Custom Adaptation

Products manufactured by Custom Adaptation (listed alphabetically)

1. POOL RAMP

   --- CUSTOM ADAPTATION --- PURPOSE: To enable an individual with mobility disabilities to access a pool either while walking or using a wheelchair. This ramp was constructed as part of the in-ground pool as part of the shell. Made of premium plaster to prevent cracking and crumbling, the ramp is enclosed by a deck railing for support while walking. The deck was also ramped to meet the doorway of the user’s home in anticipation of a future need for a wheelchair. TITLE: Doing It Yourself. JOURNAL: Quest. REF: Volume 12, Number 6, November 2005. WEB: http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/extra/qe12-6_doing_it.cfm

2. POWERED WHEELCHAIR FOOTREST

   ----CUSTOM ADAPTATION ---- PURPOSE: To enable an individual with multiple sclerosis and severe footdrop to use a wheelchair without assistance. The woman is unable to lift her feet up to conventional footrests. A pair of powered footrests were designed and fabricated using automobile power window motors and switches. The footrests detach when not needed and can be mounted on the wheelchair while the user is seated in it. Both footrests lower to ground level, enabling the user to slide her feet on or off. Pushing the buttons raises each to more than three inches above ground level to clear sidewalk bumps, curbs, ramps, etc. TITLE: The Powered Wheelchair Footrests. WEB SITE: Workshop Solutions at http://www.workshopsolutions.com. REF: The originator, Clive Rush, can be contacted at Clive.Rush@cibc.com.

3. ROCKING CHAIR ADAPTER FOR WHEEL CHAIR

   ----CUSTOM ADAPTATION ---- PURPOSE: To make it possible for a wheelchair to absorb the shocks from the involuntary backward and forward movements of a girl with cerebral palsy. This girl has broken parts of her chair several times previously. Instead of building a special rocking chair, it was decided to convert the wheelchair itself into a rocking chair. A device was built using 6-millimeter thick aluminium plate rolled to a suitable curve. The chair can be rolled onto the device and tied down. The device weighs only a few kilograms and can be stored when not in use. WEB SITE: Workshop Solutions at http://www.workshopsolutions.com. REF: The originator, Tony Sprent of TAD Tasmania, can be contacted at tony.sprent@utas.edu.au.

4. SALIVA REMOVAL SYSTEM

   --- CUSTOM ADAPTATION --- PURPOSE: To provide respiratory suctioning for an individual with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A pulmonary supplier, working with the user, created this two-station suction machine. One station is at the user’s bedside and the other at his computer. Collection jars are connected to medical tubing that runs through a baseboard to the basement where it connects to a suction machine that empties the jars. At each station, the jars are connected to suction tubing supported by a microphone stand and secured in the clamp by a wine cork. The tubing is at a height to run to the user’s mouth. TITLE: Doing It Yourself. JOURNAL: Quest. REF: Volume 12, Number 6, November 2005. WEB: http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/extra/qe12-6_doing_it.cfm

5. STEP LIFT

   --- CUSTOM ADAPTATION --- PURPOSE: To allow a person with mobility disabilities to traverse a step when installation of a ramp or other type of stair lift is not practical. Have a qualified installer install a deck mount van lift, attaching it to the upper floor of the step. The floor support structure should be checked to determine if it has adequate strength to allow operation of the lift. (Additional support may need to be added.) Power to lift should be obtained from a deep-cycle 12-volt automotive type battery. A regulated trickle battery charger should be installed to re-charge the battery when the lift speed starts to drop. An electrical switch should be installed to turn off power to charger after battery is charged. Two batteries may be installed in parallel to increase the operating time of lift. MATERIALS: Platform van lift; one or two 12-volt automotive batteries; battery charger; switch. TOOLS: Common mechanic's and electrician's tools. SKILLS REQUIRED: Carpentry and electrical (NOTE: Professional assistance installing this adaptation is recommended). TITLE: Step Lift. WEB SITE: Assistive Technology Solutions at http://www.atsolutions.org/devices/step_lift.htm. REF: Device Plans (Architectural Elements). Assistive Technology Solutions can be contacted at PO Box 3071, Burlington, VT 05401; jweisman@vtc.edu.

6. TYPOSCOPE

   ----CUSTOM ADAPTATION ---- PURPOSE: To aid a person who is blind or has low vision in writing checks. Unwanted x-ray film or plastic from an old notebook or portfolio cover is cut with a craft knife on a cutting board. To make a check writing guide, cover a check with tracing paper and draw rectangles around the sections the person will need to write in. If the person can make a signature but cannot print legibly, trace the signature area only. Tape the tracing paper over a sheet of plastic cut to the size and shape of the check. Use a craft knife to cut out the sections the person will be writing in. MATERIALS: Plastic, cutting board or mat, check, pencil, and tracing paper. TOOLS: Craft knife. SKILLS REQUIRED: Cutting and tracing. AUTHOR: Piscitello, J. TITLE: Check This Out: Typoscopes From Scratch. JOURNAL: RE:view. REF: Vol. 36, No. 3, Winter 2005: p. 167-168. PAGES (including cover): 3.

7. VAN SEAT EXTENTION

   ----CUSTOM ADAPTATION ---- PURPOSE: To enable transfers from the second row seat on the door side of a van, which was too distant for easy transfer. A padded box seat was built to temporarily fill the gap while the passenger enters the van. The box seat is removed to close the door. TITLE: The Van Seat Extention. WEB SITE: Workshop Solutions at http://www.workshopsolutions.com. REF: The originator, Tom Jeary, can be contacted at tlj@golden.net.

8. WALKER TRAY

   ----CUSTOM ADAPTATION ---- PURPOSE: To enable an individual who uses a reverse walker to transport such items as food on a plate or liquids. The individual needs to be able to keep both hands on the walker while transporting items. An 12x18 inch detachable wooden box-style tray is held horizontally by two uprights that hook over the top bar and rest on the lower bar of the walker. The tray has two divided compartments to hold juice and milk containers. The layout and size can be customized to suit indivual needs. TITLE: The Walker Tray. WEB SITE: Workshop Solutions at http://www.workshopsolutions.com. REF: The originator, Tom Jeary, can be contacted at tlj@golden.net.

9. WIDER WALKER

   ----CUSTOM ADAPTATION ---- PURPOSE: To widen a walker for a child who was growing out of the walker in width only. The manufacturer of this type of walker did not make a wider model. The adaptation was designed to make it wider, yet retain its strength. With the help of a machinist, three roundbars were turned to fit the ID of the tubes and also the OD. To prevent clothing from getting caught on the extensions or bolts, a curved head bolt and an acorn nut were used and the OD and ID were sized for smoothness. The width was increased two inches, which is wide enough for the child yet still allows him to get through doorways at home. The round bars were inserted in the crossmembers in the middle where they were cut with a hacksaw. TITLE: The Wider Walker. WEB SITE: Workshop Solutions at http://www.workshopsolutions.com. REF: The originator, John Weir, can be contacted at jweir@quadro.com.