In preparation for the BCTECH Summit’s Youth Innovation Day (new window), Microsoft Vancouver staff will learn how to build adaptative switches. Switches are used by people with disabilities that may not be able to access traditional input methods to access electronics. Think of a video game controller… how would you play, if you were unable to hold a remote or press the buttons?

As part of this session, each participant will solder components, assemble mechanical parts, build one of these simple switches, and be able to test it on an adaptive video game, adapted toy, or other input device used by people with disabilities. They are then asked to help at the BCTECH Summit Youth Innovation Day on March 12, when this event will be run at a much larger scale with over 150 youth coming to learn how to build these in an hour and a half.