Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology
Screenshot of Instructables website displaying assistive technology projects
Gifting Guide Day 20: Workshop DIY Gifts

Holiday Gifting Guide: DIY Assistive Technology Gifts

Nothing beats a holiday gift that someone has taken the time to make just for you! We have a whole lot of creative problem solvers and makers around our office and workshop, and many of us turn to the Instructables website for ideas on how to help people with disabilities.

Two rehabilitation engineers making a custom chair by grinding parts to shape in the rehabilitation engineering workshop.

Here is a sample of some projects that  you could make (or ask Santa to make) as assistive technology.

Motorized Light Bulb Changer:

https://www.instructables.com/Motorized-Light-Bulb-Changer/

DIY motorized light bulb changer from the Instructables website.

This project was developed by a gentleman who needed a way to change lightbulbs from a 2 story high chandelier, but someone in a wheelchair or of short stature could benefit from such a device. It contains a small motor, some other light electrical parts, some 3D printed parts, and a painter’s pole.

PVC Therapy Trike:

https://www.instructables.com/PVC-Therapy-Trike/

Volunteer build PVC tricycle being ridden by a child with special needs.

Instructions to build this child’s adapted tricycle were posted by volunteers for the Utah Assistive Technology Program. The adapted trike can be built for around $400 in materials, and is designed for children form ages 2 to 5 years, weighing under 50 pounds. Parts can be purchased from your local hardware store, or a kit can be purchased from www.uatpat.org .

Child’s Coloring Table:

https://www.instructables.com/Childs-Coloring-Table-Upcycled-From-Old-Side-Table/

DIY paper roll coloring table from the Instructables website.

I mentioned in a previous post how beneficial a table that holds rolled paper can be for children and adults with disabilities who which to draw, color, or paint. This project shows how one maker converted an old side table into an inexpensive coloring table.

WheeStroll- Wheelchair Stroller Attachment:

https://www.instructables.com/WheeStroll-Wheelchair-Stroller-Attachment/

Man with DIY wheelchair mounted baby carrier, make from electrical conduit and an infant car seat.

This is a really neat project where a maker designed a system to attach an infant car seat to a wheelchair. The design combines off the shelf parts with some 3D printed brackets, and in beautiful in it’s simplicity.

Wheelchair Accessible Planter:

https://www.instructables.com/Wheelchair-Accessible-Planter/

Home build wheelchair accessible garden planter

These plans show how to build a planter that was used at a community garden for wheelchair accessibility. I like that it is deeper than most other designs I have seen, but still provide for knee space due to the way the bottom slopes. It is a nice design.

Doorbell Room Light:

https://www.instructables.com/Hearing-Impaired-Doorbell-Room-Light-Hack/

Woman who is deaf with a doorbell light flasher while her son is outside trying to get her attention.

This project was developed by a young man whose parents could not hear the door bell ring. The standard wireless door bell flasher was not working, so he decided to make something that would flash the room lights. This is a great project for someone who wants to learn more about electronics, programming, and soldering.

Guitar Tuner for People who are Blind:

https://www.instructables.com/Guitar-Tuner-for-the-Blind-using-an-Arduino/

Electronic guitar tuner that has been modified for people who are blind.

This is another great electronics project where a commercially available electronic guitar tuner has been modified with an Arduino microcontroller to change the visual output on the tuner to be played as tones through an earpiece.

Keep on Making!

Rehabilitation engineer Michael Papp displaying a custom made wood turning gouge with extra long handle.

I’ve always enjoyed making things in the workshop, and I have found common products can be easily tweaked to improve their form and fit for specific individuals. For example, I can make tool handles on chisels, screw drivers, and hammers thicker for some one with dexterity issues or arthritis. I can make wood turning gouges with longer handles for someone who might need to use a lathe while sitting in a wheelchair. Sometimes making your own assistive devices is the only way to meet a specific person’s need.

I could go on and on about all the cool projects on the Instructables website. It has something for every type of maker, whether you cook, sew, enjoy woodworking, gardening, electronics, programming, and especially for teachers. https://www.instructables.com/

Farmer sitting on knee scooter leaning over potted plants
Gifting Guide Day 9: Gadgets for Gardeners

Do ya dig these tools for gardening?

Gardening can be a relaxing and rewarding experience for everyone. However, there are some gardening activities that can be a hassle for people with various limitations. Below are some ideas of products that can help your outdoor hobbyist.

Gardening tools with upright handles

Ergonomic Tools

  • Unique Upright Handle: Unique upright handle with non-slip grip provides the natural way to hold a tool that keeps the hand and wrist in a natural and comfortable position,improve leverage, making it easier and less painful to use garden tools.These tools help take the strain and discomfort out of gardening from using traditional hand tools.
  • Scope of Application: Perfect for anyone who loves gardening but has trouble with traditional, straight-handled gardening tools due to long-term finger/hand joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis or related conditions.

Find out more at Amazon.

Lady sitting on a stool leaning over potted plant

Portable Seat/Stool

  • 60% of people over the age of 55 experiences osteoarthritis, knee and hip pain. It can be frustrating to live with the chronic pain of these ailments. However, you don’t have to give up your green thumb due to these issues. With Multi-functional Kneeler & Seat, you can keep doing what you love with minimal pain or no pain at all. These items can also help aging seniors assess household tasks that may require getting down low to reach areas.

Find out more and where to buy at Home And Garden Trends.

Farmer sitting on knee scooter leaning over potted plants

Knee Scooter

  • Eliminates strain caused by kneeling, squatting, and stooping
  • Simplifies even the most tedious tasks
  • Smoothly operates on nearly any surface

Find out more and where to buy at Gardeners Edge.

Long Handled Weed Puller

  • Get rid of weeds without risking your back with this long handled weeding tool. The 39” tall handle lets you remove the weeds without having to bend over or go down to your knees. The foot pedal lets you put enough force on the weed remover to penetrate the ground and grab the whole weed, including the roots, so it doesn’t grow back.

Find out more at Amazon.

Storage Caddy

  • Tired of struggling and juggling your shovel, rake, hand tools and supplies out to the garden? Or making multiple trips back and forth? This easy-roll caddy keeps tools organized in the shed. Then, when it’s time to head out to the garden, just roll the caddy where you need it and you’re ready to go. Includes 5-gallon bucket with fabric pocket organizer for small tools, a small bucket for carrying other supplies, vegetables, mulch and more. The top ring corrals long-handled tools.

Find out more and where to buy at Gardener’s Supply Company.

Raised Beds

  • Waist-high box eases knee and back strain
  • The height of the planter box has other advantages too: fewer weeds, reduced maintenance, and nowhere near as many critters nibbling at your prize plants. 

Find out more and where to buy at Gardener’s Supply Company.

Robot Lawn Mower

  • The WORX Landroid S is here to give larger lawn owners their weekends back. It comes with a robust 6.0Ah high-capacity Power Share battery and a wider 8-in. cutting width to mow up to a 1/8 acre. You’ll never have to cut your lawn again once you set up your Landroid. Just place the charging base, lay the boundary wire around the perimeter of your lawn and secure it with pegs, and finish setup on the handy Landroid App. You can even control Landroid and schedule mowing times from the App, without ever getting off your couch. It’s packed with cutting-edge tech to ensure it does a good job and leaves you with a lawn you can be proud of. 

Find out more and where to buy at Home Depot.

Robot Weeder

  • This one is new to me! How about a robot weed puller? How awesome to get a little help maintaining the tedious task of weeding.

Find out more and where to buy at Amazon.

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Do you have a favorite gardening product that you’d like to share about? Comment below!

Did you enjoy this training module? Please complete our participant survey to help us with our federal reporting.

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This list is provided for informational purposes only as APTAT does not endorse specific products or brands. When purchasing be sure to thoroughly research the product features to ensure it will meet your individual needs.

a collage of easy see tape measure, talking tape measure, and laser measure
Gifting Guide Day 3: Tools To Make DIY Easier

Your favorite DIYer needs these tools!

DIY can be fun but super tedious if you’re battling certain limitations. The “tools” for a successful project are endless so here are just a few options that come to mind.

Drill Guide

  • A drill guide can help if it’s difficult to keep the drill upright or in place.

Adaptive Scissors

  • Easy grip scissors can be safer and easier to manipulate with hand weakness.
  • PRO TIP: Be sure you’re using the right scissors for the job!

Electric Screwdriver

  • One of my favorite tools!
  • An electric screwdriver is perfect for those tasks where a drill has a bit too much power but a using a manual screwdriver might be tedious, fatiguing, or painful.
  • PRO TIP: Don’t forget the bits!

Measuring Devices

  • An easy see tape measure, talking tape measure, or laser measure can help where taking measurements might be physically, cognitively, or visually difficult to achieve.
  • PRO TIP: Pick a laser measure that connects to an app to log the measurements or aid in drawing room layouts!

Magnifying Light

  • Lighting is an important part of any workshop. If it’s difficult to see your project it can be unsafe and discouraging. Select a magnifying lamp for tasks that require fine motor or delicate attention.
  • An articulating arm on a clamp can make it easy to position the lamp anywhere in your workshop.

Return to Gifting Guide

Do you have a favorite workshop product that you’d like to share about? Comment below!

Did you enjoy this training module? Please complete our participant survey to help us with our federal reporting.

Follow us on social media to keep up with the latest on the Gifting Guide!

This list is provided for informational purposes only as APTAT does not endorse specific products or brands. When purchasing be sure to thoroughly research the product features to ensure it will meet your individual needs.

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