This guide explains how to adapt a VTech Kidizoom Digital Camera for use with accessibility switches. One switch can then be used to take photos and short videos.

If you're an absolute beginner, we strongly recommend that you follow "The Basic Soldering Guide" - by Alan Winstanley.

SAFETY: Adapting equipment voids the manufacturer's guarantee, and the attempt may cause irreparable damage. Always use adapted equipment under supervision, and disconnect power when not in use. These adaptations are at your own risk. Good luck!

Most of the basic components used here are commonly available from Electronics stores such as Maplin Electronics and Farnell. The VTech Kidizoom Camera's are available widely in toy shops alongside the likes of Amazon and eBay.

Before you start

Accessibility switches are essentially simple on/off devices which connect to adapted equipment via 3.5mm sockets. Adding a socket in the VTech camera is a tight fit, so take your time, and be generous with the hot glue when the time comes. If adapting a different camera with even less space whilst roughly following this guide, you will likely need to bring out an external barrel switch socket. Not as strong, but should work just as well.

Image above is of a switch adapted VTech Kidizoom digital camera with yellow accessibility switch attached.

1. What you will need

1x VTech Kidizoom camera
1 x 3.5mm socket (e.g. Farnell "126-7396")

Soldering iron (15 to 30 Watt power); thin solder; soldering flux; thin wire (e.g. 10 strand 0.1mm), Shrink Wrap (optional).

Cordless drill with 7.5 mm drill bit; Knife or wire strippers; small screwdriver set; Needle nose pliers; Small hot glue gun; Small file set (optional).

2. Opening the camera

To open up the camera you will need to remove two blue rubber plugs and two silver plastic plugs from the rear casing (as encircled in yellow in the photo left).

Use a very thin flat screw-driver or a knife blade to prise these out, then use a small cross-headed screw-driver to remove the four screws underneath. Next carefully prise open the top half of the case.

3. The shutter button

The next job is to remove the shutter button and its little green PCB (printed circuit board) as pictured.

4. Drill hole

Make a pilot hole (using the soldering iron or a smaller drill bit) then carefully drill a 7.5mm hole as pictured. Use a file or knife to tidy up the hole.

5. Cut both wires

Cut the two black wires off as close to the PCB as you can. Strip the ends off both to expose the bare wires.

6. Wire up socket

Solder two short lengths of wire to your switch socket (as pictured). Use shrink wrap to seal the bare connections. Next fit the socket into the camera casing through the hole you've just made.

Solder the socket wires to the exposed wires of the camera. Use shrink wrap to insulate both sides.

7. Secure socket

Make a quick test of your socket using an accessibility switch with the power on. If all works as it should, power down, then pour hot glue all around the socket to secure and seal it in. Not pretty, but it works.

8. Testing

Fingers crossed all will be fine at this stage, thanks to your prior test. Worst case, you will need to cut out the hot glue to re-inspect and repair your work

From here you should be able to take photos, take films and even play one of the games. Happy snapping!

D.I.Y. Text and images PUBLIC DOMAIN 2010 - www.OneSwitch.org.uk

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