Designing AT

 After experimenting and learning about many of the Assistive Technology products LifeTec has on offer, I am now much more aware of the demand for these kind of products. Although the demand is high for these products it is disappointing to learn the extreme costs that these products involve and the very minimum funding that comes from the government. Many of these designs amazed me however, many of the people that desperately need them do not have the money to afford them. 

When designing for the disabled we must always keep this in mind:

“The goal is to find a product or piece of equipment to suit the individual’s needs, and not to fit the individual to the piece of equipment”

Each user is different and has adjusted differently to their disability. We were told 50% of AT purchased is abandoned because the user can not adapt to the new product or is does not totally suit their needs. My mind is now opened to AT design- and I now have the opportunity to design AT and to also keep the disabled in mind when designing any type of product. If i can help to assist the disabled in designing more efficient or more affordable products it would be an incredible accomplishment.

Exploring LifeTec.

There were many intelligent and interesting designs at LifeTec- each help to assist people with disabilities making it easier/possible for them to do everyday tasks. I experimented with the following products:

Nose Cup

This cup was designed for people who have difficultly tilting their head backwards, or have no control over the movement in their head. The cut out section allows the users nose further in the cup- meaning a head tilt is less likely needed to get all of the liquid.

Swinging Cupboard

This cupboard insert was designed for people who are restricted to a wheelchair. It goes inside of a knee-high cupboard and has multiple sections at different heights allowing the user to fill the racks up like a pantry. To access all sections the user simply pushes the insert and it moves 360 degrees making it very easy to reach anything that is desired. Could this take over the standard cupboard?? This does make use easier for everyone..

Hair Washer

This product was designed for users who have restricted movement in their arms or who have only one arm. Apply shampoo to washer then use with alternative hand. The long arm of the washer aids the user making it a lot easier to reach the hair. Such a simple yet effective product- I imagine that this makes washing hair A LOT easier for the intended user.

Chopping Board

This chopping board was designed for users who have one hand. It provides different functions allowing the user to peel and chop up food on the board. When I tested this board I successfully peeled a carrot and cut up a potato only using one hand. It wasn’t as fast as usual but it was definitely possible. 

(Image isn’t the exact board I used).

D-Line Automatic Chopsticks

Another example of how disabled design can be very useful for everyone. These chopsticks are somewhat automatic- as always bring themselves back together. There have been a number of times where I have embarrassed myself using chopsticks- these would of come in VERY useful.

Grip on plate

This is not something I’ve considered before. How do people with one hand tilt there plate to get the last little bits of food from their meals.. This grip makes it simple as they now have a barrier to push the cutlery against, keeping it on their plate and forcing it onto the fork/spoon. Such a basic, simple and very needed product.