NARBE Foundation | News and Updates

DIY Guide: How to Build Benny’s 2-Switch Kit  At the NARBE Foundation , our mission is simple: make accessibility open, low-cost, and available to absolutely everyone. We’ve heard from amazing communities in Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and Mexico asking how they can replicate our setup. Because we can’t ship physical kits outside of the United States, we wanted to put the power directly into your hands. The best news? Our entire system is completely open-source.  Our switch kits cost about $60 to put together (In the U.S.), compared to $200 or more from other manufacturers. Benny's switch kit is a simple set of physical buttons that allows someone with limited mobility to control a web app using just one or two movements. Instead of a keyboard or mouse, a person can press a large button with their hand, foot, elbow, or any movement that works for them. Benny's Hub is a free website hosted by the NARBE Foundation , where people who use one or two switches can play games...

When you're just starting to look into assistive technology for a loved one, the options can feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin? What's worth the money? Is there a way to try something before you buy it? We recently came across a resource that answers a lot of those questions in one place, and we wanted to share it with our community. First, a quick glossary If you're new to this world, you'll run into a lot of acronyms and jargon. Here are some of the most common terms you'll see, both on Explore AT and across the AT space in general: AT (Assistive Technology): Any device, software, or equipment that helps a person with a disability do something they otherwise couldn't, or do it more easily. This can be as simple as a grab bar in a bathroom or as advanced as a speech-generating computer. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication): Tools and strategies that help people communicate when speech alone isn't enough. AAC can be low-tech, like a ...

The NARBE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to share free and low cost switch accessible games and tools, provide helpful resources in assistive tech, and donate hardware to families and supporters of people with disabilities so they can play games and connect with the world through technology.  Below are some links that might be helpful to you. 🌐 OUR WEBSITE Find information about our nonprofit, contact info, resources, and more. 🔗 narbefoundation.org 🎮 BENNY'S ACCESSIBILITY HUB A growing library of free tools and games focused on switch access. The hub can also be navigated with a mouse, Spacebar and Enter on a keyboard, or with adapted switches. This is a direct link to the free web app. No downloads or sign up required. 🔗 narbefoundation.org/bennyshub/ 🚀 GETTING STARTED New to switch access and not sure where to begin? This page will help you get started.  We always recommend consulting a Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Assistive...