This activity is awesome. I really like the hands-on nature
of this class. I think many of us have written a ton of papers throughout our
Masters, but just like my kids, the hands on stuff seems to have more of an
impact on me.
I would like to start our description of $store low tech
items with a little funny story about my family:
My mom severely injured her back this past December (that is
not the funny part) and had to pretty much rest on the couch or bed with a full
upper body brace unable to get up by herself, use the bathroom and so on. My
dad is very hard of hearing (still not the funny part) especially when he sits
on his comfy seat in front of the TV that’s cranked up on high. My mom would be
laying on the couch right beside him unable to get his attention when she needed
something, so she started using the $store flyswatter to hit him with to gain
his attention (this is the funny part). On Friday when Barbara started putting
out some of the $store items in front of us, all I could think about was my mom
using low tech assistive technology to get my dad’s attention.
While roaming through Dollarama, we found multiple items that could have the same AT purpose or one item could be useful for numerous tasks. The tricky part wasn't to find 20 items...the tricky part was to get us to stop looking after we found 20. Seriously though, for the past 3 days every way I turn, whatever I do, I keep stopping and thinking about how AT could be involved.
1. Task - Provide better grip, grab something
User - For an individual who has trouble with grip or limited motions in their hands.
Item - Playdough: this moldable material can make materials easier to grab and turn like the tops of jars or bottles or cupboard knobs. Mold the playdough around the item and it gives a better grip.
2. Task - drink through straw
User - This is important for an individual who may not use their hands or has difficulty working with smaller objects.
Item - Clothespin: straw grip. Simply use a clothespin to attach a straw to the side of a cup, mug or glass to limit its movement (elastic band holds both together). Another alternative to this is to purchase a tumbler that has a lid and attached straw.
3. Task - keep page of book open
User - This tool would be beneficial for an individual who has limited motion with their hand or has a hard time flipping pages. Also this can be a tool for an individual with cognitive difficulties who may lose their place easily.
Item - Clothing Hanger with pant hooks: This can be used to attach to a book or papers to keep them open. A practical application may be to use it to keep a page of a cookbook open. Hang the hanger with the book on a cabinet in your kitchen while working away. You never lose your page!
4. Task - keep items on table or lap
User - This tool can be used with an individual who has limited ability to pick up things off the floor or for an individual who has abrupt movements who may knock items over regularly.Item - Aluminum Turkey Roasting Pan/Plastic Tray or ice cube trays: used to avoid items/pieces from falling off table. For example, a shallow plastic tray could be used to put a puzzle together. An add on to this tool could be a clamp or heavy duty clothespin that can hold the tray in place. Peg Clips can be added to this task to ensure the trays remain solid on the desk or table if required.
- Task - open doorknobs
User - individual with limited grasping capabilities
Item - Shoelaces: tie shoelaces to knobs on cabinets and doors to allow an individual with limited grasping capabilities the opportunity to open the doors themselves. Metal coat hanger - hook used to open kitchen cupboards or can be used as an aide to pull up pants. Cat/Dog toy- attach the cat.dog toy around a circular door knob to provide a lever for individuals to use to open the door. Decorative hook- can be used as an extension to one's hand to open cabinets.
6. Task - quick communication
User - nonverbal individual
Item - Luggage Tags: could be filled with pictures (that can easily be changed), so student could look through luggage tag and hold up the one that has the right number, for example, when asked a math question. This would be a tool important for a nonverbal individual for quick communication working with aided language. Another example would be during phys-ed class to increase the flow of the class and protect the technology in more high action classes such as wrestling or basketball. The pictures, letter or numbers inside the luggage tags can easily be changed, so they can be used for numerous activities.
- Task - read worksheet or book
User - individual with, for example, dyslexia or visual stress
Item - Transparent Plastic Dividers or Folder: can be used as overlays, for example, a student with dyslexia may use a blue overlay to be able to help read info on a page.
- Task - communicate in water
User - nonverbal individual swimming in pool/lake/ocean
Item - Floating Water Toy (e.g. fludder board or beach ball): attach laminated communication grid, to be able to communicate in the water. This tool is for an individual who is nonverbal, but still needs to communicate when swimming in a pool or visiting the beach. The non water version may be a Cutting Board- someone can attach pictures (schedule of the day) to the cutting board so that it can be easily held and seen.
- Task - pull up from toilet or car seat
User - individual with difficulties getting up from seated position
Item - Belt, leash, dog tugging toy and many more: This tool can be used as a lifting aide to assist a student with difficulty getting up from the seated position. An example could be to connect belt to a headrest on front seat of car to allow student better grip to pull himself/herself out of back car seat or attached to a hook in a bathroom stall to serve the same purpose.
- Task - identification of items (e.g. Play cards)
User - individual who is visually impaired
Item - One Hole Holepunch: an individual who is visually impaired may use holepunch holes to identify items (this is when braille is not available), e.g. Playing cards - one whole for each number that the card is worth on top left hand side and one to four holes on top right hand side depending on suit of card
- Task - hold on to writing utensil
User - beneficial for an individual who has limited mobility to pick something up off the floor or for an individual who loses things easily/often.
Item - Bracelet or elastic hairband: Attach a pencil, pen or marker to bracelet so that it does not get lost.
- Task- faucet extender. The lid can be taken off and hole put into side of bottle to fit over tap.
User- This tool can be beneficial for someone in a wheelchair that can’t reach that far back.
Item- Pop bottle or Water Bottle
- Task- touchscreen facilitator. One finger cut off to allow skin to click on iPad, will avoid other fingers/whole hand to click buttons.
User- This tool would be beneficial for an individual who struggles with using a touchscreen device properly or has limited movement in fingers.
Item- Glove (At the Dollar Store we actually found a “touch glove” that already had the touch ability built in.)
14. Task- Catcher. Attach velcro to an everyday item and use wool/spandex gloves to make catching easier.
User- This is a tool for an individual that does not have the hand movement to close their hand quickly enough to catch an item or for an individual with limited sight this tool can help keep them involved in everyday activities/games.
Item-wool Glove and Velcro
15. Task- Dice roller. You can roll dice inside of container, so they don’t fly around classroom (I actually use that in my classroom to avoid losing dice).
User- This tool is beneficial for an individual who cannot roll an individual dice due to fine motor, but also for an individual who may be too abrupt in movements to roll a die effectively.
Item- Small plastic transparent container
16. Task- page separators. Stick between book pages to allow student to better be able to turn book pages himself/herself.
User- This is beneficial for an individual who has a difficult time turning individual pages in a book.
Item-Pom Poms or popsicle sticks or binder clips and many more
17. Task- toilet flusher. Attach to existing toilet handle to allow for bigger surface area to push to flush toilet.
User- This tool is beneficial to an individual who has limited motion in their fingers possibly from a stroke.
Item-Spatula
18. Task- Occupational Therapy. Put a string through the middle of the noodle and attach it to any chair/seat to elevate legs and keep them in flexion.
User- This tool would be beneficial to an individual who has cerebral palsy and needs their legs to remain at a certain angle for comfort. This tool also prevents rubbing on various materials.
Item-Pool Noodle
19. Task- This tool can be used to paint.
User- This is for an individual who has a difficult time holding on to smaller objects such as a paint brush.
Item-Scrubbing dish brush
20. Task- can be used as pencil grips, simply cut hole in balls and stick pencil through the ball.
User- These are large, but may be necessary for an individual who requires a more substantial grip.
Item-Tennis Balls and doggy balls of various sizes
21. Task- cut in half, length ways and add water to the inside.
This then becomes a large magnifying glass.
User- An individual who has vision problems and cannot properly use a small hand held magnifying glass due to issue with fine motor may find this easier.An individual who has vision problems and cannot properly use a small hand held magnifying glass due to issue with fine motor may find this easier.
Item- Clear pop bottle
*To amp it up a little you can add food colouring to enhance the picture, i.e. yellow.
22. Task- attach to a light switch and let dangle making turning on and off a light more manageable
User- for an individual who may struggle with grasp or fine motor skills required to complete this task.
Item- Glasses straps or shoestring
23. Task- an iPad/tablet/technology holder. A student can place the iPad/tablet on the top shelf and documents on the lower shelf. Students can then easily take pictures with the device.
User- This is important for an individual who may not be able to hold the device or when holding cannot stabilize themselves to take a picture.
Item-Locker Organizer/cabinet organizer
24. Task- creates a slant board/art board.
User - The angle of a slant board promotes better placements of hands, arms and
shoulders thereby promoting fine and visual motor skills. It promotes an efficient
pencil grasp because of its design (bringing the pencil closer). For individuals who
have difficulty reaching the entire paper while flat on desk, the slant board may
provide an easier distance to reach from top to the bottom of page while keeping
paper in one place. This AT may also be good for books or other reading material to
reduce eye strain.
Item- Three Ring Binder and Chip Clip
25. Task- technology stand.
Attach a small clip to a larger one to create a stand for an iPod, iPhone or iPad/tablet
(multiple needed for bigger devices).
User- This can be very important for an individual who requires devices to be at an angle because of visual impairment or it may be important for an individual who cannot handle a smaller device due to issues with fine motor skills.
Item-Binder Clips
26.Task- Response System: green can represent YES, while red can represent NO.
User- This can be used for an individual who is nonverbal.
Item- Something red and something green (like sweat bands)
(You get the idea :-) )
27. Task- attention grabbers. These devices are flashy or they either light up, vibrate or both and can be used to gain the attention of a student.
User- an individual who has difficulty hearing or is partially/completely deaf. This could also be a tool for a nonverbal individual who wants to get the attention of another individual.
Item- Flashy Flamingo (I mean who misses this in the class?), a horn, light or toys
28. Task-Arm Stabilizer
User- An individual who may have difficulty holding a pencil or pen properly may need support in order to do this. A nice cushion can help that student maintain proper form.
Item- Gel Bike Seat
29. Task- Sequencing Device. Attach visuals in a sequential order to ensure students follow proper steps.
User- This tool can be used for any individual who may require a step by step visual of directions on how to complete a certain task (intellectual disability). It may be something like logging on to a school computer of putting on their coat at the end of the day.
Item- Flyribbon or Picture Frame
30. Task- Card holder. Cards can easily be placed in this item and easily held while playing games.
User- An individual who struggles with holding multiple items within their hands may find this tool beneficial. One of the two brushes can be set right on the table, one can be held in hand.
Item- Nail Brush Set
31. Task- Item holder. Items can easily be placed and replaced within this foam.
User- An individual who may require visuals to point at to communicate or an individual who struggles with keeping multiple items on their work space.
Item- Floral Foam
Here is the item we chose to buy and present on Wednesday. Any guesses what we would possibly use it for:
(Excuse the formatting issues in this blog post...I fought with it for a while...it won!)
Wow Nike! Looks like you are a super shopper of low tech AT! Great work! Love the story about your mum and dad. I'm going to get one of those for my husband when he isn't listening (his hearing is selective😁).
ReplyDeleteHI Nike.... I just knew you'd have an awesome blog and wasn't disappointed. I LOVE the water items for communication in the water. What a great idea. I also thought the green/red items for yes/no were super cool. Amazing assortment of ideas. Thank you for some cool thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHolly and I had over 50 items too, but I cut it back to 20 in my blog... there was SO much.
DeleteGreat job! There is just so much to choose from, I had to scale back too.
ReplyDeleteI love the mass amount of assistive tech you found at the dollar store! Your idea for the soap dispenser on the toilet paper roll is excellent! I wouldn't think of the little things when someone has a physical challenge while using the bathroom. It is an area we don't often think about.
ReplyDeleteHi Nike,
ReplyDeleteWay to think out of the box. I was trying to guess in my head what you bottle of lotion was going to be used for. Never in a million years would I have come up with your idea. A simple solution to a vital task.
Nick