by Cracked it
December 9, 2016 in Solution
This 3D printed aid could be the perfect solution for someone with limited grip or dexterity, limb difference or anyone that finds it difficult to paint their nails! For help with 3D printing, get in touch with our sponsors DEMAND Design & Manufacture for Disability.
Download the 3D printable file
Remember to click the ‘This Solution Helped Me button at the top of this page if this solution helped you.
by Cracked it
October 30, 2016 in Solution
What a simple way to access switch operated toys and computers. be sure to click the ‘This Solution Helped Me’ button at the top of this page if you found this idea useful.
by Cracked it
October 20, 2016 in Solution
For a budget friendly way to create built up handles for cutlery, pens and toothbrushes, you can use a pack of foam hair rollers!
This video uses foam tubing purchased specifically for making built up handles.
Remember to click the ‘This Solution Helped Me’ button at the top of the page if you found this hack useful!
by Cracked it
October 14, 2016 in Solution
Materials:
Tools:
Method:
Please remember to click the ‘This Solution Helped Me’ button at the top of this page and leave a comment to let us know how you got on with this hack.
by Cracked it
September 22, 2016 in Solution
Via Pinshape
This handy 3D printable handle will help open those tricky pots of yoghurt, margarine, ice cream and more, why not give it a go!
Download the 3D CAD file
Remember to click the ‘This Helped Me’ button at the top of this page, or leave a comment letting us know how you got on!
Via Pinshape
by Cracked it
September 9, 2016 in Post, Solution
Via Thingiverse
3D printing is doing incredible things for prosthetics, with organisations like E-Nable publishing customisable, open source designs that are affordable, even for kids whose requirements change quickly as they grow.
Could this design be the answer to unaffordable mobility aids for thousands of people across the world? Download the CAD files and check out the full tutorial on Thingiverse.
Make sure to comment or click ‘This Helped Me’ at the top f the page if you make one of these incredible chairs!
by Cracked it
August 31, 2016 in Post, Solution
Via Pinshape
A nifty 3D printing project with great potential to help people with dexterity issues. Head over to Pinshape to download the 3D printing files, which are available in 4 sizes to suit different hands!
Don’t forget to click the ‘This Helped Me’ button at the top of the page if you give this a try.
by Dean Parkes
November 25, 2015 in Solution
The Easy-bin wheelchair aid is an simple but effective solution to taking the trash out for people in wheelchairs. It allows the user to take the trash out while still having full control of the wheelchair and being able to navigate tight spaces with ease.
Research has shown us that wheelchair users who live fairly independently find it hard to take out the rubbish. This is because you need two hands to push a wheel chair so it is hard to push it whilst carrying a bin or bag, plus few people want to rest their rubbish on their laps. We were able to speak to man living in America, who makes a variety of YouTube videos showing his daily struggles, about how he takes out his trash. He was able to give us insight on how to develop a product which solves this issue.
The final solution we have come up with is a combination of arms and hinges which are permanently attached to a dustbin and then lifted up and attached to a wheelchair. The arm has the ability to fold up against the bin and clip into place, this keeps the product compact and out of the way. When the user wants to take out the trash all they do is simply go to the dustbin, unclip the first arm, lift the bin up and slot the arm into the attachments on the wheelchair, they can then twist the bin around in front of their legs.
To test the product we made a model and once was made we acquired our wheelchair and began to test our final outcome. The process of utilising our product starts off with the user travelling towards the bin lifting it up and clipping the bar in the clips attached to the wheelchair. Connecting the bar to the clips wasn’t a smooth process when we tested it but it was a simple process. Baring in mind we intend to make the actual product out of a metal such as aluminium because metals tend to have a more polished surface finish, so there would be less friction between the bar and the clip. Therefore connecting the pieces together should be a smother process.
Finally we tested if you could utilize the wheelchair with our model attached. Because the bin can placed in front of the user it doesn’t cause much of an obstruction. We discovered the wheelchair was still usable with our attachment on and the performance of the wheelchair seemed the same as before which is dependent of the users physicality.
Manufacture:
This product uses material and components that are easy obtainable from any hardware or DIY store. This means that actually making the product is simple because it mostly involves attaching components in various ways.
For a dustbin with dimensions of: 600mm x 400mm x 400mm
The size of the product is very dependent on the size of the dustbin and wheelchair being used. These three components are the most varied and would need to be adjusted. The rest of the components would be bought in as standard parts.
More information about the manufacture and component parts can be found in the report below.
by Daniel Tyas
September 28, 2015 in Solution
Accessible Zipper Pull
Many people with arthritis or other fine-motor difficulties have problems with zippers. Being unable to use a zipper makes it much harder to dress oneself independently. There are many instructables on this site that deal with making zippers easier to use – building up the zipper tab with Sugru, using a knotted cord as a zipper pull, making zipper fobs, inserting a key ring through the hole in the zipper tab, etc.
This is an easy-to-make zipper puller that will work with most zippers. It is small enough that it can be carried in a pocket or a purse. We have actually used these as a craft project for some of our senior events. The puller can be made with or without the handle. The length of the puller can be adjusted by using a longer dowel.
For example, many ladies dresses have a zipper in the back. This is difficult or impossible for many people to use independently (arthritis, shoulder problems, etc.) – for that matter, I know many women without disabilities that have a hard time getting to the inaccessible zipper. As an example of how the inability to reach a zipper can amplify things – consider a woman who can not reach the zipper by herself. She lives alone. Because she can’t reach the zipper, she can’t wear her favorite dress, which might mean that she stay home instead going to a party – thus negatively impacting her social life – all because of a tiny $0.05 piece of metal. I have worked with women in this exact situation – as well as with old men who couldn’t get their fly up and stayed in for that reason.
Accessible Zipper Components
Materials needed:
Cup hooks (hardware store)
dowel (hardware store)
PVC T joint (with at least one side threaded)
Tools:
Sandpaper
Saw
drill
For a basic one, I use a 1/2″ tee joint and a 3/4″ dowel. Test fit in the hardware store before buying.
Cut, Sand, Drill
Cut the dowel to about 3″ for a standard zipper pull, or about 18″ for a ladies dress zipper puller.
Sand to remove rough edges.
Drill a small pilot hole in one end, screw the cup hook into the hole in the end.
This is the most basic version of the zipper puller (no handle).
Handle
Accessible Zipper Pull Assembled
A T-handle makes it easy the puller easy to grip.
You want to get a PVC T-joint that has the threaded end slightly smaller than the diameter of the dowel. Shove the dowel into the T-joint and screw it into the threads by hand. The pine and oak are both soft enough that the thread will cut slightly into the wood. It holds very well without additional means. If you are concerned with it pulling out smear the threads with a strong general adhesive (E6000 or similar) before screwing the dowel into the PVC, but I’ve not needed it.
Don’t use this to hang from the ceiling – but for pulling zippers the fit should be enough.
If more grip is needed, wrap the body of the puller and the T-joint with PVC.
by Daniel Tyas
September 28, 2015 in Solution
Kayak Adaptation
This is my NEWEST Seat Design that plugs right into a stock Malibu Two!
This design will work perectly on both models of the Ocean Kayak, Inc. Malibu Two – original and XL, and can be modified to fit a wide variety of other models. The requisite is that there are scupper holes near the back of the seat pan area for the seat fixture to rest in.
This seat adaption is designed to provide the upper trunk support that, for instance, an incomplete quad, would need to keep his or her body centered over the kayak, thereby greatly reducing the possibility of a capsize. Paddlers with many levels of physical ability have found great comfort in using this design. You will see it being utilized in many of the photos on my web site.
Seat Fixing
Seat Fixing Components
ADAPTIVE SEAT FIXTURE (LATEST DESIGN) – PARTS LIST
3/4″ PVC PIPE PIECES:
A 2 EA 6.0 CM
B 2 EA 5.5 CM
C 2 EA 15.0 CM
D 2 EA 12.0 CM
E 2 EA 16.0 CM
F 2 EA 23.0 CM
G 2 EA 9.0 CM
H 2 EA 9.0 CM
I 2 EA 6.0 CM
J 1 EA 44.0 CM
K 1 EA 40.0 CM
Referring to the first photo attached to this step…
These latest dimensions remove the gap at B and lower the height 1 inch.
H will appear ~3/4 inch longer than shown to compensate for shorter B and E.
PIPE FITTINGS:
4 EA 90 Degree Elbows
6 EA 45 Degree Elbows
6 EA T Fittings
2 EA Couplers – Use the long ones if you can find them!
Seat Fixing Components
Seat Fixings
INSTRUCTIONS
Cut all the pieces according to the Parts List in Step 1, ensuring the longest measurable length of each piece matches the dimensions given in the list.
Be sure to use a Primer on the joints just before applying the Glue and pushing the pieces together.
Build each of the sections of this design as shown in the second photo attached.
Pipe pieces K, C, and particularly J can be wrapped with a section of Hot Water Line Insulator as shown for J in the second photo.
Piece J is a critical part of the design. It effectively deepens the seat pocket to keep the paddler from slipping forward and out of the pocket.
Kayak Adaptation Assembled
NOTES:
— It’s easiest to make the groups as shown below first, then fit them together.
— J is 4CM longer than K to spread the upper supports.
— J is wrapped with closed-cell foam hot-water-pipe insulation for padding.
— The lengths of E, H, and I are critical to properly position J.
— B, C, and D are joined by 45 degree Elbows.
— H and I are joined by a 45 degree Elbow.
— The fixture is held in place by the seat, and by the paddler’s legs over piece J.
— This design uses 2 fewer fitting pieces than my original design
and can be made with one 10-foot length of 3/4″ Schedule 40 PVC pipe.
— Pieces A can be lengthened for more of a reclining position.
— Pieces F and D can be adjusted equally to accommodate paddler height.
— DO NOT CHANGE the length of pieces E, H, and I, for use on a Malibu Two!
— Padding on C and the paddler’s PFD make for a nice snug fit in the fixture.
Kayak Adaptation Rear
The Adaptive Seat Fixture is placed in the center seat postion of the kayak, guiding the rear vertical pieces into the scupper holes at the rear edge of the seat pan.
The Seat Adaption could be used without the addition of the seat-back as shown in the photos (black) below. The paddler’s PFD (assuming it’s a good Paddler’s Jacket) would provide for the padding needed to make use of it, and the paddlers legs would mostly hold the fixture in place.
Still, a much improved setup is created by adding a nice seat-back, such as the Surf-To-Summit model shown in the photos. Use a bungee cord to hold the back of the seat-back firmly into the fixture as shown in the first photo. Then, connect the forward straps of the seat-back to the factory installed eyelets provided for that purpose and cinch them up. When properly fitted, the seat-back and seat fixture will feel very tightly bound to the kayak with very little play in any direction.
