More Hob Guides for Visually Impaired Clients
Since the original hob guide job 2023#062, I have provided a further three fibreglass hob guides for clients with visual impairments. Two of these are for induction hobs and one is for a conventional electric ring type hob. In all three cases these guides have allowed our clients to use their hobs independently, following some excellent training by the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist from our local county council.
The Challenge
The three latest clients all had visual impairments and could not locate a cooking pan in the correct place on the hob. In addition, the two clients with induction hobs could not locate the touch buttons that are integrated into the hob’s glass surface. A further danger for the conventional hob was the real possibility of touching the glass above a hot element when trying to place a pan.
The solution
As with the first guide I made, the three different hobs were all carefully measured and a 3D model made. From this I was able to design the printed circuit and the 3D printed guides for the control locations. The printed circuit material was manufactured by a most helpful company and was made from 3mm FR4 fibreglass, routed to size and including the various cut-outs and drilled for the screw locations.
In each case there are small pieces of fibreglass material near the corners that locate the guide on top of the glass hob; these are attached with stainless steel screws. For the conventional hob, I also included some more of these pieces between the glass hob and the main fibreglass sheet, this was to limit the heat transfer between them so reducing the heat applied to the fibreglass – this is not such an issue with the induction hobs as it is the pans that get hot and the glass less so. The Conventional hob also has standard rotary controls, there is a cut-out for these. The induction hob controls have 3D-printed finger guides to allow the client to find the individual controls and include raised features to assist with identification. The fibreglass guides are quite light and can easily be removed to clean up any spills, and even washed.
The benefit
Very simply, these clients can now operate their various hobs and locate their pans in the appropriate openings and cook independently.
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