Accessible Toe Switch With Interchangeable Lever

This is an accessible toe switch designed to let a user control a game input using their foot or toe instead of a keyboard, mouse, or standard controller button.

The switch is made from two main 3D printed components: a housing and a lever. The lever slides into the housing through a slot at the bottom. A small button is placed inside the cutout between the lever and housing. This button acts both as the electrical switch and as part of the mechanical joint that holds the lever in place.

When the user presses down on the lever with their toe, the switch has a two-stage click:

1. The first press brings the lever into contact with the button.
2. The second press fully engages the button and sends the input.

This design is useful because different levers can be printed with different resistance levels. That means the switch can be adjusted for different users depending on how much force they can comfortably apply.

This device is for people who may have difficulty using small hand-controlled inputs, such as keyboard keys, mouse buttons, or controller buttons. A toe switch gives the user another way to interact with a computer or game using a larger, more accessible motion.

Accessibility problem solved:

Standard controllers and keyboards often require precise finger movement. This toe switch allows a user to activate a game input with their foot or toe, making the control larger, simpler, and easier to position.

Supplies

Xbox adaptive controller

XBAC on Bestbuy

Filament

Used to 3D print the housing and lever

PLA filament on Amazon

Tactile push button (12mmx12mm)

Sends the input when the lever is pressed

Tactile push buttons on Amazon

Hookup wire

Connects the button to the input cable or board

Hookup wire on Amazon

3.5 mm audio jack cable or input cable

Carries the switch signal to the device being controlled

3.5mm audio cable on Amazon

Heat shrink tubing (optional)

Protects and strengthens the wire connection

Heat shrink tubing on Amazon

Solder,

Creates electrical connection

Lead-free solder on Amazon

Tools

3D printer

Computer

Wire stripper

Soldering iron

Heat gun (for heat shrink)

The toe switch is built from two main 3D printed parts: the housing and the lever.

The housing is the outer rectangular body of the switch. It protects the button and gives the device a stable shape. The lever is the moving part that the user presses with their toe.

The lever slides into the housing through the slot at the bottom. The housing and lever both have cutouts that line up with the button and wire path.

Why this step matters:

The housing gives the switch structure, while the lever makes the button easier to press. Instead of pressing a tiny button directly, the user presses a larger lever with their toe.

After printing both parts, slide the lever into the housing through the bottom slot.

Before wiring the button, feed the wires through the cutout at the bottom of the housing and lever.

The wire path is important because the wires need to reach the button without blocking the movement of the lever. In this design, the cutout allows the wires to pass through the bottom while keeping the switch compact.

Why this step matters:

The wires need a clear path so they do not get pinched or pulled loose. A clean wire path also makes the final switch more durable.

Next, solder the two wires to the button.

The button works by closing a circuit when it is pressed. One wire connects to one side of the button, and the second wire connects to the other side. When the lever presses the button, the circuit closes and sends the input signal.

For this switch, I used two wires:

1. Blue wire: side 1 of the button
2. Purple wire: side 2 of the button

The color does not matter as long as each wire is connected to the correct button contacts.

Why this step matters:

The button is the part that creates the actual electrical input. The housing and lever create the accessible movement, but the button is what sends the signal.

After wiring the button, place it into the cutout where the lever and housing meet.

In this design, the button does two jobs:

1. It acts as the electrical switch.
2. It helps hold the lever and housing together as part of the joint.

The lever presses against the button when force is applied from above. This creates the clicking action.

After the button was installed, I connected the wires to the input cable.

In my setup, the switch connects through a cable so it can send the button press to the XBAC. The wire connection was covered with heat shrink tubing to protect it and reduce strain on the wires.