Our Blog
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Microbit: Morse Code Typewriter
The Microbit board is a compact, feature-filled microcontroller designed for learning and prototyping projects. It features an ARM Cortex-M0 processor, a built-in 5×5 LED display, buttons, sensors, and wireless communication capabilities such as Bluetooth and radio. The board is user-friendly, making it an ideal choice for beginners and educators. The updated version of the board…
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Arcade Switch Accessible Gaming Hackathon
This March 25th, Zero Day Camp was happy to have hosted the first annual Arcade Switch Hackathon. Our platform of choice… Makecode Arcade! This hackathon was built around creating and building an ongoing repository of single or double switch activated games. Participants learned the basics of the Makecode platform using the Beginner Skills maps and…
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2nd Annual Toy Hackathon
The Makers Making Change holiday toy hackathon was back in full swing this year thanks to our good friends at MakerspaceNYC and Second Chance Toys. Through the generous donation from Second Change Toys, we were able to adapt 15 toys and counting that were delivered to local public school students. Toy adapting is the process…
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DIYAT: BluBit = Microbit Wireless Switch Access
Overview Mobile device and computer users with motor disabilities may have difficulty direct selecting and activating their devices. Switch access allows these users to access the operating system and software using either a single or multiple switches. This build uses Bill Seiver’s BLE HID (Human Interface Device) extension for the Microbit V2 to create a…
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Musical Tracer
Create a fun project to work on visual motor skills by tracing a path and playing some music at the same time. The project uses Adafruit’s RP2040 feather board at its core and uses Circuit Python for user-friendly code implementation. Once the tracer is built, customized conductive paths and pens may be created using paper…
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DIYAT: Coroplast Double Capacitive Switch
Learn how to build a double switch for computer or mobile access using a low cost Adafruit board and common household items. This switch provides a no pressure activation method.
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Holiday Adapted Toy Hackathon
On December 12th, 2021 the NYC chapter of Makers Making Change ran its first ever adapted toy hackathon at MakerspaceNYC in Brooklyn, NY. Through a generous donation of toys from Second Chance Toys, the chapter was able to adapt about 15 toys and distribute them to local organizations around the city. Makers Making Change aims…
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DIYAT: Foam Board Adapted Mouse
Learn about how to merge low tech supplies like foam board and an affordable board to create a custom mouse for young learners.
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DIYAT: Cardboard Enabled Switch
This project uses the materials readily available such as cardboard, bubble wrap, and foil to create a switch that can activate a computer or mobile device. The materials cost for this project is around $12. The programming is completed on Adafruit’s TrinketM0 board using the Maker MakeCode platform. MakeCode supports block-based programming which allows you…
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DIYAT: Two Switch Mouse Adaptation
This project is a great way to reuse some of your old mice sitting around and repurpose them as two switches for assistive technology users. The ergonomic design of the mouse helps support the arches in the hand while the two buttons provide a low activation force while supporting the hand. This adaption is similar…