Using Corrugated Plastic for Assistive Technology
By: Katie McCormack, EC-SEAT Scholar
Assistive technology is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004).
To the average person, the term “assistive technology” may be associated with expensiveness, technicality and complication. Unquestionably, assistive technology is a great concept, providing opportunities and opening previously closed doors to individuals with disabilities. Yet when thinking about the process of creating assistive technology, it can seem a bit intimidating… don’t you need a computer science or engineering degree? Don’t you have to use expensive tools and materials? Don’t you need to work in a special factory or lab?
Well, yes. Sometimes.
Take, for example, a material you likely see every day: corrugated plastic. Now, perhaps you’ve never heard of that material and you’re saying to yourself “I’ve definitely never seen corrugated plastic before.”
Think politics. Every time any kind of election comes around, a multitude of political signs flocks yards, parks or just about anywhere there’s grass to be found. Or think about realty. Open house signs, in particular. These durable signs, often bright in color and design, are typically made of corrugated plastic.
Corrugated plastic is a durable, fluted material that can be cut using a paper cutter or a Coro Claw, a tool specifically designed to cut through the material.
I recently attended the Dover Mini Maker Faire at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. I joined Dr. Therese Willkomm, PhD, ATP, Clinical Associate Professor at University of New Hampshire and Stacy Driscoll, Assistive Technology Specialist at University of New Hampshire, at the Assistive Technology NH booth. The booth was a mix of education, observation and hands-on experience with assistive technology.
Having close to 100 individual DIY kits at hand, any interested individual could sit at our table and create a mini Eileen. Invented by Dr. Willkomm, the mini Eileen is essentially a durable stand for a mini-iPad, tablet or cell phone for users with motor difficulties or use of only one hand. The mini Eileen is an excellent example of easily accessible assistive technology, requiring only corrugated plastic, hook and loop, and double-sided tape. In-depth instructions can be found here: http://www.iod.unh.edu/priorityareas/assistivetechnology/resources/How-ToDocuments.aspx
Even better, the corrugated plastic used for these mini Eileens was donated by individuals who no longer had use for their signs. Every town and city has individuals utilizing these types of signs, which are often discarded soon after the race is over. Instead of filling up landfills, why not recycle the material to create assistive technology benefitting individuals with disabilities?
The mini Eileen is just one of several uses for corrugated plastic. Dr. Willkomm has thought of several other uses, in her book “Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes.”
References and Resources
Assistive technology is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004).
To the average person, the term “assistive technology” may be associated with expensiveness, technicality and complication. Unquestionably, assistive technology is a great concept, providing opportunities and opening previously closed doors to individuals with disabilities. Yet when thinking about the process of creating assistive technology, it can seem a bit intimidating… don’t you need a computer science or engineering degree? Don’t you have to use expensive tools and materials? Don’t you need to work in a special factory or lab?
Well, yes. Sometimes.
However, it is a little known fact that anyone (yes even YOU) is capable of creating assistive technology.
Take, for example, a material you likely see every day: corrugated plastic. Now, perhaps you’ve never heard of that material and you’re saying to yourself “I’ve definitely never seen corrugated plastic before.”
Think politics. Every time any kind of election comes around, a multitude of political signs flocks yards, parks or just about anywhere there’s grass to be found. Or think about realty. Open house signs, in particular. These durable signs, often bright in color and design, are typically made of corrugated plastic.
Corrugated plastic is a durable, fluted material that can be cut using a paper cutter or a Coro Claw, a tool specifically designed to cut through the material.
I recently attended the Dover Mini Maker Faire at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. I joined Dr. Therese Willkomm, PhD, ATP, Clinical Associate Professor at University of New Hampshire and Stacy Driscoll, Assistive Technology Specialist at University of New Hampshire, at the Assistive Technology NH booth. The booth was a mix of education, observation and hands-on experience with assistive technology.
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| Therese Willkomm at the Mini Maker Faire |
Even better, the corrugated plastic used for these mini Eileens was donated by individuals who no longer had use for their signs. Every town and city has individuals utilizing these types of signs, which are often discarded soon after the race is over. Instead of filling up landfills, why not recycle the material to create assistive technology benefitting individuals with disabilities?
The mini Eileen is just one of several uses for corrugated plastic. Dr. Willkomm has thought of several other uses, in her book “Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes.”
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| Children working on mini Eileens |
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| Children working on mini Eileens |
What are your ideas?
References and Resources
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004)
- Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes II https://www.amazon.com/ASSISTIVE-TECH-SOLN-MINUTES-II-W-DVD/dp/0989326209
Very informative article,forward thinking with creative use of materials.
ReplyDeleteC.McCormack - Vermont