push the jar off the edge of the table and let it fall on the floor. The clear plastic makes it easy to see through to see what you "rolled." You can also do this with large dice too.
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Having trouble holding on to all of those cards when playing a card game? There are many store bought playing card holders on the market, but here's one you can make yourself! Just take an empty egg carton, flip it upside down, and cut some slits in it to hold your cards. Easy peasy!
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Adaptation for Small Toys
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Kids love to play "pretend" games with their toys, but some children are unable to hold onto the toy because of their disability or the toy's small size. Here's an inexpensive solution for making pretend play easier. First, pick up some FREE paint stirrer sticks from your local hardware store. Then, using a strong adhesive such as Gorilla Glue, attach the small toy on the end of the stick. The child can then grasp/grip the stick with their hand to participate in play with their peers, waving it in the air or moving it along the floor. If the stick is too flat to grasp, you can cut a piece of a pool noodle and slide it over the end of the stick. This would give them a chunkier surface to grip. If the child cannot grasp the stick with either of these adaptations, you can also glue the toy to a block of wood that they can push around on their play surface to join in the fun!
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Gaming Adaptation for Switches
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Do you use switches for gaming? Are you handy wiith woodworking? This a great adaptation for organizing your switches for easy access while playing video games. It's a simple, angled board/stand for mounting your gaming switches on the front. You can also drill holes on the face of the stand to feed the switch wires through. Then wrap each wire with a cable tie on the back of the stand, making them compact and keeping them out of the way while you're gaming. Adding a little shelf on the front is the perfect solution for supporting a bigger switch such as the Microsoft Adaptive Controller for Xbox. The smaller switches can be mounted with strips of hook-and-loop fastener, labeled with vinyl letters (that are available in different colors and sizes), and organized to coincide with where they are located on a typical controller. These color "Buddy Button" switches were purchased, but you can refer back to our September 8th DIY Newsletter to learn how you can make your own switch!
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The Vermont Assistive Technology Program is part of the Vermont State Government’s Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. The Vermont Assistive Technology Program partners with the University of Vermont’s Center on Disability and Community Inclusion to provide assistive technology services.
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