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An independent assessment and engineering service for persons with a disability who require Special Controls
in order to be able to access powered wheelchair mobility or other Assistive Technology.

Examples of Appropriate Technology

1)

A profoundly disabled client wished to be able to switch on her computer. The ON/OFF button was about 1cm in diameter and the client's pointing accuracy was not sufficient to the task and required considerable effort.

Solution

A piece of rigid clear plastic, about 8cm square was positioned over the button and adhesive tape was applied along the top edge to form a hinge. Now the target area is much larger and the client no longer has any difficulties with this button.

2)

A profoundly disabled young client was trying to use a switch placed upon the top of his computer desk so that he could access his computer for games and communication etc. Due to the restricted movement of the client's arms, the client was having to lean way over to his left in order to raise his hand sufficiently to be able to get above the switch on the top of the desk. This was requiring considerable effort.

Solution

It was observed that when at rest, the client's hands hung down by his sides. I opened the bottom draw of the desk and placed my (A4+ sized) tool kit across it. The switch was then positioned on the tool kit and all the client had to do was to flex his hand a little to press the switch. This he was able to do with great ease and with probably a twenty fold increase in speed of access.

2)

A young woman in a weelchair had a table which was too low to be able to get underneath due to its design. She wanted to be able to use her laptop, but due to her condition she could not reach forward to access it conmortably or safely. The table top height was correct, but needed to be bigger.

Solution

A new table top was manufactured that met her size requirements, and was clamped onto the original table top without having to make any alterations to the original table. Instructions and limitations for use were provided. See the pictures here.

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1)	A profoundly disabled client wished to be able to switch on her computer. The ON/OFF button was about 1cm in diameter and the client's pointing accuracy was not sufficient to the task and required considerable effort.
Solution
	A piece of rigid clear plastic, about 8cm square was positioned over the button and adhesive tape was applied along the top edge to form a hinge. Now the target area is much larger and the client no longer has any difficulties with this button.

2)	A profoundly disabled young client was trying to use a switch placed upon the top of his computer desk so that he could access his computer for games and communication etc. Due to the restricted movement of the client's arms, the client was having to lean way over to his left in order to raise his hand sufficiently to be able to get above the switch on the top of the desk. This was requiring considerable effort.
Solution
	It was observed that when at rest, the client's hands hung down by his sides. I opened the bottom draw of the desk and placed my (A4+ sized) tool kit across it. The switch was then positioned on the tool kit and all the client had to do was to flex his hand a little to press the switch. This he was able to do with great ease and with probably a twenty fold increase in speed of access.

2)	A young woman in a weelchair had a table which was too low to be able to get underneath due to its design. She wanted to be able to use her laptop, but due to her condition she could not reach forward to access it conmortably or safely. The table top height was correct, but needed to be bigger.
Solution
	A new table top was manufactured that met her size requirements, and was clamped onto the original table top without having to make any alterations to the original table. Instructions and limitations for use were provided. See the pictures here.