|
November 2005: Velcro - Where to get it, what to do with it
Velcro - where would we be without it? It really is a vital part of the kit for anybody working in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Whenever you need to attach an object, e.g. a switch, or printed symbol to a flat surface, so that it is secure, but not permanently attached, velcro is just the job!
IMPORTANT! Velcro comes in two main varieties - hook or loop. Each variety is designed to attach to the other, not to itself. You must have a policy to always use the same velcro variety for objects that you wish to attach. We strongly advise you to use hook velcro for objects and loop velcro for surfaces as many mounting boards are now supplied with a loop velcro surface.
Where to get it
If you just need a small quantity, you would be as well to get it from a local haberdasher - many newsagents also stock it. But if you are looking for bigger quantities you might need to turn to electronic component suppliers such as Maplin or CPC / Farnell. You can get a 1 m roll of 25 mm wide hook or loop velcro from Maplin for £1.29, while a 5 m roll of the same would cost £4.55 from CPC/Farnell.
For serious quantities, the best place to go is Spentex. They have a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colours at very reasonable prices, e.g. 25 m of 25 mm wide velcro for £15.57. Spentex also sell foam-backed looped nylon sheeting, originally designed for display boards, but ideal for making your own mounting boards.
What to do with it
The obvious uses are for attaching switches, devices, laminated symbols to various surfaces, etc. but there are lots more that you might not have thought about. Caroline Musselwhite from AAC Intervention in the USA has produced an excellent Velcro Ideas handout that is available as a PDF.
|
