Assistive Technology Devices you Can Create to Use in Your Classroom

By: Maria Mazzola, EC-SEAT Scholar

What is Assistive Technology? Devices and services that help individuals with special needs. They help people with disabilities: remember, read, see, communicate, and listen.

iPad/iPhone Stands

• iPad/iPhone stands are a great assistive technology to use in the classroom and at home.
• These stands help children or individuals keep their device in place without having to hold it up.
• This assistive technology can be helpful especially to children or individuals with physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy or Muscle Dystrophy.
• Materials: coro-claw, exacto knife, sharpie corrugated plastic, double sided foam tape scissors, ruler.

Sandwich holder

• A sandwich holder is a great assistive technology device to use with children and individuals with disabilities.
• This device allows an individual to eat a sandwich without having to use their hands.
• This device can be mounted onto a wheelchair as well.
• Materials: corrugated plastic, Coro-claw, loc-line, double-sided foam tape, wooden block, and scissors.

Cupholder

• Similar to the sandwich holder, the cup holder is another great assistive technology device designed to help individuals who cannot hold their drink with their hands.
• This assistive technology device can also be attached to a wheelchair as well.
• Materials: plastic cup, Velcro one wrap, double-sided foam tape, wooden block, loc-line, and scissors.

Pencil Grip

• Pencil grips are a great assistive technology device for students in the classroom.
• Pencil grips can be great for helping children learn the correct way to hold a pencil/pen.
• This is an easy device to make for children in a classroom that need extra help with fine motor activities (you can mold Instamorph to the child’s specific grip).
• Materials: pen/pencil, hot water, mug, Instamorph.

Fidget Spinner

• Fidget spinners are a great assistive technology to use in the classroom.
• Fidget spinners can be used with students who have ADD and/or Autism. It can help soothe and help children release energy and stay focused/concentrated.
• Materials: Instamorph, spoon, hot water, mug, PVC pipe, and a surface area (such as a table or countertop).

Hairbrush Holder

• A hairbrush holder is an assistive technology device that can be used for children and individuals with arthritis and/or a spinal cord injury.
• This device is helpful for not only for individuals but also for children and their families. This device can allow more independence for a child to be able to brush his/her own hair without needing help.
• Materials: hairbrush (or any other at-home device you want to use), one wrap strap, fasteners/straps, and scissors.

Universal Cuff (utensil holder)

• The universal cuff is an awesome assistive technology to use with many materials. The universal cuff can hold utensils such as forks and spoons.
• This device allows an individual or child to use a utensil without using their fingers. This can be helpful for individuals that cannot use their fingers but allows them to use their wrist or arm to bring food to their mouth.
• Materials: industrial twist tie, one wrap strap, fasteners/straps, spoon, and scissors.

iPad Strap

• The iPad strap is a great assistive technology device to use at home or in the classroom.
• This strap allows an individual to carry their iPad without having to use their fingers or hands to grasp at the device.
• Materials: scissors, double-sided foam tape, pale yellow cuff material, and Velcro-one tape.

Learn more about fabricating Assistive Technology solutions on the ATinNH website - https://iod.unh.edu/assistive-technology