Access & Household
Centering Pots
This client lives independently in her own home with vision and hearing impairments. She had difficulty safely centering her pots and pans over the gas jets on her stove. Our volunteer decided to build a set of stove locating guides to hold the pots and pans in place over each jet. The rings can be easily lifted off and removed for cleaning. Ref T7-289
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
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
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
Ironing Table
An ironing table with extra stability was constructed so that a lady who uses a wheelchair can iron while seated. The table has a padded and covered wooden top and metal legs, that fit over an armchair or wheelchair with plenty of leg space. The table has an in-built iron holder which holds the iron at a 45 degree angle so that it cannot be tipped over. T8-115
