Welcome to our regular update on things ‘new’ in the world of disability ‘The ‘D’ List’. In this edition we look at an evolving walking aid, a wearable communication device and an extra light scooter:
First, The Evolvable Walking Aid Kit is a long-term mobility device that can be tailored to the individual needs of disabled people. It costs less than 70p to build and was developed by industrial design graduate, Cara O’Sullivan, after a visit to Peru. She found that there was a lack of assisted walking aids for disabled people. This sparked the idea for a low-cost walking aid system, the Evolvable Walking Aid Kit. Built by Ossatura it’s been given a number of awards including the James Dyson Award and is a finalist of the NESTA Inclusive Technology Prize.
The walking aid can adapt to a variety of disabilities and different stages of progression or deterioration. Cara also wanted something that could be produced at low cost for developing countries particularly for children so to reduce the price recycled timber and cable ties were used. This resulted in the kit that could be assembled following colour-coded markings and without reading instructions. It can be transformed into a walking frame, a pair of crutches or a walking stick. Let’s hope it gets produced as there’s a need in both the developed and developing world but we bet it’ll be sold for more than 70p!
Second, The DrumPants TAPS is a wearable drum set for tapping out messages. DrumPants TAPS (Trigger Activated Personal Assistant) is an assistive technology for communication that was inspired by a crowdfunded wearable drum set, designed for ‘drumming on the go’. Then rehabilitation specialist Michael Zinn, identified DrumPants as a possible means of communication for people with nonverbal disabilities.
The soft Velcro pads are attached to wheelchairs or clothing, and the user can tap one of the built-in sensors to trigger helpful pre-recorded phrases that are played through a Bluetooth-connected smartphone or tablet. This technology is a genius adaptation from an able bodied ‘toy’ to an assistive device for nonverbal people with limited dexterity.
Third The Di Blasi R30 Scooter, sent as a comment on our review of mobility scooters. This is a neat solution if you want to easily transport your scooter. Not for heavy duty use if you need extra comfort or stability and not as stylish as some in our review but certainly does the job re portability. It’s 62 x 39 x 48(h) cm and weighs (including the battery) 24,9 kg or without battery the weight comes down to 22,1 kg.
Let us know if you used these or heard of any other interesting ‘things’ for ‘The ‘D’ List’, contact us.