Games console for people with disabilities
11th September 2022
Carers supporting people with dementia wanted a game that could occupy and stimulate them whilst also offering a useful way of assessing an individuals health status.
Latest News and Info
Relocated Wheelchair Hand Control
5th December 2021
The client only had small hand movement, no arm movement, the movement control for hi electric wheelchair was mounted as usual at the side of the chair which he could no longer reach. He could not talk and only communicated using a tablet and stylus, his brain was fine and he wished some level of independence.
Modified Over Bed Table
7th September 2021
The client was a very accomplished water colour artist but found it extremely difficult to paint from her reclining chair, her MS condition required her to sit with her legs raised. She also loved reading and completing jig saws, both difficult or almost impossible from her chair. Her current over bed table did not have a facility to incline.
Door opener for self closing doors
10th September 2020
Self closing doors are essential in many places such as care homes to limit the risk with fire but commercial door openers are prohibitively expensive.
Help for children with dwarfism
10th September 2020
Young girl with dwarfism was just starting school and required a way to reach the school wash basins and toilets
Game for Blind or Partially Sighted
6th July 2020
The Essex branch of the charity Deafblind UK found it very difficult to entertain blind or partially sighted people, singularly or in groups, they were aware of a games console made by Essex Central Remap for people with disabilities, but that was not suitable for blind or partially sighted people. The Essex Blind Association requested a games console suitable for their members.
Lift on Mobility Scooter
10th March 2020
The client spends much of his time sitting on the ground caring for an exotic collection of some 200 birds but he needs to get on to a mobility scooter to travel distances and he is getting progressively weaker. He now needs help to get up on to his mobility scooter
School Lunch Tray
10th September 2019
The young person with the use of only one hand & arm wished to participate in School lunches unaided and this meant being able to carry a fully loaded standard issue lunch tray. These trays have profiled ends that make it impossible to add simple carry straps so a modification that was compatible with the kitchen cleaning system was needed.
Mobility chair desk top
27th August 2019
Five year old who uses a wheelchair and about to start school needed a desk top for her work and lunch. Specialist mobility chair under warranty and the only OEM table obscured the dual controls and at over £700, unsuitable. OT asked for the surface to include the sides and be very easy for school staff to remove/replace. The young lady want it to be pink!
Zimmer frame seat
28th April 2014
The client has respiratory problems and really needs to sit down and rest in his small, narrow galley kitchen while waiting for the kettle to boil or microwave to finish cooking. There is nowhere to store a pull-out stool.
A fold-down marine ply perching seat was fitted to his existing zimmer frame to provide a suitable means of resting in the kitchen. A spare zimmer frame was cannibalised to provide two heavy-duty support bars plus the joint fixings for the new seat to rest on, and pipe clips were added to allow the seat to be stowed away while he is walking.
The client can now perch and take the weight off his feet while waiting for the kettle or the microwave. He can also wash dishes in the sink while seated. The modified frame is no larger than a standard frame, so it can easily be used in the limited space available.
Radiator thermostatic valve operating device
28th April 2014
Wheelchair using client cannot bend down to operate the thermostatic control valves on his radiators.
A very simple device was made using two tennis balls and a length of wooden dowelling. Each ball was attached to the end of the dowelling, one serving as a hand hold ( a hole was cut in the tennis ball to allow the dowelling to pass through the ball, the ball was secured to the dowelling with a screw and washer), the other ball had a hole cut in it to fit around the taper on the radiator thermostatic control valve (the ball was secured to the wooden dowelling with a screw and washer up through the hole in the tennis ball).
The client can now easily adjust the radiator thermostatic control valves. He is highly pleased and has more control of his comfort.
Widened commode
27th April 2014
A very large lady needed a widened and adapted heavy duty commode that can be readily made transportable as she spends time in hospital during the year and needs the commode there.
A frame was made for the heavy duty commode to widen the seating area providing improved and longer hand holds to ease access and exit. The frame can be removed for transportation.
The client can now sit with comfort on the commode and get on and off more easily.
Wheeled tumbleforms
27th April 2014
Katie uses tumbleforms, moulded plastic wedge seats, which cannot be moved easily. Wheeled tumbleforms are available but the seat is too upright for Katie.
A support frame on castors was made to accommodate the tumbleform seat.
Katie can now be moved around easily and lifted in conjunction with an overhead hoist .
Visibility aids
27th April 2014
Betty, who has failing eye sight, needs aids to help her see the dials on her cooker, toaster and microwave.
The panel fitted a laminated temperature aid around the temperature control knob to make the numbers very easy to read so that Betty can easily select the required temperature. They also made markers for the toaster and microwave so that they are equally easy to set.
Betty can now operate her cooker and other appliances with more confidence.
Umbrella on wheelchair
27th April 2014
During wet weather, the client needs protection from the rain whilst moving his wheelchair in and out of his vehicle, and during wheelchair journeys to the shops.
An umbrella carrier was made for the client’s wheelchair that provided storage for the closed umbrella and safely held it when raised even under high wind conditions.
The client can use his wheelchair with confidence when rain threatens and the risk of getting wet when transferring from his car has been significantly reduced.
Walker/trolley arm rests
27th April 2014
The client has a walking trolley with hand grips which she finds essential to carry her things, but this does not provide the support she needs when walking.
Gutter arm rests were fitted to the trolley to provide support.
The client can now use her trolley with ease to get around and carry her important items.
Tray for wheelchair to hold laptop
27th April 2014
The client has very limited head movement and needed to use a laptop computer with voice recognition software from her wheelchair but had no safe way to hold the computer.
A tray was made and mounted off the client’s wheelchair and suitably padded to avoid any discomfort to the client.
The client can now use her computer in comfort and with safety to enhance her life and independence.
Toy tractor
27th April 2014
A young boy with cerebral palsy loves tractors and his parents wanted one that he could ride on.
A suitable toy tractor was purchased and a frame fitted around the seat so that the boy could be supported and sit on it safely.
The boy was delighted with his tractor and complains when his parents try to get him off its seat.
Toilet flush lever with 2 hands
27th April 2014
Mr B did not have the strength to flush the toilet.
A lever was made to enable the toilet to be flushed using both hands.
Mr B can now flush the toilet with ease.
Stowage for walker on mobility scooter
25th April 2014
The client uses mobility scooter but needs a walking frame to get to her final destination and has no way to carry her walking aid.
A frame was made to carry the walker on the back of the mobility scooter without impairing the scooter function in any way.
The young lady can now use her scooter and when she gets to her destination, transfer to use the walking aid.
Stair lift foot rest
25th April 2014
This client has reduced sensation and co-ordination of her legs and also has strong spasms in her legs. She uses a stair lift but she is not aware if her feet are on the foot rest safely and there is a risk they could be trapped and injured.
A foot sized wooden footplate was made with rubber underneath and thick rubber wall to retain the client’s foot. It has a pole handle to allow the foot to be lifted onto the footrest of the stair lift. The under-rubber prevents the plate sliding off the footrest.
The client can now use her stair lift with more confidence and the risk of foot entrapment is reduced.
Stage ramp
25th April 2014
The Swans disabled people’s club wanted to put on a Christmas show in the local town hall but there was no way for people in wheelchairs to gain safe access to the stage.
A ramp was made which allowed all the performers in wheelchairs to get on to the stage easily and safely.
The show was a great success and fun for all.
Special bed controller
25th April 2014
The client cannot operate the handset for his special bed, as it requires the pressing of two buttons at once and he finds this very difficult.
A lever system and guide bracket was made to enable the two buttons to be depressed with one action.
The client can now operate his bed control without difficulty.
Shower head shut off tap
24th April 2014
The client uses a bath seat and a shower on a flexible tube but cannot reach the taps to turn on the water and adjust the temperature from her bath seat.
Shut off tap was fitted at the shower head so that the pressure and temperature of the water can be adjusted and then turned off at the shower head whilst the client gets on the bath seat and lowers herself down into the bath (only suitable with tank fed systems).
The lady can now wash herself with the flexible shower hose without the risk of uncontrolled water from the shower head.
