Page turners enable an individual to turn pages using a switch or a hand clip with a rubber tipped arm that grips the page. Some page turner designs include:
- automatic electronic page turners that can be operated with a range of switches or sensors
- a page turner with switch activation that allows turning of a single page or a series of five pages
- rubber tipped hand held page turner requiring no grip
- a page turner which can be operated using a joystick, scanning controller, multi switch or infrared receiver.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Turning pages of a book can often be difficult for people with a physical impairment due to reduced range of movement, weakness, pain, and/or reduced grip strength.
For people who need to access hard copy materials within the workplace such as training manuals, photocopies, files or other printed material, use of a page turner may assist with increasing independence and productivity if experiencing difficulties with this task. An alternative method is to scan all hard copy documents and view these via the computer using specialised software:
References
Independent Living Centre NSW 2009, Page turner, Independent Living Centre NSW, Parramatta, viewed 17 May 2011, http://www.ilcnsw.asn.au/minor_groups/298/grid/1.
LifeTec Queensland 2008, Reading and writing equipment, Lifetec Queensland, viewed 17 May 2011, http://www.lifetec.org.au/_uploads/factsheets/ReadingandWritingEquipment_elec.pdf
Zygo Industries, Inc. 2011, BLV/6D Page Turner, Zygo Industries, Inc., California, viewed 17 May 2011, http://www.zygo-usa.com/blv6.html.