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Everyday tasks might seem easy enough for most of us. But if you have bad arthritis or can’t bend your knees, how can you pull on incontinence pants? If you’ve had a stroke, how do you operate a 4-wheel walker with one hand, or take out the bins?
How can 3D printing and a life of back shed tinkering significantly improve the lives of dozens of elderly and disabled people?
Since1978, Technology for Ageing and Disability SA’s (TADSA) team of committed technical volunteers have been at the forefront of innovation for independence, in people of all ages living with disability, by designing and making bespoke, assistive tech that transforms people’s lives and allows them to reengage with the things they love doing, and participate with confidence within their communities.
TASDSA recently helped a 101-year-old avid audiobook listener with vision impairment. Her macular degeneration made it challenging to control the play and pause buttons. Tech maestro Bruce created a 3D-printed dome button and Pro Micro device, enabling seamless audiobook control despite her limitations.
TADSA also devised a ‘one handed’ fishing device for an aged, wheelchair-bound client with multiple disabilities to be able to enjoy his favourite sport, fishing.
Volunteer Mike Coles invented a swivel table with a centre clamping mechanism that would easily attach to a short pole on the client’s chair. The table was modified with little compartments - drink can holder, bait, cutting board, fishing rod holder, and hook baiting mechanism.