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HomeCustom equipment for people with disabilities
Coin Sorter
The clients in this case have some intellectual disabilities as well as a vision impairment, and the aim of the coin sorter was not only to enable them to distinguish between coins of different values, but also for use as a learning tool to teach them about the different widths and sizes of each coin. It also needed to be portable, and be able to be attached to a school bag or key ring. Ref T8-076
Face Scratcher
A client has a spinal cord injury that has left him with very little movement below the neck meaning he is not able to scratch his face without assistance. A TADVIC volunteer developed a ‘scratcher’ for him that utilises the small amount of movement he has retained in his left hand. The long-stemmed scratching arm sits on top of the client’s wheelchair tray. Ref T8-237
Getting Hot Dishes out of the Oven
A man with quadriplegia needed a way to remove hot dishes from his oven safely. He has limited arm movement and is confined to a wheelchair. A cradle was made from stainless steel rod to fit the user's favourite casserole dish. A "basket" style handle of the same rod was fixed over the top of the frame. A poly-propylene pipe was cut and then shaped to fit the man's forearm like a splint and secured with Velcro straps. A tube extends from the arm-piece and is notched at the end to take the handle of the casserole frame. This device can also be used to push the oven racks in and out. Ref 98/169
Gas Heater Control
A young man with quadriplegia who was living alone, wanted to be able to make better use of his gas heater. His morning carer would get his gas heater going, but after she left he was unable to adjust the temperature. The gas heater temperature control knob was modified so that an extension rod with a forked end could be attached. This allowed the man to operate the switch using his mouth-stick. Ref T0/160
Gas Heater Control
A woman who uses a powered wheelchair and has little strength in her arms and hands could not safely operate the knob on her gas heater. She had difficulty turning the knob, and was in danger of being burnt as she had to drive alongside the front of the heater to reach it. An extension to the knob was designed so that the client could operate it from the side of the heater. The knob was replaced with a new one that was attached to a cord and operated by a lever handle attached to the wall beside the heater. This modification allowed the client to drive in close to the lever handle to operate it with little effort. Ref T2/600
Clothesline
A fence mounted folding Paraline clothes line is too high for comfortable reach from a wheelchair. The client has arthritis and also finds the adjusting mechanism difficult to grasp. The line needs to drop down lower and have a prop to lift it higher for drying. The addition of a simple 40mm diameter wooden pole with a non slip grip surface makes it easy for the client to lower the clothes line frame, peg out the clothes and raise it up again for drying. The end of the pole has an aluminium box section shaped to avoid slipping and to ensure accurate positioning of the frame. Ref T1/633
Lockable Transfer Disc
A client with severe physical disabilities was dependent on carers for transfers. He had used a commercial transfer disc which rotates when weight is put on it. His carers required the disc to be lockable. A new disc was made that can be locked in place using a foot pedal attached to the top disc. By using their feet to lock or release the disc, carers are free to use their arms to stabilise the client’s body during each transfer. Ref T7-451
Specialised Wallet
A painful hand disorder and medication that causes his hands to shake, made it very difficult for the client to use a regular wallet. A new wallet was made and lined with smooth nylon fabric to make it easier to insert and remove notes and coins. The wallet is folded and secured with a Velcro strap. When opened, the front of the wallet contains a box-shaped coin purse with an easy opening top flap, ensuring all coins are visible and accessible. Clear plastic credit card sleeves are attached on the inside of the wallet. Like a regular wallet, a note divider was provided just inside the back of the wallet. Ref T7-575