----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 7:23 PM Subject: Re: question about fabricating low tech devices
> > Hi everyone, I am an educator in an OTA program looking for information on > what types of adaptations or low tech assistve technology OT's are doing > out there...we are trying to figure out how to still give students the > experience of working with various media, encourage problem solving and > creativity, and create something useful that they may actually need to > fabricate again. For smaller projects we already have them making U cuffs, > simple splints, built up handles, a one handed nail clipper attached to a > board,etc. Bigger things included adapted cutting boards, lap trays, > positioning devices for children, etc. These are cumbersome and graduate > feedback is that they never need to make the bigger projects again after > they leave here. So we are hoping to incorporate some new smaller projects > that better reflect the types of problem solving and creativity that might > be required of them in a variety of practice settigns. Any suggestions? > It seems like there is so much available now to the public that a lot of > the things we have come up with are things people just buy for themselves > now instead of having the OT create.. Maybe - but these devices may only be available in your home, school or personal workplace - often you can't or don't want to carry all of them around when visiting friends and family etc. Or what you buy is not quite right for your needs - or maybe unnescessary complicated and expensive. So, cheap low tech devices and ideas are still very much needed. Things that come to my mind: Quad-cuff for holding electrical toothbrush - (those that you buy don't alow the toothbrush to be turned while brushing). Making simple mouth sticks and typing sticks. You need a lot lying around since they also work for telephone, remote controls, pageturning etc. Learning how to mount a line switch on an electric cord and fasten it where it can be reached from a wheelchair. Setting up e.g. a whole computer system to be started from such one. Learning ways to set up both software, hardware and workplace, so a shared (family or workplace) computer will also offer reasonable access for a disabled person. Sowing bags in needed size and fashion for needed placement on wheelchair or walker - choosing right closing mechanism etc. Adapted or adaptive clothing. Devices for pressure relief, e.g. for heels or malleols while in bed. Setting up things so a person can do certain things while in bed, with little or no use of their arms - like: Rearranging sheets, drinking, accessing remote controls and switches. Will often take some low tech to get to the high tech. Learning how to make an inaccesible place work temporary for a disabled person. How do you eat, when your wheelchair doesn't fit under the table? How do you get through a door that is too narrow for your wheelchair? Tips and tricks! Build up handles and U-cuffs are still very much needed. Same reason as above - making the DA-person able to function more independantly in surroundings that are not totally set up or modified to meet their needs. The idea of "visitability" is important. People with disabilities do have friends, family, lovers... I've helped build a few simple ramps too for homes where wheelchair users visit often. Of course these projects should only be done in close cooperation with the user and the family etc. First, to make sure it's the right thing for the right situation, next to facilitate that they might solve their next problem independantly, having learned the process. Best wishes susanne, denmark *********��*********** Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist ** List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] *********��***********
