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ERIC_ED313820

Technology for living

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ERIC_ED313820

Technology for living

Uploaded by

Abdul Rohman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 278

DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 313 820 EC 212 285

ALTHOR Enders, Alexandra, Ed.


TITLE Technology for Independent Living: Sourcebook.
INSTITUTION RESNA: Association for the Advancement of
Rehabilitation Technology, Washington, DC.; Wisconsin
Univ., Madison. Trace Center.
SPONS AGENCY National Inst. of Handicapped Research (ED),
Washington, D.C.
REPORT NO ISBN-0-932101-08-9
PUB DATE May 84
GRANT G008300045
NOTE 286p.; Prepared by Tools for Living in the Community
(TLC), Berkeley, California.
AVAILABLE FROM RESNA, Department 4813, Washington, DC ?0061-4813
($25.00).
PUB TYPE Guides Non-Classroom Use (055) -- Reference
Materials - Directories/Catalogs (132)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC12 Plus Postage.


DESCRIPTORS *Assistive Devices (for Disabled); Communication Aids
(for Disabled); Electronic Control; Elementary
Secondary Education; *Engineering Technology;
Financial Support; *Independent Living; Information
Services, Microcomputers; *Normalization
(Handicapped); *Physical Disabilities; Physical
Mobility; Recreational Activities; *Rehabilitation;
Sensory Aids; Vocational Rehabilitation

ABSTRACT
This sourcebook provides information for the
practical implementation of independent living technology in the
everyeqy rehabilitation process. "Information Services and Resources"
lists d_tabasesr clearinghouses, networks, research and development
programs, toll-free telephone numbers, consumer protection caveats,
selected publications, and technology resources related to specific
disabilities or age groups. "The Equipment Selection Process"
addresses the importance of systematic selection procedures and
provides guidelines for the initial client interview and an
independent living skills checklist. "Technology at Home" offers
advice on use of hospital beds at nome, nome management, personal
care, clothing and shoes, architectural adaptations, and
environmental control devices. "Educational and Vocational
Technology" descr:.bes technical aids which may benefit disabled
employees and students at all levels of education. "Recreational and
Leisure Technology" focuses on wheelchair sports, water sports,
winter sports, leisure activities such as gardening and fitness, and
toys and games. "Technology for Personal Mobility" deals with seated
wheeled systems, other types of mobility equipment such as walking
aids and lifts, seating and positioning technology, and personal
vehicles. Other sections include "Control, Communication and Sensory
Aids," "Microcomputer Applications," and "Funding, Models, Policy,
Statistics." (JDD)
U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
411A
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC)

00 Phis document has been reproduced n


received from the person or organization
originating it
Minor changes have been made to improve
reoroduchoo duality

r-i Points of view or opinions stated in this docu-


ment do not necessarily represent offiCial
OEM position or policy
CreJ

f=1

'TECHNOLOGY
For INDEPENDENT LIVING

SOURCEBOOK
"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Patricia Horner

TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES


INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC; "

INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES; THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS; EDUCA-


TIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY; RECREATIONAL & LEISURE TECHNOLOGY;
TECHNOLOGY FOR PERSONAL MOBILITY; CONTROL, COMMUNICATION & SENSORY AIDS;
MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS; FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

Association for the Advancement of Rehabilitation Technology

Alexandra Faders, O.T.R., Editor


4 BEST COPY AVAILABLE
Technology for
Independent Living
Sourcebook

Alexandra Enders, O.T.R.


Editor

Association for the Advancement of Rehabilitadon Technology, Publishers


Suite 700, 1101 Connecticut Avenue, N W Washington, D C 20036
202/857-1199

U
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
SOURCEBOOK

Third Printing

Copyright 1984

by the

Association for the Advancement


of Rehabilitation Technology

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This book may not be reproduced


in any form without the permission
of the publisher Individual pages
may be reproduced with proper
acknowledgment (except where
taken trom another source
which should be consulted)

RESNA, Suite 700


1101 Connecticut Avenue, N W
Washington, D C 20036
202/857-1199

Printed in the
United States of America

ISBN 0-932101-08-9
FOREWORD

A primary mission of the Education and Publication Committees of RESNA is to


promote the development of quality educational courses and materials for the member-
ship. Our efforts in the past, as with most new ventures, have been limited mostly
to individuals presenting their own research or clinical experiences Unfortunately,
this does little to draw on the experiences of others with th s goal towards
compiling a more objective knowledge base within a specific clinical area. that
then can be used by others as a valuable information source for problem-solving

This publication represents the second effort by the Education and Pub li, ation
Committees to compile our current knowledge base and related information sources in
the area of technology for independent living. The first was the Technology for
Independent Uvingi Resource Guide published last year. The Sourcebolk continues and
updates these materials, adding sections on control, communication and microcomputer
applications. It also extends the scope of the original Guido by adding material
to help consumers, practitioners and developers gain a better perspective on the
many and individual fields covered, as well as some understanding of the priorities
for intervention or action within them.

The original Resource Guide, and now the Sourcebook, reflect a trend in RESNA from
simply reporting on technology, toward the development and presentation of materials
and information on the practical implementation and application of technology in the
everyday rehabilitation process. This increasing orientation in RESNA toward more
service delivery and community-based information is a result of the growing number
of rehabilitation practitioners within RESNA who both seek and provide us with this
information

We are indebted to Alexandra Enders for setting the pace in this direction
as well as for the tremendous effort put forth in compiling, revising and
extending this Sourcebook.

A special thanks is also given to Maurice LeBlanc who provided the support for the
initial Resource Guie on which this book is based and to Christine Thompson, who,
under very tight timelines, typed and proofed the Sourcebook for publication

Gregg C. Vanderheiden
Chairman. Publications Committee
May, 1984

If you have or know of information which you believe should be in the next edition
of the SourcPbook. please forward the information to RESNA's office, attention
Sourcebook Editor. If you are willing to assist the Editor in compiling the
information for a section (existing or new) of the next edition, please contact
either the RESNA office or the Publication committee chairperson The quality,
accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Sourcebook is dependent upon participation by
consumers and professionals from each of the fields covered.

I TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT USING SOURCESOOK RESNA HIM I


This Book was prepared for RESNA
by the staff of
Tools for Living in the Community (TLC)
Berkeley, California
with production support from the
Trace Research and Development Center
Waisman Center, University of WisconsinMadison
under its Grant No. G008300045 from the
National Institute of Handicapped Research
U.S. Department of Education

,-,
U
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This sourcebook is based on an earlier Resource Guide, which was compiled


in conjunction with a RESNA-sponsored instructional course Technology for
Independent Living, Houston, 1982. Material for the Resource Guide was
contributed by the entire faculty. Lars Augustsson, Peter Axelson, Judy
Bernett, Kathy Bowman, Will Clark, Alexandra Enders, Lex Frieden, Debbie
Gilden, Marian Hall, John Leslie, Bob Kafka, Sam McFarland, Barry Romich,
Jim Tobias, Elaine Trifler, and Margaret Young. The document was compiled
and editwd at the Rehabilitation Engineering Center at Children's Hospital
at Stanford.

The need to expand and update the Resource Guide becar u obvious, and many
members of RESNA helped make this second edition happen. David Jaffee,
from the Palo Alto VA Rehabilitation R&D Center, had the original data
files translated so they would vork on the Trace Center's computers
Chris Thompson, of the Trace Center's staff, did all the typing, retyping,
and arrangement a mammoth job -- in record time Without her, this
book woula not have been produced

Special thanks also go to Kathy Bowman, Project Threshold, Rancho Los


Amigos Hospital; Jim Tobias, Rehabilitation Engineering Volunteer (REV)
Network. New York; Rick Holte, Rehabilitation Engineering Center,
Children's Hospital at Stanford, and John Brabyn, Smith-Kettlewell Rehabi-
litation Engineering Center, San Francisco, who all contributed new or
greatly revised sections. Marian Hall, ABLEDATA system manager, added new
Information to the Informatior Section as well as providing up-to-date
lists of manufacturers for several sections.

The staff of the Trace Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, made this


book a reality. Besides physically making It appear on paper, the Trace
staff added substantially to the new sections on Microcomputer ..pplica-
bons, and Communication, Control and Sensory Aids. Mary Brady, Dale
Bengston, and Francisco Villarruel all provided information. Gregg
Vanderheiden not only contributed several articles, but also helped with
the overall organization of the book, and the typesetting.

ill TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOWICEITOOK RESNA 1984 Ill


Each section of the Sourcebook was compiled from many sources including:

Information Resources Assistive Devices for Handicapped Students A


Model and Guild for a Statewide Delivery System.
'Things that Help the Handicapped Help Them- 1980 National Association of State Directors of
selves." Changing Times Magazine, November t983 Special Education, 1201 16th Street NW #610E,
Kip linger Magazina, 1729 H Street NW. Washington Washington. DC 20036
DC 200006. Joseph Stowitschek's Forward to "Technological
Advances in Special Education" Exceptional Edu-
Technology and the Handicapped. Office of Tech- cation Quarterly. Winter, 1984
nology Assessment, US Congress, Washington, DC
Project Teach Memphis City Schools, Division of
"Buyer Beware Shopping for Assistive Devices" Special Education, 2597 Avery Avenue, Memphis, TN
Sensory Aids Technology Update Sen. Ty Aids
Foundation, 399 Sheridan, Palo Alto, CA "A Resource Center arid Database Providing Educa-
tional and Vocational Access to Technical Fields
"Warranties Can Save You Time and Money" J for Persons with Cisabtlities Helen Woodall and
Schmitt, in Accent on Living, Spring 1981 P 0 Albert Cook Proceedings of the Sixth Annual
Box 700, Bloomington, IN Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering RESNA
4405 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD
Comfortably Yours Catalog 52 West Hunter Ave,
Maywood, NJ 07607 Special Needs Education Material for Vocational
and Industrial Education Part I Apparatus Plan
Book Part 2 Bibliography Ken Brewelheide,
Equipment Selection Process Department of Agricultural and Industrial Educa-
tion, Montana State University, Helena. MT
Kathy Bowman, OTR. Project Threshold, Rancho Los
Amigos Hospital, Downey, CA. Technology for Independent Living II Virginia
Stern & Martha Redden, editors AAAS, 1776 Massa-
chusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Technology at Home
Sam McFarland Southwest Research Institute San
"Hospital Beds Come Home." Helen Cicschi, RN, and Antonio, TX.
Mary Pat Erdner, RN RxHomeCare, May 1984
Barrington Publications, 825 Barrington .,venue. John Leslie Rehabilitation Engineering Center,
Los Angeles, CA 90049 Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas.
Wichita, KS
"Pressure Relief Characteristics of Six Thera-
peutic Mattress Surfaces" I Herszkowicz et al Designing for Functional Limitations James
Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Conference on Mueller Job Development Laboratory, The George
Rehabilitation Engineering. RESNA 4405 East-West Washington University, Washington, DC
Highway, Bethesda, MD.

Drawings reprinted from A Guide to Controls. Recreational and Leisure Technology


Children's Hospital at Sanford, Rehabilitation
Engineenng Center, 520 Willow Road, Palo Alto, "Technology for Recreation Technology for
CA Independent Living II Virginia Stern & Martha
Redden, editors WS, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue
Independence Through Environmental Control NW, Washington, DC
Systems. D. Symington. Canadian Rehabilitation
Council for the Disabled, 1 Younge Street, "Sports for Disabled Individuals" Rehab Brief,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada January 26, 1981 NIHR, NARIC 1407 Eighth
Street NE, Washington DC 20017
A Know-How Manual on Electricity for the Severely
Disabled and Their Families. A Auchincloss and Manufacturers of Sports Wheelchairs ABLEDATA
M. Youdin Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, System, NARIC. 4407 Eighth Street NE, Washington
New York University Medical Center, New York, NY DC '0017.
Jim Tobias. Rehabilitation Engineering Volunteer Smith & Hawken Catalog for Gardeners 25 Corte
Network, 201 W 85th Street #2E, New York, NY Madera, Mill Valley, CA 94941
10024.
"The Value of Toys" Howard Shane Communication
"Consum' r Alert." Judy Berke The Coordinator Outlook, April 1981 Artific dl Language Labora-
Magazine, 11417 Vanowen Street, North Hollywood, tory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
CA 91605.
"Exceptional Equipment for Exceptional Children"
Educational and Vocational Technology Criteria for Selecting Play Equipment for Early
Childhood Education Rifton Equipment, Rifton,
Assistive Devices for Handicapped Students. A NY.
Model and Guide for a Statewide Delivery System.
Prentice Romich Company Catalog Shreve. OH

r,
3
lv TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA IBM ie
"Making Toys for Handicapped Children" R "Hints on Operating a Successful Driver Education
McCorkey and D Jeffree Human Horizons Series, Program " Margaret Young, OTR Ontario Crippled
Souvenir Press, Ltd 43 Great Russell Street, Children's Centre, 350 Rumsey Road, Toronto,
London, Eng!ano. Ontario, Canada

Evaluation forms from Colorado Driving School,


Technology for Personal Mobility Englewood, CO

"Mobility Device Evaluation Guide" Helen Tsuda, Teaching Driver Education to the Physically Handi-
et al Children's Hospital at Stanford, Rehabili- capped Human Resources Center Albertson, NY
tation Engineering Center, Palo Alto, CA
Hand Controls and Assistive Devices for the
Drawing reprinted from Prentke Romich Catalog, Physically Disabled Driver Human Resources
Shreve, OH Center Albertson NY

"Batteries on Powered Wheelchairs The Do's and


Don'ts of Battery Care David Bayer Current Control, Communication and Sensory Aids
Expressions, Vol 1, No Newsletter of Prentke
1

Romich Company, Shreve, OH A Guide t.) Controls Children's Hospital at


Stanford, Rehabilitation Engineering Center, 520
Wheelchair Manufacturers. ABLEDATA System, NARIC, Willow Road, Palo Alto, CA
4407 Eighth Street NE, Washington DC 20017
"Controller Characteristics" Prentke Romich
"The Development of Wheelchair Standards" L Company, Shreve, OH
Phillips et al Proceedings of the Sixth Annual
Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering riESNA, "Switch Rules and Considerations for Communication
4405 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD Use" W Tracy and D Bevans Communication
Outlook, Winter 1984 Artificial Language
"Mobility Aids for the Blind" John Brabyn Laboratory, Michigan State Un,versity, East
Smith-Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences, Lansing, MI
2232 Webster St, San Francisco, CA
"Some Guidelines for Good Interfaces High
Paul Brand Editorial in Journal of Rehabilita- Technology Magazine April 1980
tion R&D Vol 20, #1, July 1983 Office of
Technology Transfer, VAPC, 752 Seventh Avenue, Nev. "What Kind of Communication Aids Are Available?"
York, NY Trace R&D Center, 314 Weisman Center, 1500
Highland Avenue, Madison WI
Choosing the Best Wheelchair Cushion for Your
Needs, Your Chair, and Your Lifestyle Peggy Jay James Heller's book review of Communication
Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilita- Systems for Severely Handicapped Persons In
tion, 25 Mortimer Street, London, England Rehabilitation Literature, November 1983
"The Effectiveness of Preventive Management in Sensory Aids Technology ptiate November 1983,
Reducing the Occurrence of Pressure Sores" 7 December 1983 Sensory Aids Found:Awn, 399
Krouskop et al Journal of Rehabilitation R&D Sheridan, Palo Alto, CA
Vol 20, #1, July 1983 Office of Technology
Transfer, VAPC, 752 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY
Microcomputer Applications
"A Br.ef Guide to Postural Seating Technology"
Ric:lard Holte Children's Hospital at Stanford, Personal Computers and the Disabled A Resource
Rehabilitation Engineering Center, 520 Willow Guide Apple Computer, Inc, Cupertino, CA
Road, Palo Alto, CA
Comparison of Apple, Epson, IBM Microcomputers
Seating for Children with Cerebral Palsy A for Applica Ions in Rehabilitation Systems for
Resource Manual Elaine Trefler, editor Persons with Physical Handicaps Trace R&D
University of Tennesee Rehabilitation Engineering Center, 314 Weisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue,
Program, 682 Court, Memphis, TN Madison WI

Douglas Hobson Um /ersity of Tennesee Rehabili- "Computer Shopping for the Blind Consumer"
tation Engineering Program, 682 Court, Meriiphis, Sensory Aids Technology Update Sensory Aids
TN Four-dation, 399 Sheridan, Palo Alto, CA
"Side by Side Trials An Evaluation Methodology Gregg Vanderheiden Trace R&D Center, 314 Weisman
for Comparative Testing of Modular Wheelchair Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison WI
Insert Systems" S Schar:ein, R Holte
Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Conference On "How Cat Use a Computer If I Can't Use Its
rtehabilitation Engneering RESNA, 4405 East-West Standard Keyboard?" Gregg Vanderheiden Trace
Highway, Bethesda, MD R&D Center, 314 Waisman Center, 1500 Highland
Avenue, Madison WI
Rehab Brief. June 25, 1964 NIHR, NARIC, 4407
Eighth Street NE, Washington DC 20017

tJ
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984
Network (Jews Vol 6, #3 Newsletter of the
Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network
Illinois Special Needs Population, Turner Hall
205, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Generic Model of Comptuer Applications for the


Handicapped (chart) Computer Technology for the
Handicapped in Special Education and Rehabilita-
tion A Resource Guide G Nave et al Inter-
national Council for Computers in Education,
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR.

Funding, Models, Policy, Statistics

"High Tech/High Touch" Douglas Fenderson, Ph.D


Discovery '83. Computers for the Disabled
Materials Development Center, Stout Vocation&
Rehabilitation Institute, University of Wisconsin-
Stout, Menominee, WI

"Public Service Community Development Block


Grants" Communication Outlook, Winter 1984
Artificial Language Laboratory, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, MI

Project Teach Memphis City Schools, Division of


Special Education, 2597 Avery Avenue, Memphis TN

Accomodation Can Be Reasonable A Study of Accom-


modations Provided to Handicapped Employees by
Federal Contractors Department of Labor,
Washington, DC

Disability Management Today Mueller & Zullo, In


16 Hudson Street, New York, NY

"Engineering Aids Reduce Barriers to Employment


for Severely Handicapped Clients" Rehab Brief,
Vol 1 #8, August, 1978 NIHR, NARIC, 4407 8th
Street NE, Washington DC 20017

Protect Threshold Annual Report 1982 Project


Threshold, Rancho Los Amig-is Hospital, Downey, CA

"Provision of Assistive Equipment for Handicapped


Persons" J Kohn et al Archives of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol 64, August 1983

"How Much Is Your Disability Worth?" Accent on


Living, Summer 1981 PO Box 700, Bloomington, IN

"Implications of Cost Effectiveness Analysis of


Medical Technology" Office of Technology
Assessment, US Congress, Washington, DC

Additionally, two sources were used throughout the


-xt

Easter Seals, bibliographies, brochures, and the


reviews in its bimonthly publication, Rehabilita-
tion Literature

National Rehabilitation Information Center


(NARIC) bibliographic sources and annotations

vi TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOU ICEBOOK RESNA 1984 vi


TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
1

INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES:


5

DATABASES, CLEARINGHOUSES, NETWORKS 5

COMPUTERIZED DATA RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS FOR TECHNICAL AIDS 5


ABLEDATA / HOW ABLE IS ABLEDATA? / BRS AFTER DARK 5
ACCENT ON INFORMATION 9
ASSIf VE DEVICE DATAEKSE SYSTEM (ADDS) 9
ERIC
9
NARIC .
10
OTHER ON-LINE DATABASES 10
WHERE HAVE ALL THE DEVICE DATABASES GONE? 11
INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSES 12
TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION EXCHANGE NETWORKS 14
CONFER 14
HEX
14
SPECIALNET 14
INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION ON TECHNICAL AID INFORMATION SYSTEMS 15

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMEN1 PROGRAMS ON TECHNICAL AIDS 16

TOLL FREE NUMBERS 21

CONSUMER PROTECTION 26

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER RESOURCES 27

PUBLICATIONS WHICH PROVIDE DISABILITY & TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW 27


DISABILITY BOOKS WHICH HAVE USEFUL INFORMATION ON DEVICES 27
PRODUCT DIRECTORIES 28
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO ASSISTIVE DEVICES 29
SOURCES OF CURRENT INFORMATION 30
AUDIOVISUALS 31
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 31

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES RELATED TO SPECIFIC DISABILITIES OR AGE GROUPS 32


ARTHRITIS
32
CEREBRAL PALSY
32
DISABLED CHILDREN 32
DISABLED ELDERLY 34
LARYNGECTOMY 34
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS 34
ONE-HANDED 34
OSTOMY 35
PARI:INSON'S DISEASE 35
STROKE
35

FOR INFORMATION SPECIALISTS 35

THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS 39

EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS 39

EVALUATION FORMATS 42

GUIDELINES FOR INITIAL CLIENT INTERVIEWS (PROJECT THRESHOLD) 43


INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS CHECKLIST (CIL) 47

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
53
DEVICE SELECTION, BASIC USE AND TRAINING 53

1 t_

TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVNG SOURCEBOCK RESNA 1964


TECHNOLOGY AT HOME 55

TECHNOLOGY AT HOME 55

INTRODUCTION ,
57
HOSPITAL BEDS AT HOME 57
HOME MANAGEMENT 60
PERSONAL CARE 62
CLOTHING & SHOES 62
ARCHITECTURAL ADAPTATIONS 63

MORE PUBLICATIONS ON AT-HOME TECHNOLOGY & TECHNIQUES 64

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR THE HOME 66

EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY 73

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM 75

INTRODUCTION 75
TECHNOLOGY SERVICE DELIVERY 75
PROJECT TEACH A MODEL PROGRAM 75
ORGANIZATIONS 76
RESOURCE CENTER 77
EDUCATIONAL AIDS INFORMATION RESOURCES 78
MANUFACTURERS 78
ORGANIZATIONS 78
DATABASES 78
RESOURCES 79

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION 82

TECHNOLOGY AT THE WORKPLACE 85

INTRODUCTION 85
COSTS 85
WORKSTATION DESIGN 85
THREE CASE STUDIES 89
FARMING .. 90
A RESOURCE FOR DEVELOPING ACCESSIBLE JOBSITES 91
TECHNOLOGY FOR EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES 91
ORGANIZATIONS 91
GROUPS CONCERNED WITH COMPUTER EMPLOYMENT 92
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 99
PUBLICATIONS 99
PERIODICALS 101
CATALOGS AND D'RECTORIES 102

RECREATIONAL & LEISURE TECHNOLOGY 105

INTRODUCTION: TECHNOLOGY FOR RECREATION 105

SPORTS 109

DISABILITY-RELATED NATIONAL SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS 109


NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH INTEREST IN RECREATION FOR DISABLED PEOPLE 109

WHEELCHAIR SPORTS 11I

SPORTS WHEELCHAIRS 111


BASKETBALL 112
FOOTBALL 112
MARATHON RACING 112
MOTORCYCLING 112
SOFTBALL 112
TENNIS 112

TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984


11
RECREATIONAL & LEISURE TECHNOLOGY, cont

WATER SPORTS 113


BOATING 113
SCUBA 114
WATERSKIING 114

WINTER PORTS 115


SKIING 115
SKATING 116

OTHER SPORTS 117


BOWLING
117
GOLF 117
FLYING 117
HUNTING & FISHING 11/
ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS 118

AUDIOVISUALS 118
SOME LOCAL RECREATION PROGRAMS 119
LEISURE ACTIVITIES 122
GARDENING 122
MUSIC 122
NEEDLEWORK
123
FITNESS
124
TRAILS
124

TOYS AND GAMES 125


THE VALUE OF TOYS 125
CRITERIA FOR GOOD EQUIPMENT 175
CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOY 125
CONCEPT OF CONTROL 126
A NOTE ON SAFETY 126
DO IT YOURSELF 126
PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST iN TOYS AND GAMES 126
SOME MANUFACTURERS OF SPECIAL TOYS 127
TOY LIBRARIES 128
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS TOYS & GAMES 130
PLAYGROUNDS 132

TECHNOLOGY FOR PERSONAL MOBILITY 135

MOBILITY DEVICES 135


SEATED HEELED SYSTEMS 135
MOBILITY DEVICE EVALUATION GUIDE 135
WHEELCHAIR CONTROL SYSTEM:: 1, 5
BATTERIES FOR WHEELCHAIRS 146
INFORMATION RESOURCES ON WHEELCHAIRS 147
SOME COMMERCIAL SOURCES OF WHEELCHAIRS 149
IMO ORGANIZATIONS 152
'WHEELCHAIR STANDARDS 152
MOTILITY BEYOND SEATED WHEELED SYSTEMS 153
CHOOSING & USING OTHER TYPES OF MOBII ITY EQUIPMENT 153
(WALKING AIDS, LIFTS, ETC I
PROTECTIVE AIDS 153
MOBILITY FOR BLIND PEOPLE 154

TECHNO' ;GT FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984


TECHNOLOGY FOR PERSONAL MOBILITY, cont

SEATING ANO POSITIONING TECHNOLOGY 156

INTRODUCTION . 156
THE FUNCTION OF A WHEELCHAIR CUSHION 156
PRESSURE RELIEF 157
POSTURAL SEATING . 159
A BRIEF GUIDE TO POSTURAL SEATING TECHNOLOGY 159
SEATING SERVICE PROGRAMS 164
COMMERCIAL SOURCES 166
SIDE-BY-SIDE TRIALS 170
PUBLICATIONS 172
BIBLIOGRAPHY 173
AUDIOVISUALS 178

PERSONAL VEHICLES 179

INTRODUCTION 179
HINTS ON OPERATING A SUCCESSFUL DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM 179
ASSOCIATION OF DRIVER EDUCATORS 4 THE DISABLED 180
DRIVING EVALUATION FORMS 181
EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATION FORM 185
CAR SELECTION AND PURCHASE 185
GUIDE TO THE USE OF HAND CONTROLS AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES 186
OTHER RESOURCES' PUBLICATIONS AND AUDIOVISUALS 187
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 189

CONTROL. COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS 193

CONTROL 193

INTRODUCTION 193
CONTROLLER CHARACTERISTICS 194
GUIDELINES FOR SWITCHES 195
UUIDELINES FOR GOOD INTERFACES 195
'NTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZED INTERCONNECTION PROJECT 196
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS CONTROL / ND ASSESSMENT 197
SOME MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS OF CONTROLS 198
ALTERNATIVES TO PURCh _E DO IT YOURSELF 201
R&D ORGANIZATIONS 202

COMMUNICATION 203

WHAT KINDS OF COMMUNICATION T7CHNIQUES ARE AVAILABLE? 203


WRITING & TYPING 204
ISAAC . . 205
GUIDES TO COMMUNICATION AIDS 205
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 206
AUDIOVISUALS 207
SERVICE CENTERS 208
NONSPEECH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS 211
SOME COMMUNICATION AID MANUFACTURERS 213
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 215

SENSORY AIDS 216

TECHNOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED VISION 216


SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 216
PRODUCT CATALOGS 217
AUDIOVISUALS 217
OTHER hESOURCES 218

TECHNOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED HEARING 219


EQUPMENT DEMONSTRATION CENTERS 219
DEAFNET 212
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 220
ORGANIZATIONS 222
7:A.'s 223

TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984


1111AOCOMPUTER APPL'CATIONS 227

INTRODUCTION 227

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING A COMPUTER 227

COMPUTER SHOPPING FOR THE BLIND CONSUMER 228

AN ISSUE OF ACCESS 230

COMPUTER-RELATED INFORMATION FROM TRACE CENTER 232

USING A COMPUTER WHEN YOU CAN'T USE ITS STANDARD KEYBOARD 233

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE 236

PUBLICATIONS 236
CLEARINGHOUSES e: CATALOGS 237
NEWSLETTERS 238
MASS MARKET COMPUTER MAGAZINES 238
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS 239
INFORMATION EXCHANGE NETWORKS 241
RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL APPLICATIONS 243
IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 243
IN COGNITIVE REHABILITATION 244
VOICE INPUT 245
VOICE OUTPUT 245
COMPUTER ACCESS FOR BLIND PEOPLE 246

SOFTWARE/HARDWARE REGISTRY FORMS 247

FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS 251

FUNDING 251

A FUNDING RESOURCE NETWORK? 251


FUNDING FOR DEVICES 251
SOME IDEAS FOR REDUCING PRODUCT COSTS 252
USED EQUIPMENT 252
EQUIPMENT LOANS 253
TAX DEDUCTIONS 253
DO-IT-YOURSELF 253
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS ON FUNDING FOR DEVICES 254
A NOTE ON FUNDRAISING 256

SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS 257

EXAMPLES OF SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS 257


A MODEL PROGRAM FOR SERVICE DELIVER' 257
AN INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE CENTER 257
A PROJECT IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM 258
AN INSTITUTION-BASLD ADAPTIVE AID SERVICE 259
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS DELIVERY MODELS 260

PUBLIC POLICY AND TECHNOLOG1 FOR DISABLED PEOPLE 261

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 261

TECHNOLOGY CO ST/ EFFECTIVENES S/BENEFIT 262

STATISTICAL INFORMATION RESOURCES 264

TE1HNOLOGV FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984


INTRGOUCTION

We all use "technical aids" With the advance of technology, physical strength and ability have
declined as the primary measure of worth and the oely means to compete for survival When we
need to accomplish a task beyond our physical capabilities, a tool is developed to make that
task possible or safer or faster or Just easier and more corvement One of the identifying
features of the human species has been its skill at making and using tools The story of
humankind can readily be told as the history of the development of technological innovation

Compared to the enormous power of machirary, a'l ,uman beings are phisicaily limited At each
point in history, society defines and redefines the criteria for physical and mental normalcy
Certain members are excluded from being able to independently maintain themselves based on these
arbitrary limits In cases where technology is able to acceptably compensate for the limita-
tion, especially when a significant portion of the population has a similar disability, the
limitation is redefined as being whin normal limits, and those people are no longer stigma-
tized as being handicapped Disab.lity a matter of degree Technology .:an reduce the gap.
as in the case of eyeglasses Not even airline personnel are discriminated against any longer
for wearing corrective lenses Lower back problems seem to be headed into the "normal" range
there is a store in Boston specializing in low back problems, and it is definitely not focusing
its marketing strategy toward the "disability" market, its target is the "normal" person with a
back problem Hearing aids also appear to be heading out of the "adaptive aid" category, even
the U S President now openly wears one, and thi. advertising campaigns for hearing aids are
increasingly emphasizing convenience, happiness, and quality of life

The last ten years have been exciting times in the field of applied technology for disabled
people. From a time when there weie very few devices, we now have a situation where there a-e
more crevices than anyone can keep track of without the help of a computer R&D efforts have
increased, service delivery is beginning to change from an art to a science, and we can begin to
exchange ideas about how and why we have succeeded and failed

Along with the many new devices that are now on the market or under development, there has come
an explosion of information about technical aids for disabled people If you are an information
specialist, you may find yourself inundated with it If you are a practitioner or a consumer,
you may know it's out there, but not know quite where to find it This Sourcebook was written
to help make some sense out of the sometimes bewildering array of information available on
technical aids for disabled people

The emphasis throughout is on practica: applications of technology Many sources have been
quoted, to give you an idea of the resources that you have available to you

Organizations and people have been listed who may be able to help find answers for your ques-
tions Publications are listed as sources of more information A few of the publications are
out of print, but have been included because they are classics, still useful, and nothing better
exists to supercede them They can generally be found in therapy departments or rehabilit,'.on
medicine units

There is one major resource that has not been specifically referred to in this g, 'e As a
group, this resource is often overlooked, even though their information is usually the most
effective, least expensive, and has stood the test of time disabled consumers Find tnem, ask
them que ions, listen to them Trade nformationl Mrs B may want to know about shower
benches, but she probably has a wealth of information about kitchens This informatiun has
proven its reliability and validity Take advantage of it whenever possible

A listing of local community resources was '-eyond the scope of this book If you don t know
where else to start looking, try the yellow pages of the phone directory These are some
suggested headings crutches, wheelchairs, wheelchair lifts and romps, van conversions, hearing
aids, handicapped equipment, physical therapy equipment, physician's & surgeon's equipment and
supplies surgical appliances and supplies, 13habolotation services, home health services,
handicapped assistance,handicapped transportation services, human services organizations, social
service organizations, rental service stores, associations Your directory may have others

This resource guide is not intended to convey everything you always needed to know about tech-
nology for disabled people It is, however, a good place to start if you are looking for
practical information Good luck'

ajtAsynp.)4.4.40, FALsbiAle

u
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDErZNOENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 1
A NOTE ON MYSTIFICATION: Avoiding Hardware Inferiority Complexes (HIC)

Often nontechnologists look at the designer-technician as a wizard It is important to deflate


this myth Everyone has excellent ideas for devices, but these ideas might never see the light
of day, due to a hardware inferiority complex (HIC) Designs at the grassroots level, by the
way, have HICs with respect to the even more wizard-like R&D programs'

If the idea is to provide functional services, then we must give up this socially enforced
tendency to worship equipment and refocus on people Here are some phrases to repeat before a
mirror

If you are not a technologist "I don't care if it 1.; 'state-of-the-arty" "No, I'm not dumb,
you lust have to learn to express yourself sc we can understand you" "Microprocessor, shmicro-
processor,"

If you are a technologist "Sixty seconds of .11ence" (You may have to work up to this I
"That sounds like a good idea Can I explain how we might be able to build it7" "Gee, I didn't
know that"

Jim Tobias
"Grassroots Rehabilitation Technology and the Delivery System"
HAAS Workshop, Houston, Texas
December 4-5, 1980

A NOTE ON TECHNGPHILIA

The danger exists that technology will be viewed as an end in itself, not as a means to an end
Technology produces two groups of people those who love it (technophiles) and those who don't
(technophobes) Some people have a low "gadget tolerance," and don't feel comfortable around
sophisticated assistive devices Questions about gadget tolerance must be asked of the
pruvider, the consumer, and the caregiver Devices obviously shouldn't be pushed on someone who
doesn't like them, they'll end up in the closet But there is another danger here, that of the
"technophile," the person with a high gadget tolerance Sometimes devices are requested because
they are new, innovative, "glittery," not because they are best suited to the individual
Please note that when questioning the degree of gadget tolerance, the provider who is asking the
question should do some self-examination at that point, and also look at the motivation of other
team members who are recommending devices

Alexandra Enders
"Questionable Devices"
Special Sessions
Second International Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
June, 1984

2 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1984 2


Information
Resources
INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES: -5

DATABASES. CLEARINGHOUSES. NETWORKS c

COMPUTERIZED DATA RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS FOR TECHNICAL AIDS 5


ABLEDATA / HOW ABLE IS ABLEDATA7 / BRS AFTER DARK 5
ACCENT ON INFORMATION 9
ASSISTIVE DEVICE DATABASE SYSTEM (ADDS) 9
ERIC . . 9
NARIC - 10
OTHER ON-LINE DATABASES 10
WHERE HAVE ALL THE DEVICE. DATABASES GONE' 11
INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSES 12
TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION EXCHANGE NETWORKS 14
CONFER 14
HEX . 14
SPECIALNET 14
INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION ON TECHNICAL AID INFORMATION SYSTEMS 15

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ON TECHNICAL AIDS 16

TOLL FF:EE NUMBERS 21

CONSUMER PROTECTION 26

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER RESOURCES 27

PUBLICATIONS WHICH PROVIDE DISABILITY & TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW 27


DISABILITY BOOKS WHICH HAVE USEFUL INFORMATION ON DEVICES 27
PRODUCT DIRECTORIES 28
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO ASSISTIVE DEVICES 29
SOURCES OF CURRENT INFORMATION 30
AUDIOVISUALS 31
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 31

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES RP ATED TO SPECIFIC DISABILITIES OR AGE GROUPS 32

ARTHRITIS 32
CEREBRAL PALSY 32
DISABLED CHILDREN 32
DISABLED ELDERLY 34
LARYNGECTOMY 34
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS 34
ONE-HANDED 34
OSTOMY 35
PARKINSON'S DISEASE 35
STROKE 35

FOR INFORMATION SPECIALISTS 35

4 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 4


DATABASES, CLEARINGHOUSES, NETWORKS

COMPUTERIZED DATA RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS FOR TECHNICAL AIDS

WHAT IS A COMPUTERIZED DATABASE?

A computerized database is a body of information stored in a computer


The information gets into the computer via devices such as word processors
or computerized typesetting machines which translate the words and sen-
tences into the numbers which the computer can manipulate Modern com-
puters are large enough and fast enough to hold billions of words and read
them all in seconds A data search is what happens when the computer scans
a database for the occurrence of specified words, resulting .n tne recovery
of the desired information

THE ABLEDATA SYSTEM

The ABLEDATA System Is a computerized data re- fined to assure you of the most current product
trieval system for information on rehabilitation information
products, funded b' the National Institute for
Handicapped Research of the U S Department of Products listed in ABLEDATA extend from the simple
Education and operated by the National Rehaoilita- to the sophisticated and reflect a broad range of
tion Information Center (NARIC) The ABLEDATA equipment needs Products are identified by the
product database lists commercially available following categories
rehabilitation products. The national database
lists only manufacturers, sole distributors or o Personal care o Home management
national distributors with unique mail-order pro- o Vocational/Educational o Mobility
duct catalogs Bibliographic materials and organ- o Seating o Transportation
ization information are available through BRS on o Communication o Recreation
REHABDATA (NRIC), also maintained by NARIC Using o Ambulation o Therapeutic Aids
ABLEDATA can help people make more informed deci- o Orthotics /Prosthetucs o Sensory Aids
sions about purchasing the appropriate aids or
devices they require
WHAT DOES AN ABLEDATA PRODUCT LISTING INCLUDE'
ABLEDATA can provide answers to questions like
Each ABLEDATA product listing includes the follow-
My uncle has impaired vision What kinds of ing descriptive information
reading aids are available to help him?
o Common product name
My company is developing an Employee Assistance o Brind name
Plan Is there a resource for equipment which o Manufacturer
could help those people injured on-the-job to o Cost
return to work quickly' o Description of the product
o Informal user comments (if available)
Kelly had always enjoyed carpentry and I think o Abstracts of formal evaluations (if available)
it would be therareutic to continue, but
maneuvering standard tools is impossible How
can I find out what adaptive devices are HOW CAN A PRODUCT BE LISTED ON ABLEDATA'
available'
ABLEDATA welcomes recommendations from product
I manufacture fishing gear and have developed a users, researchers, health professionals and manu-
fishing pole mount for wheelchairs Is there a facturers regarding equipment and devices to add
centralized place to list its availability' to the database. In addition, the staff reviews
journals and manufacturer catalogs as well as
My patient wants to star out of a nursing home, contacting individuals on the field of rehabilita-
but wonders about maintaining a daily routine tion for new product ideas
alone Are i,,re devices which would help"
As an integral component with the actual database,
Pat will be going back to work shortly I think the ABLEDATA System includes a network of informa-
a van would be a wise purchase at this point, tion Brokers The Network of Information Brokers
but how can I get comparative irformation about consists of Regional Information Brokers trained
van modifications to help Pat make an informed by NARIC to successfully access ABLEDATA's product
decision? listings Regional Information Brokers are em-
ployed by a variety of rehabilitation related
facilities and organizations They serve as a
ABLEDATA lists over 10,000 products which are local access point for product information The
commercially available Further, ABLEDATA is Information Broker provides interpretation of the
updated monthly, which means that the F.,roduct clients' requests or needs for obtaining informa-
listings are continually being expanded and re- tion from the database and provides additional
r.
A.
5 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 19$4 5
INFORMATION SEAVICES AND RESOURCES

information on local or regional vendor resources Identifiers, and all generic or common product
and other related services for the products. names listed by category In addition, a separate
and more detailed index is available with all
Requests for information about equipment nay be terms indexed alphabetically with alternative
directed to the Brokers by anyone, including dis- terms (or synonyms) and cross-references for ap-
abled individuals or family members, rehabilita- propriate searching terms The ABLEDATA Thesaurus
tion professionals, manufacturers or vendors, (2nd edition) is available for $25 00, including
educators, public or private agencies, or re- postage and all supplements Searching the data-
searchers. In addition to computer printout in- base is accomplished by free text searching This
formation, the Information Broker can provide method of searching may use either words desig-
photocopies of the manufacturer's literature for nated in the controlled vocabulary or may be
further detailed information, and for local re- searched using any word or phrase in conjunction
quests the Broker can provide supplier informa- with applied limitations or operators Any of the
tion, sources for repair and maintenance or other fields or paragraphs may be searched but consis-
related resources and referrals tency of terminology within tile data entries is
DATA ENTRY FORMAT particularly critical with free text searching
NARIC provides training workshops specifically for
The content of each data entry in the files in- learning to search ABLEDATA
cludes the following fields
SAMPLE DATA ENTRY
AN Accession number (Computer record ID number,
includes code for year/month data entered) AN 83-07-006900
NM Generic name of item NM INSULIN SYRINGE INFUSER
BN Brand name (trade name and/or model number) BN ACCU RINGE MODEL SP250, INSULIN PUMP
MN Manufacturer's name MN DELTA MEDICAL INDUSTRIES
CD Manufacturer's and distrtutor's code numbers CD 1372
to locate address AV MANUFACTURER
AV Availability (major distributors or developer CT $1,50000, 0583
if not commercially available) DE INSULIN PUMP FOR CONTROLLING BLOOD GLUCOSE
CT Cost/date LEVELS UNIT IS SIZE OF A PACK OF
DE Description- -brief statement describing item CIGARETTES CLIPPED TO BELT OR WORN IN
CM Comments includes information evaluative POCKET CONNECTING SYRINGE IS INJECTED INTO
data, contraindications, limitations, etc SKIN AND TAPED HOLDS FOUR DAY SUPPLY OF
(from disabled individuals, rehabilitation INSULIN USES U-100 UNDILUTED INSULIN
professionals, etc (OTHER CONCENTRATIONS CAN BE USED) UNIT IS
EV Evaluation -- formally documented test results PROGRAMMED TO DELIVER INSULIN AT MULTIPLE
ID Identifiersindex terms from controlled TIMES ACCORDING TO THE USERS SELF MONITORED
vocabulary listed in thesaurus BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS 1 1/16 BY 2 5/8 BY 4
3/8 INCHES 5 112 OUNCES SYRINGE 3 CC P3-
Generic Name, Brand Name, Manufacturer, Distribu- 0-L BATTERY NICKLE CADMIUM RECHARGEABLE
tors, Cost and Description are self-explanatory BATTERY OR NON RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
and must be completed for each data entry The DELIVERY TUBE 2 FEET LONG INTERNAL VOLUME
Accession Number is not used for searching the 12 UNITS NEEDLE STANDARD LUER HUB. NUMBER
database The first four digits identify the 25 TO 27, 1/2 TO 3/4 INCHES LONG ON/OFF
month and year the data was entered intc he REVERSE CONTROLS BASE RATE FROM 0 28 UNITS
system, and the last six digits are a document OF INSULIN PER HOUR TO 28 INSULIN UNITS PER
identification number for internal editing pur- HOUR (99 OPTIONS) ID PERSONAL CARE
poses A Code Number is assigned to each manufac- PERSONAL HEALTH
turer and distributor and is used to access a CM MUST HAVE A DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION TO RECEIVE
separate file to obtain the address of desired PRODUCT
companies. Presently the fields, or paragraphs,
for Comments and Evaluation are not completed for The ABLEDATA System is designed as a central data-
all data entries, these are completed as the in- base, and is stored at Bibliographic Retrieval
formation is submitted or otherwise available Services (BRS) in 1.tham, New York It may be
Comments include informal use evaluation or gen- accessed anywhere in the country, or internation-
eral comments from disabled individuals, health ally, by persons with subscriptions to BRS through
professionals or anyone desiring to share informa- special telecommunications lines lie, Telenet,
tion regarding giroducts All data submitted is Tymnet) BRS subscriptions range from !1600 to
reviewed before input to the system, and verified $3500 per connect hour, and telecommunication
if necessary The Evaluation field is for for- charges range from $600 to $11 00 per connect
mally documented evaluation results, primarily hour There is a $15.00 per hour/$1 5 per
from research programs Evaluation results may be citation royalty for public access to ABLEDATA
reproduced in total or summarized if lengthy, with Each program generates its own policy regarding
references for obtaining the complete results charging fees for providing searches of ABLEDATA
or other databases Some provide searches free of
The :dentifier field is the only paragraph re- cost; others havo minimal fees As of 2/1/84,
quired to use a controlled vocthulary. These NARIC charges $10.00 per search providing up to
terms are assigned from the list of categories and 100 citations, and $5 00 for every additional 100
sub-categories listed in the ABLEDATA thesaurus citations (or portion thereof)
The thesaurus for ABLEDATA is being developed
simultant.ously with the data entries, The The-
saurus includes all controlled vocabula" or
21
6 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 6
INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

HOW CAN I ACCESS ABLEDATA'S INFORMATION? Ricardo G Cerna


Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
If you would like personal assistance to effec- 131 W Wilson St 7th Floor
tively retrieve ABLEDATA's product information, P 0 Box 7852
contact a trained ABLEDATA broker Madison, WI 53707
(608)266-1998

ABLEDATA INFORMATION BROKERS Elizabeth Levy


Adaptive Equipment Resource Specialist
Megan Ranaall or Barbara Lerner Vermont Center for Independent Living
National Rehabilitation Information Center 174 River Street
4407 8th Street, N E Montpelier, VT 05602
Washington, DC 20017-2299 (802)229-0501
(202) 635-6090 (800)622-4555 (Vermont only)

Sue Gask,n Wendell Finger


Division of Rehabilitation Services Rehab Eng Section
Department of Human Services California Department of Rehabilitation
1401 Brookwood Drive 830 K Street Mall
P 0 Box 3781 Sacramento, CA 94814
Little Rock, AR 72203 (9161323-2959
(501)371-7596
June Holt
Barbara J Warren, Information Specialist Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
PAM Assistance Centre 20 Park Plaza, Room 331
110 Marshall Street Boston, MA 02116
Lansing, MI 48912 (6171727-1140
(517) 371-5897
Ruth Lampert
Lynda Harbert Veterans' Administration
Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, REC 252 7th Avenue
7601 E Imperial Highway, 500 Hut New York, NY 10001
Downey, CA 90242 (212)620-6702
(213)922-8116
Roger Levy
Resource Library Texas Rehabilitation Commission
Moss Rehabilitation Hospital 118 E Riverside Drive
12th Street & Tabor Road Austin, TX 78704
Philadelphia, PA 19141 (512)445-8000
(215) 329-5715
Carolyn Ramey
Bill Steenbeke Access Alaska
Independent Living 841 E Dowling Road
Memorial Hospital Anchorage, AK 99502
615 N Michigan (907)563-4060
So Bend, IN 46601
1212) 284-7450 Anne Holmes
National Deaf-Blind Information & Resource Center
Jerry Asay 2930 ''urtle Creek Plaza
Utah State Div of Rehabilitation Services Suite i02
Rehabilitation Service Center Dallas, TX 75219
250 East 500 South (214)522-4540
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801)533-5991 Helen Stonehill
International Center for Disabled
Lois Byrum 340 E 24th Street
Minnesota Division ci Vocational Rehabilitation New York, NY 10010
501 Capitol Square Building (212)679-0100 x 307
St Paul, MN 55101
(612)296-6684 Dave Shaffer
Human Resources Center
Alice B Kuller I W Willets Road
Hirmarville Rehabilitation Center Albertson, NY 11507
Guys Run Road (516)747-5400
130 Box 11460
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412)781-5700 x 508

7 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 7


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

Bibliographic Retrieval Services people with disabilities get into the bathtub
Items range from a heavy-duty polyvinyl cushion
If you would prefer to access ABLEDATA directly, that inflates with water cnd costs less than $300
it is available to anyone with a subscription to to an electric, stainless steel, floor-mounted
Bibliographic Retrieval Services MRS) For In- left priced at more than $2,300
formation regarding the equipment and resources
necessary to publicly access ABLEDATA. call or "Some 47 different bathtub benches end shower
write BRS, 1200 Route 7, Latham NY 12110, stools are distributed by 32 companies A molded
800/833-4707. New York residents call 518/783- plastic seat with no back support costs $11, a
1161 vinyl upholstered chair snd backrest with remov-
able arms sells for $265
BRS AFTER DARK "Nineteen manufacturers offer 23 different powered
mobility products, starting with a battery-
To directly access the ABLEDATA or REHABDATA, you operated metal frame with small wheels and foot-
must have a subscription to BRS (Bibliographic rests that converts most standard four-legged
Retrieval System) The BRS Search Service, which chairs into motorized vehicles for indoor use It
is used by major research centers, cornorations costs about $860 At the top of the line is a
and university libraries around the world, 's now four-wheeled, eight-speed electric cart for either
available to the home computer user Called indoor or outdoor travel It can reach speeds of
BRS/AFTER DARK, this comprehensive new service up to 22 mph and retails for around $3,000
provides access to information from millions of
journals, reports, books and articles via a trans- "Fourteen different models of emeraency alert
parent, user-friendly interface to the sopnisti- systems are available from manufacturers A $60
cated BRS Search software Available from 6 p m unit consisting o' a wireless remcte-control sig-
until midnight. local time, the service offers naler that can be clipped to a pocket, bed or
dramatically reduced searching casts during con- wheelchair activates an alarm receiver plugged
venient, after-work hours BRS/AFTER DARK is into a standard outlet up to 100 feet away At
available for a one -time subscription fee of $75 the other end of the spectrum is an exotic $2,300
which covers the search service, the BRS/AFTER microprocessor-based system that periodically re-
DARK Newsletter, electronic mail, and other quests a simple response from the person it is
services. Access to BRS/AFTER DARK costs as monitoring
little as $6.00 per connect hour, include 'NINET
telecommunications charges Further in ition "A variety of 60 lines of men's and women's cloth-
is available from Cathy Anderson, BRS/AFTErt DARK, ing with special off-and-on features are available
1200 Route 7, Latham, NY 12110, 518/783-1161 from 16 listed manufacturers Items range from
easy slip-on blouses priced at about $5 up to an
$85 jacket with Velcro fasteners in the front
HOW ABLE IS ABLEDATA?
The article goes on to say that
In the November 1983 issue of Changing Times Maga-
zine, an article, "Things that help the handi- With the printouts from Abledata /ou can get a
capped help themselves," reported the following good idea of the variety of products available,
information who makes them and how much you can expect to
pay Printouts may also include names of local re-
"To get a first-hand idea of just how well the sources and distributors"
computerized product ident'fication system
works, Changing Times sought information cn a Reprinted with permission from Changing Times, The
variety of products selected at random We re- Kip linger Magazine, November 1983 issue Copy-
quested information on right 1J83 by The Kip linger Washington Editors,
Inc, 1729 H Street NW, Washington, DC This
"o a hammer that a one-armed person could use, reprint is not to be altered in any way, except
o a device to help a paralyzed person get into with permission from Changing_Times
a bathtub,
o an immersible bench that a disabled person THE ABLEDATA USERS' GROUP
can use in a bathtub or s. ower,
o powerad modes of transportation other than The ABLEDATA Users' Group is an association of
expensive electric wheelchairs, individuals and organizations who access ABLEDATA
o a means by which a disabled person could regularly The annual fee is $35 The Users'
summon help in an emergency, and Group was created in response to the diversity of
o clothing designed especially for people with ABLEDATA's users The Users' Group accomodates a
disabilities wide variety o participants by allowing the
ABLEDATA staff to target the,' technical
"A few days later we received a package of print- assistance toward specific needs
outs the informed us that
For more information, contact ABLEDATA, 4407
"United ?acific Curp, 245 Roosevelt Rd, West Eighth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017, 202/635-
Chicago, III 60185, manufacturers a hammer with 6090, TOO 202/35-5684
nail slots in a magnetized head that allows one-
hand use. It retails for about $20

"Twenty-five companies make devices that help

TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 8


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DEVICES: OTHER PRODUCT-RELATED DATA SYSTEMS

Accent on Information, P 0 Box 700, Bloomington, bases of information for the disabled In most
IL 61701
cases, the information will be available within 24
hours
A commercial computerized product database with
data entries organized by categories of equipment To initiate a search or to request a search form
and by disability function Data entries include call 800/275-8700 (in California, 800/223-2437),
ideas for how to make or adapt equipment, and or write American International Data Search, Inc,
organizations of interest to disabled persons 2326 Fair Oaks Blvd, Suite C, Sacramento, CA
Total database includes 5,400 entries, repre- 95825
senting approximately-1.000 companies, developers
and organizations Product printouts are avail ERIC Clearinghouse on Handicapped and Gifted
able by mail for a cost of $12 00 for the first 50 Children, 1910 Association Drivk,, Reston, VA
entries and $08 for every additional citation 22091, 703/820-3660
Photocopies of the literature can be provided for
some products Each data entry lists the product Information on curricula, teaching methods, re-
name, cost, and a brief description search, program descriptions, assessment and other
topics related to the education of handicapped and
Accent Buyer's Guild grew out of the information gifted children can be fund in the Council on
system, and lists manufacturers, distributors, and Exceptional Children (CEC) quarterly abstract
organizations, classified by product type or journal Exceptional Child Education Resources
function It is an abbreviated version of the (ECER) and in the ERIC monthly abstract journals
database holdings Information listed includes Resources in Education (RIE) and Current Index to
names and addresses only Cost is $10 00 Journals in Education (CIJE). These three
publications provide you with abstracts of journal
Assistive Device Database System (ADDS) articles, books, research reports, conference
proceedings, curriculum guides, project reports,
The Assistive Device Database System ( ADDS) is a and other types of education literature, both
source of information on adaptive equipment, Published and unpublished.
programs and other resources available .o You can search the information in these publi-
handicapped or disabled persons ADDS contains cations manually or by computer Hundreds of
information not only on commercially available university, professional and public libraries sub-
devices, but also on those which are custom made scribe to ECER, RIE, and CIJE. You can search the
ADDS was originally developed by the Assistive subject indexes by hand to find abstracts of
Device Center at California State University, articles and documents on your topic Many of
Sacramento for use by college and university coun- these libraries also offer computer searching of
selors who advise disabled students needing assis- ECER and ERIC (RIE and CIJE) Some libraries are
tance to accomplish tasks essential to getting a funded to offer free or inexpensive searches to
complete education, especially those students in certain groups If your topic is fairly complex,
the fields of sciences and enginee-ing or you need to have a comprehensive review of the
literature, a computer search can save you many
ADDS provides information on communication, mani- hours in the library
pulation, mooility and sensory handicaps ADDS
provides four basic types of information Computer searches of ECER a id ERIC are available
from CEC Information Services at the follov.ing
o Devices, including purpose, manufacturer, rates
vendor, cf)st and skill neeoed for use
o Bibliographic citations, including author, Regular and Institution Rates
title, source, and abstract
a Resource persons, including name, address, One database (ECER or ERICI $3500 (up to 50
phone, organizational affiliation, specialty. abstracts), two databases (ECER and ERIC) $50 00
and service offered (up to 100 abstracts)
o Service agencies, including name, organiza-
tion, address, phone, publications, anu types Special CEC member rates
of disabilities served
One database IECER or ERIC) $2500 (up to 50
abstracts); two databases (ECER and ERIC) $40 00
(up to 100 abstracts)
ADDS is being made available by American Irter-
national Data Search (AIDS), Inc ADDS will be Additional abstracts at $5 per 25, add 10% for
available fo; direct on-line searching through postage and handling
commercial services and computer networks Ini-
tially searches will be performed by the AIDS If you need help locating a library near you the,
staff, but can be delivered electronically to "our offers computer sea thing or would like to order a
computer or terminal search from CEC, call CEC Information Services at
703/620-3660
If you do not have a computer or terminal or if
you prefer AIDS to do the search you may make an The Council for Exception& Children operates the
information request via a toll-free number or mail ERIC Clearinghouse on Handicapped and Gifted
in an information request form American Irter- Children under a contract with the National Insti-
national Data Search can also access oti 'Sr data- tute of Education

9 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDaTiLIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 9


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

NARIC Rural Populations Laurel Richards


13 Case Management Techniques Deborah A Pape,
The National Rehabilitation Information Center Ph D
(NARIC) is a rehabilitation information service 14 Contemporary Research on tne Vocational
and research library funded by the Department of Rehabilitation of Persons with Mental
Education, National Institute of Handicapped Retardation Harry A Allen, Ed D , Donna R
Research (NIHR) ._ Falvo, Ph D
17 Computers in Vocational Rehabilitation
o facilitate access to NIHR and Rehabilitation Current Trends and Future Applications
Services Administration (RSA) funded research Bruce Growick. Ph D
reports, 18 Performance Appraisal of Rehabilitation
o make available information on assistive Professionals William Sather, Ph D
devices, 19 Low Cost Technical Aids and Self-Help
o disseminate other rehabilitation-related Approaches to Technology The Benefit for
information resources Disabled People Gregory Dixon, Sandi Enders
20 Measuring Vocational Rehabilitation Success
To meet these goals NARIC operates P.EHABDATA and Kenneth Reagles, Ph D
its companion database, ABLEDATA REHABDATA is a
computerized listing of NIHR and RSA materials, The 1984 Rehabilitation Research Reviews include
selected journal articles, audiovisual materials
and commercial publications REHABDATA lists over 1 Supported Work/Transitional Employment Steve
10,000 items. The NARIC Library collection con- Ostby, Ph D and Anne Chandler, Ph D
tains all materials listed on REHABDATA as well as 2 Importance of Physical Conditioning for
a variety of fact and referral resources Disabled Persons Peg Nosek and Ray Nofi
3 Parent Training for Early Intervention Diane
The NARIC Library collection constitutes the re- Broker, Ph D (Kristine Slentz, Barbara
source base used to respond to your fact or docu- Walker)
ment requests. The Information Team can either 4 The Use of Computers to Expand Employment
answer your questions or provide accurate refer- Opportunities for Disabled Persons William
rals. In addition, because the irary houses Crimando, Ph D and Susan Harrington Godley,
copies of all REHABDATA mat, als, you can receive Ph D
a reproduction of any non-copyrighted document 5 The Rehabilitation of Persons with Head
listed on the database Injuries Ruth Torkelson-Lynch, Ph D
6 The Rehabilitation of Autistic Persons Anne
NARIC, in conjunction with the National Council on Donnellan, Ph D
Rehabilitation Education (NCRE), annually produces 7 Wheelchairs Cohn McLaurin, Ph D
the Rehabilitation Research Review Th.s series 8 Medical F :habilitation of Persons with
of publications provide a state-of-the-art analy- Muscular Dystrophy and Other Neuromuscular
sis and discussion of key topics in the field of Diseases Dr William Fowler, Jr
rehabilitation, including recommendations for 9 Disability and Older Adults Pamela Finnerty-
future research and an annotated bioliography Fried, Ph D
10 The Community Integration of Disabled Persons
The following is a list of the 1982-83 Rehabilita- Carol 5igelman, Ph D
tion Research Review titles and authors 11 The Efficacy of the Independent Living Program
Model Based on Descriptive and ' aluative
Rehabilitation Education and Training
1 Studies Lex Frieden
Michael Scofield, Ph D 12 The Use of Computer Technology in Service
2. Client Vocational Assessment Norman Berven, Delivery to Disabled Persons Brian McMahon,
Ph D Ph D, James Sampson, Ph D. and Jane
3 Private Sector Role of Rehabilitation Burkhead, Ph D
Professionals George Wright, Ph D
4 Process, Issues and Needs in Private-for- Individual Reviews are $750 each, the complete
set is $100 00 All prices include postage and
Profit Rehabilitation Mary Ellen Mitchell,
shipping in the USA
PhD, Jack M. Sink. Ph D
5. Benefit Cost Analysis Monroe Berkowitz,
Wnile NAPIC provides trek. fact and referral ser-
PhD, Edward Berkowitz, Ph D
vices, other products and services are available
6 Consumerism and Advocacy in Vocational for nominal ies ',-1..vever, no one will be denied
Rehabilitation Lex Friecinn
access to NARIC's . sources because of an inabi-
7 Applications of Telecommunications Technology
lity to pay For more information please wrote, call, or
to Services for Ind victuals with Disabilities visit
Susanne Bruyere, Ph D National Rehabilitation Information Center
8 The Role of the Family in Rehabilitation P The Catholic University of America
William English, Ph D 4407 Eighth Street, NE
9 Incentives and Disincentives in the Washington, DC 20017
Vocation& Rehabilitation Process Kurt L Phone 202/635-5826
Johnson TDD 202/635-5884
10 Rehabilitation and Adults with Learning ABLEDATA 202/635-6050
Disabilities Joseph A. Szuhay, Ph D, John REHABDATA 202/635-5822
M. Williams, Ed.D NARIC operates under contract with the National
11. Sheltered Employment Services and Programs Institute of Handicapped Research, US Department
Luca E. Conte, Ph D of Education (Contract *300-84-0007)
12 Delivery of Vocational Rehabilitation to
n
c k)
10 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 10
INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

WHERE HAVE ALL THE ASSISTIVE SPECIALIZED DATABASEt UNDER DEVELOPMENT


DEVICE DATABASES GONE?
Joh Accomodation Network (JAN)
P 0 Box 468
Morgantown, NY 26506
Several product-related databases that were listed 1-800-JAN-PCEH
in the first edition of the Resource Guide no
longer appear to be in operation. These include
Sponsored by the President's Committee on Employ-
ment of the Handicapped, this database will pro-
APIA13 Automatic Retrieval of Information on vide information about worksite accomodations for
Assistive Devices
chsabled individuals Accommodations will be
Louisiana Tech University
listed according to tasks and an individual's
Rehabilitation Engineering Rese .irch Center functional limitations It is primarily for
P 0 Box 10348
e mployers seeking ways to accommodate disableed
Ruston, LA 71272 e mployees
Acsistive Devices for People with Disabilities Tech-Knowledge
Clinical Convenience Products
Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Inc
2066 Helena Street
Georgia Institute of Technology
Madison, WI 53704 Atlanta, GA 30332
404/894-4960
Project Find
Information Center of Greater Birmingham, Inc
3600 8th Avenue South, Suite 504
Tech-Knowledge is an information service of the
Birmingham, AL 35222 Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Inc in
Atlanta This computerized data and information
STORPROD
.lcaringhouse covers such areas as specifications,
University of Washington 'standards, legal requirements, product research
and design, engineering and architecture, and
Dupartmont of Rehabilitation Medicine
BO 805 H S B Room 30 marketing opportunities and business development
Seattle, WA 98195 This service is available to all organizations by
subscription The search rote for consumers is $3
per hour, while the charge to researchers,
This database doesn't appear to readily serve the
organizations and business is $35 for the first
general public search hour and $25 for each following hour
There is a 25% discount to all users after ten
hours of search in one year
VAREC Information Storage and Retrieval System
Veterans Administration REC
Information & Education Service ONLINE DATABASES THAT INCLUDE REHABILITATION
252 7th Avenue INFORMATION: A Guide for the Researcher Sharon
New York. NY 10001 McFarland, NARiC, The Catholic University of Amer-
ica, 4407 Eight Street NE, Washington, DC 20017
202/635-5822 (Information Specialist), 202/635-
5884 (TDD) February, 1982

This guide, prepared by the National Rehabilita-


tion Information Center, lists databases available
from the Bibliographic Retrieval Service (BRS) and
DIALOG which have rehabilitation information

Each entry lists the name of the database, which


vendor or vendors have the database available, and
the file label or number In addition, a brief
description of the database coverage and general
subject areas are given, drawn from the database
gu.des written by BRS and DIALOG and search
experience at NARIC

/j
O 1

11 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK FIESNA 1S84 11


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

INFORMATION CLEARINGIOUSES

Bioengineering Program, Association for Retarded publishes newsletters The Center also dissemi
Citizen'. (ARC) of the United Stater 2501 Ave. J, nates information to rural areas and culturally
Arlingtan, Ts; 76011. diverse populations
The purpose of the ARC Bioengineering Program is The Center prove'. .iblications about specific
to improve the quality of life for mentally re- seas of interest, add,esses of parent organize
tarded persons, especially severely/profoundly lions, information about other resources, ideas on
retarded persons, through technology Program how to wort with schools and other agencies to
activities consist of adapting currently available create. Jest programs possible, and newsletters
assistive devices for use by ietarded persons, wheel ac:tress timely suDjects of interest
developing new assistive devices when needed, and
consolidating information on the use of techno- Those who may use the services of the Center
logical aids into a technology resource library include parents of children expeeencing ha, 11

caps, adults who experience handicaps and wish


Eduterh, JWK International, 7617 Little River further information about rights and services, and
Turnpi e, Annandale, VA 22003. 703/750-u500 professionale, students and advocates concerned
about the needs and rights of persons experienee.g
Project EduTech, eirded by the Special Education handicaps
Programs office of the Department of Education, is
designed to provide technical assistance to state For further information, contact National Informa
and local education agencies, educators, and other t'nn Cer .er for Handicapped Children and Youth,
persons interested in the appreoriate use of tech- PO Box 1492, Washington, DC 20013
nology in special education The Project develops
reports and other information on technological
advances, and maintains an information base in National Organization on Disability (NOD)
related areas.
The National Organization on Disability has been
EduTech's files contain information on technology, funded to establish, by mid-1984, en information
special education Is 3tles, companies/vendors, ac- clearinghouse, directing people to resources that
tive projects, resource organizations, and funding can answer their specific questions No charge
sources involved in technological development This Contact Jean Fitzgerele, Program Coordineer,
material is periodically eNanized into topical National Organizaeon on Disability, 2100 Pennsyl-
bibliographies, resource guie;as, and fact sheets, vania Avenue, Suite 234, Washington, DC 20039
whica are used to reepond to inquiries 202/293-5960, 202/293-5968 (TTY)
Some of the materials produced by EduTech include
Election' of Micro-Computers, Aseistive/Con
The Clearinghouse on the Handicapped had developed
cation Devices: Television App Vic:eons in Educa- a computerized database, NISH (National Informa-
tion; Technoloyv in Special Education Instsuction, tion Sources on the Handicapped), available
and Software. The project also maintains an on- through Bibliographic Retrieval Serves s (BRS)
going bulletin board on Special Net, a national The database contains records of organizations
computerized information network for special edu- which disseminate informat n nationally on dis-
cation personnel ability It is no longer available on the BRS
system, but the data is still available in book
Materials Deiralopment Center (MDC), Stout Voca- foe
tional Rehabilitation Institute, Universy of
Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI 715/232-1142 The Directory of niatuonal Information Sourrea on
Handicapping Conditions and Related Services
fl:iDC is a national central source which collects, Superintendent of Documents, U S Government
develops, and disseminates information and Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 Stock
materials in the areas of vocational evaluation number 017-000-00234-7 $7 50
and work adjustment
The National Clearinghouse on the Handicapped,
National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitatioe Training Officr ar 'endicapped Individuals, Office of
Materials, Oklahoma State University, 115 Old USDA Special Education & Rehabilitative Services,
Building, Stillwater, OK 74078 Washingt DC 20202, has been reduced to 2 staff
members the end of this fiscal year, they
National Information Center for Handicapped Youth will no longer produce their free quarterly publi-
and Children
cation, Programs for the Handicapped, nor will
they be updating the above-cited Directory
The U S Department of Education has awarded a
three-year contract to Inter America Research Asso-
ciates of Rosalyn, Virginia, to establish the
National Information Center for Handicapped Youth
and Children. The Center for .ses on collecting
and sharing information and ideas which may be
helpful to children and youths who experience
physical handicap: and to the people who work with
them The Center links people with others who
share common concerns, sponsors workshops and

12 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK ...SNA 1984 12


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

SOME LOCAL RESOURCE CENTERS

Also see the list of AbLEDATA Sy-em Informs' In Texas


B(0101i i on page 7, es ,cell es the communicatiGn
service centers on page 208, and seating service REHAB TECH (formerly IMPART)
centers, pigs 164. Texas Rehabilita,,on Commission
California Roger Levy, program speci.list
118 E Riverside Drive
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Carter (CRC) Austin, 7X 78704
323 North Prairie Avenue 512/445-8338
Inglewood, CA 90301
213/673-9090 REHAB TECH is an information and referral service
It provides solutions to individual problems in
The CRC is providing a telephone information ser- home, education, or vocational settings
vice for people with disabilities, health profes-
sionals and the general community Access Info is
Vermont
a system providing taped messages on a variety of
topics related to disability and rehabilitation A
brochure listing the tapes a*ailable on Access Resource Guide for Augmentative Communication and
Info is available from the Center Adaptive Equipment, Ruth Dennis, OTR, and Susan
Edelman, RPT A compilation of resource and ser
vice information to facilitate the processes in
Massachusetts vol ,,d in assessment, purchase, fabrication,
training, and repair of equipment, and provide
Independence Associates documentation of those resources which are sparse
693 Bedford Street or non-existent in Vermont
Elmwood, MA 02337
617/378-3997
Canada
Independence Associates is a good resource for
helping solve equipment problems, assisting you Disabled Living Resource Centre
v,itn whet type of equipment you need and perhaps K,nsman Rehabilitation Foundation
most importantly advocacy services to deal w th 2256 West 12th Avenue
fuAding sources, equipment suppliers, hospital Vancouver, Britist Columbia
CANADA
staff, etc They also have a resource guide, A
Survival Handbook for Independent Living Enthu- 604/736-8841
siasts, which ircludes information on assistive
devices.
For intor-oation centfirs with toll free numbers,
see the suction on TOLL-FREE NUMBERS
Michigan

PAM Assistance Centre


601 W Maple
Lansing, MI 48906
517/371-5897

The PAM Assistance Centre is an information clear-


inghouse and referral service on assistive de-
vices what products exist, what they do, how much
they cost, and where to get them They also
publish a practical newsletter, the PAM Repeater
Individual subscriptions are $5 00/year, organiza-
tional subscriptions are $25 00/year

IV ssouri

Assistive Device Resource Service


609 Maryland
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
d00/392-0533

A primary resource center, serving the State <tit


Missouri, this service provides technical assis-
tance to vocational programs serving handiceoped
students.

13 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 13


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION EXCHANGE NETWORKS

Canter caller* should use a standard Totisirnmr,,,,,cation


Device for the Deaf (TDD), also known as a TTY
Confer is a new computer telecommunications tool (teletypewriter) HEX is set up so that it can
that provides a highly effective medium for people handle an ASCII or Baudot caller, automatically,
to exchange ideas, resolve problems and discuss on the same line
plans with others within a social network. Confer
users connect their computer terminals by tele- HEX serves as a means of exchanging ideas and
phone with a cantos; computer at Wayne State Uni- information concerning application of technology
versity to exchange messages and participate in to aid disabled people If you have an ASCII or
discussions. Baudot terminal, dial HEX and take a look at the
information already on 't If you have something
During the last half of 1983, the Blissymbolics that you would like to pass along to others in the
Communication Institute has been administering the field, you can easily enter it as a new message
use of Confer as a trial project to identify some
of the uses of computer conferencing as they re- HEX is operated by AMRAD, the Amateur Radio and
late to the international field of augmentative Development Corporation It is funded by a grant
communication. During this trial period, atten- from the Office of Special Education, U S Depart-
tion has been focused on administrative procedures ment of Education
and the new skills and routines required of users,
in order that this new medium's capabilities can SpecialNet
be appropriately utilized The particular confer-
ence being administered by BCI is called iPC AC The special education communication info matron
(International Project on Conimunication Augmenta- network SpecialNet is part of a large computer
tive Communication). network that provides telephone access in over 250
U S cities SpecialNet features electronic mail,
The fee structure and information regarding IPC AC topical bulletin boards, and data collection/
can be obtained by writing to Katherine Seybold, information management systems Organizations ana
Blissymbolics Communication Institute, 350 Rumsey individuals subscribing to SpecialNet can commune
Road, Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R8 406/424-3806 cate via electronic mail Information transmitted
concerns conferences, computers, litigation, RFP,
HEX (Handicapped Education Exchange) consultants, employment, EDutech, Congress, opi-
nions and other related topics A subscription to
The Handicapped Education Exchange (HEX) is a SpecialNet costs $200 per year plus a charge for
computerized bulletin board which is available actual time connected to the system To subscribe
through the public telephone network HEX can be to SpecialNet, contact National Association of
reached by dialing 301/593-7031 24 hours a day, 7 State Directors of Special Educatioa. 1201 Fif-
days a week It is intended as a free service to teenth Street NW, Suite 404E, Washington, DC
those involved in the education of, or communica- 20036
tions with, the handicapped For more informa-
tion, contact Richard Barth, 11523 Charlton Dr, The Prentko Romich Company tPRC) s managing one
Silver Spring, MD 20902 301/681-7372 (voice) bulletin board on SpecialNet, ASSISTIVEDEVICE If
you have assistive device announcements in the
HEX can be useful to you as following areas that you would like posted on the
board, please contact PRC by calling, or writing
o A way for the handicapped, and those as- through the electronic mailbox address (user name
sisting the handicapped, to make known what = PRC) PRC is looking for information on
sorts of devices they need
o A way fc those qualified to provide techni- 1 Seminars/workshops regarding the use of
cal assistance to disabled individuals to assistive devices
find out what they might be doing to help 2 New product announcements
o A way for those actively involved in 3 Used assistive devices for sale or purchase
designing aids for the disabled to offer 4 New resources/texts/materials regarclim,;
suggestions to, and get help from, others v.no assistive
are similarly engaged
o A way for those having products, services, or A separate item to be developed and posted on the
information of potential use to the handi- bulletin board will be FUNDING PRC will post
capped to make known their availability source e, insurance company), address, type of
o A way of disseminating information about deviee funded (i e, communication aid, environ-
organizations and programs useful to the mental control system) If you have specific
handicapped. information you would like to share, please con
o A way of demonstrating the usefulness of tact Prentke Romich Company, 8769 Township Road
computerized bulletin boards to the handi- 513, Shreve, OH 44676, 216/567-2906
capped
For more information on electronic bulletin boards
To "talk" to HEX, you will need either an ASCII or and information exchange networks, is the section
Baudot terminal. The ASCII terminal may be either on MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS. page 241-242
a simple terminal or a computer which is capable
of running at a speed of 300 baud, using 8 data
bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. It should be
equipped with a Bell 'iO3-type modem. Baudot

14 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 14


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION ON TECHNICAL AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

European Technical Aids Information System

The European Economic Community (EEC) is develop- Information Systems as Technical Aids for the
ing a new technical aids ootem for disabled per- Disabled A Transnational View James F Garrett,
sons. Called "Handyner, the system consist,- )f Editor Rehabilitation International USA, 1123
two parts: Handyaids, which lists information n Broadway, New York, NY 10010 $20 00 1982
technical aids available in EEC countries and
Scandinavia, and Handywho, which carries informa- Four papers from the 1981 conference in Bellagio,
tion on professionals and organizations that Italy, sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation
develop or provide technical aids in these
countries
Information Services on Technical Aids for People
Long-range plans include Handysearch, an inven- with Disabilities An International Perspective
tory of research in the field of technical aids, Barbara Duncan, Editor 1132 Broadway, New York,
Handyce, information on EEC documents and legisla- NY 10010 $20 00 1982
tion cncerning disabled persons, and Handynews, a
servic:e that reports new developme.ts, meetings This book is the proceedings of the First Inter-
and conferences on technical aids national Conference on Information Systems on
Technical Aids for People with Disabilities, held
For more information, contact Patrick Daunt, Head, October 4-8 in Bellagio, Italy An exploration of
Bureau for Action in Favor of Disabled People, Al the best ways to promote international exchange of
613 200, rue de la Loi, B-1049, Brussotis, Belgium information on technical aids There is an inter-
national overview of technical aid information
systems in Sweden, England, Australia, Germany,
International Commission on Technical Aids, Italy, Japan and the U S The proceedings also
Housing, and Transportation (ICTA) include a resource section listing information,
publications and journals on technical aids and
A commission within Rehabilitation Interriational services available for individuals who experience
Located in Stockholm, Sweden, it promotes an handicaps
international exchange of information through
publications, conferences, and seminars Contact
ICTA Information Centre, FACY, S -161 25 Bromma
Sweden

15 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 15


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ON TECHNICAL AIDS

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S INVOLVEMENT IN Current NIHR-Supported Rehabilitation Engineering


JISABILITY-RELATED TECHNOLOGY R&D Programs

"The official role of the Federal Goverrment in CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDI-
vocational rehabilitation, prosthesis research, CINE, School of Medicine, 211° Abington Road,
and other disability-related research dates back Cleveland, OH 44105, 216/444-4900 P Hunter
to the 1930's and 1940's. The presence of the Peckham, Ph L.
Federal Government as a purchaser of devices to
aid disabled people reaches back even further to Functional Electrical Stimulation Research on
the years following the Civil War Much of the restoration of neuromusculoskeletal impairment by
groundwork for the current system of rehabilita- functional electrical stimulation, closed loop
tion research was laid in the 1°40's by the Na- control of electrically stimulated muscles to
tional Academy of Sciences and the armed sery ces improve FES orthoses for restoration of hand func-
in response t she postwar needs of veterans A tion, therapeutic applications of FES for manage-
large share of the initial research was conducted ment of abnormal muscle contractions in cerebral
by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Veter- palsy, biofeedback system for replacement of tac-
ans Administration IVA) on prosthetic devices tile information in quadriplegic, development of
Prosthetics research, along with an expanded focus external control logic and percutaneous stimula-
on other areas of disability-related research, tion systems
still continues in the VA system The present-day
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) had CEREBRAL PALSY RESEARC1, 3UNDATION OF KANSAS,
its beginning as the Office of Vocational Rehabi- INC, PD Box 8217, 2021 N Old Manor, Wichita,
litation within the then Department of Health, KS 67208, 316/688-18881 John F Jonas, Jr,
Education, and Welfare (DHEW) in the early 1950's John H Leslie
Since these early efforts, the range and depth of
the Federal initiative have expanded markedly In Work Site Modification Research on worksite
addition, this area of R&D has steadily gained rtodif !cation using technology systems approaches
increased attention and recognition by the Federal to determine whether generalizable principles
Government over the years, though it remains small of design are feasible for neurologically impaired
in comparison to the immensity of the problems persons, develop taxonomy of performance charac-
involved. The private and nonprofit sectors of teristics, investigate the occ ationally signifi-
our society have also become increasingly involved cant physical skills of pre-vocational disabled,
in disability-related products and services" develop an Available Motions Inventory, develop
determined time standards, investigate use of
from Technology and the Handicapped, Office of robotic arm, design interfaces with computer,
Technology Assessment IOTA), U S. Congress, communication devices, and word prccessors, deve-
Washington, DC, 1982 lop head wand, make and install tooling or adap-
tive devices for production lines in at least
National Institute of Hnnclicapped Research, three sheltered workshops
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue. SW,
Washington, DC DALLAS REHABILITATION FOUNDATION, 7850 Brookhollow
Road, Dallas, TX 75235, 817/273-2249, 214/637-
The National Institute of Handicapped Research 0740 Raymond Dabney, Alfred R Potvin
(NiFIR) provides leadership and support for a
national and international program of compre- Quantification of Human Performance Researc h on
hensive and coordinated research regarding the improved me.hod of quantification of human per-
rehabilitation of handicapped persons, and sees formance, refinement expansion, clinical evalua-
that this knowledge is made available to those who tion, and commercialization of the sensory and
can best use it. Developing and applying new motor function
technologies to th effort is the main focus of
the Institute's Rehabilitation Engineering Cen- ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES FOUNDATION, 2001 Eye Street
ters. NW, Suite 405, Washington, DC 20006, 202/457-
4900 John Walsh
Each center is encouraged to establish official
working relationships with institutions of higher Evaluation of Technology & Stimulation of Indus-
learning in medicine, engineering, and related try foster a commercialization process 'o lead to
sciences, and to assist in the development of increased availability of assistive devices for
manpower and training programs through which the handicapped, stimulation of industry to partici-
technique, hardware, and systems development can pate in production, marketing and distribution of
be introduced safely into the service delivery devices, developing criteria for selection of
systems. Duplication of effort is avoided through devices for tasting, development of evaluation
intercenter coordination Each center has a., protocol
approved core of research emphasis and eat h re-
flects the needs of major patient populations of GALLAUDET COLLEGE Division of Research, 400 Flo-
the center. In the following list, the respective rida Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002, 202/651-
core area of research, and a brief description of 5440 Raymond J TrybLs, %CI
spec.fic focus, is listed beneath each REC
Sensory Aid0-.1-Deaf and Hearing Impaired re-
search into the various technologies for the deaf

16 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1954 16


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

Th program of the Center consists of research and individuals


de ilopment to apply current and emerging techno-
logies for the alleviation and solution of prob- cnIITI-4WEcT RrSrAP.PH INSTITUTE, Elactromc Systems
lems causes' by deafness, ranging from mild to Division, PO Drawer 28510, 6220 Culebra Rd, San
profound hearing loss. The major focus is on the Antonio, TX 78284, 512/864-5111 Sam McFarland
difficulties in speech communication between
deafened and hearing persons.
Evaluation of Technology & Stimulation of Indus-
HARVARD-MIT, Children's Hospital Medical Center, try evaluation of product performance through
300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, 617/735- development of standards, user tests of suitabi-
6594. William Berenberg, M.D. lity, and clinical evaluation of effectiveness,
dissemination of information through publication,
Quantification of Human Performance: Research on computer data files, and educational curricula
improved method of quantification of human per-
formance; improved methods of quantification of TRACE CENTER, University of Wisconsin, 314 Weisman
performance by assessing changes in range of mo- Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53706,
tion; strength and segmental mobility of the 608 /262 -69F6 Gregg C Vanderheiden.
spine; quantitative measures for monitoring ef-
fects of intervention strategies for treatment of Communication Systems: Research on access to
arthritic condition communication, control, and information processing
systems; develop quantitative measures of pro-
THE LEXINGTON CENTER, INC, Rehabilitation Engi- gress, determine state-of-the-art i:evices for non-
neering Center, 30th Avenue and 75th Street, vocal persons, study characteristics of target
Jackson Heights, NY 11370 Alan Lerman, Ph 0 population and process of augmentative communica-
tion, quantitative measures of minimum functional
New Generation Hearing Aids levels; determine whether technology can facili-
tate language therapy or processing; increase rate
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, 345 E Superior St , of control with aios, develop interfaces for
Chicago, IL 60611, 312/649-8560 Dudley extremely motor-impaired individuals
Childress
TUFTS UNIVERSITY, Tufts New England Medical Cen-
Prosthetics & Orthotics development of durable. ter, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Box
modular and inexpensive myoelectric prehension 1014, 171 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111,
devices for amputees, artificial arms, limb exten- 617/956-5036 Richard Foulds
sion mechanisms, rigid knee embulation; design and
development of knee orthoses, prehensile terminal Communication Systems develop visual line of
headpomters, microprocessor-based powered wheel- gaze communication system, develop second genera-
chairs and environmental control units, Joint tion oculometer, system with videocamera, proces-
replacement-hip prostheses, knee replacements sing electronic and microcomputers using corneal
reflection-pupil center method, ocular interface
RANCHO LOS AMIGOS HOSPITAL, 7601 East Imperial for commercial microcomputers, test use of propor-
Highway, Downey, CA 90242, 213/922-7167 Robert tional control, examine single fingerend typing,
"'eters, Donald McNeal technique for generating unit sets for single-
switch aids
Functional Electrical Stimulation Improved tech-
niques of functional electrical stimulation, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Department of Physical
improved methods of gait training and upper ex- Medicire and Rehabilitation, c/o ORA, 1919 Univer-
tremity rehab through application of electrical sity #venue, St Paul, MN 55455, 612/373-8990 G
stimulation and biofeedback, multichannel FES Gullickson, M D, R Patterson, Ph D
implanted into body to activate muscles in lower
extremities, corre'tion of spinal deformities by Quantification of iiuman Performance improved
FES, acute and tonic FES for incontinence con- methods of quantification of performance by asses-
trol, effects of stimulus wave form and electrodes sing changes in range of motion, strength and
on comfort during controlled motor contraction segmental mobility of the spine, quantitative
measures for monitoring effects of intervention
LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY, PO Box 10348, Ruston, strategies for treatment of arthritic condition
LA 71272. 318/257-4582 Duane F Bruley, Ph D.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER, Department
Transportation of the Handicapped -- Personal of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation, P 0 Box 209/UVA,
Licensed Vehicles Charlottesville, VA 22908, 804/977-6730 Cohn
A McLaurin
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT, Burlington, VT 05405
802/858-4831. John W. Frymoyer, M D Wheelchairs Improved wheelchair systems and spe-
cialized seating, research on human factors in
Rehabilitation in lower back pain propulsion: seating and body support, analysis and
design of structural components and systems for
SMITH-KETTLEWELL INSTITUTE OF VISUAL SCIENCES, wheelchairs, rower system
2232 Webster Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
415/563-2323. Arthur Jampolsky, MD, John Br3byn

Sensory Aids -- Blind and Deaf Development ani ti


evaluation of sensory aids for blind and deaf

17 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 17


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

International UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL REHABILITA"


513 Erickson Hall, Michigan State University, East
REHABILITATION INSTITUTE, Linhartova 51, Lansing, MI 48824, 517/355-1824 William Frey,
Ljubljana, Yugosiavia Aiojz Kraij Ph D
International Research Information and Train-
Function NI Electrical Stimulation enhancement of ing Center
applicability of FES devices and therapies of
paralytic patients, FES of spinal cord injured UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, Board of Trustees,
patients, restoration of locomotion, quantifica- Fayetteville Campus, Fayetteville, AR 72701,
tion of effects of electrical stimulation in pa- 501/371-1654 Douglas Watson, Ph D
tients with urinary disorders. Improving Vocational Rehabilitation in Post-
secondary Education Programs for Deaf Indivi-
duals
NIHR also funds a number of other rehabilitation
research and training centers which can provide WORLD REHABILITATION FUND, INC, 400 E 34th
information on disability-related techno'ogy Street, New York, NY 10016, 212/679-2934 Diane
Woods
CARROLL CENTER FOR THE BLIND, 770 Centre St , International Exchange of Experts and Inform-
Newton, MA 02156, 617/969-6200 Rachel E Rosen- ation in Rehabilitation
baum.
Aids and Appliances Review a journal con-
cerned with blindness and low-vision rehabi- Other Rehabilitation Engineering Programs
litation
These programs have in the past received support
HUMAN RESOURCES CENTER, I U. Willets Road, from NIHR, most have continued R&D work in their
Albertson, NY 11507, 516/747-5400 Jack Victor, specialty areas
Ph.D
Research on Employability of Handicapped
Individuals CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT STANFORD, Rehabilitation
Engineering Center, 520 Willow Road, Flo Alto, CA
INSTITUTE FOR INFORMATION STUDIES, 200 Little 94304, 415/327-4800 Maurice A LeBlanc
Falls Street, Suite 404, Falls Church, VA 22046, Controls and intertaces
703/533-0383. Elizabeth Pan, Ph.D.
REHAB BRIEF publication issued monthly sum- INSTITUTE OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE, New York
marizes findings of NIHR research and dis- University, 400 E 34th Street, New York, NY
seminates it to 30,000 users. 10016, 212/340-6015 Joseph Goodgold
Evaluation of Functiunal Performance of De-
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, P 0 Drawer LQ, vices for Severely Disabled Individuals
Mississippi State, MS 39762, 601/325-2001
William H. Graves, Ph D. TEXAS INSTITUTE FOR REH kBILITATION AND RESEAR
Rural Independent Living Skills and Services 1333 Moursund Avenue, NJuston, TX 77030, 713/797
1440 Thomas A Krouskop
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PARTNERS OF THE ALLI- Effects of pressure on tissue
ANCE, INC, PATH Americas orogram, 1424 K Street
NW, Washington, DC 20005, 202/628-3300 Gregory THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, Carver Pavilion, Iowa
Dixon City, IA 52242, 319/356-3470 R R Cooper,
Interagency Agreement with USIA PATH Americas Richard A Brand, Y King Liu
Program. focuses on needs of handicapped Low Back Pain
children and adults in the Amer.cas
THE UN/VERSITY OF MICHIGAN, 208 W E Lay Automo
NATIONAL REHM:MA-Ai-ION INFORMATION CENTER Live Lab, 2320 Herbert Street, Ann Arbor, MI
INARICI, Catholic University of America, 4407 48109, 313/763-6632 J Raymond Pearson
Eighth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017, 202/635- Automotive Transportation for the Handicapped
5822. Susan Flowers. See page 10.
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, 532 S Stadium Hall,
PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY, Office of Aca- Knoxville, TN 37916 Carl Asp, Ph D
demic Development, 1200 W Godfrey Avenue, Phila- Hearing aids
delphia, PA 19141, 215/424-5900 Laura Edwards
Orientation of Mobility Research for Persons UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, Rehabilitation Erigi-
with Low Vision neerin& Program 682 Court Avenue, Memphis, TN
38163, 901;528-6445 Douglas Hobson
REHABILITATION INTERNATIONAL USA, 1123 Broad- Aids for Handicapped Children
way, New York, NY 10C10, 212/620-4040 Philip
Puleio, Ph D.
RIUSHARE Program to upgrade utilization of
innovations and information from interna- International
tional rehabilitation
INSTITUTE OF ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY AND REHABILITA
STOUT VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION INSTITUTE, Univer- TION, Academy of Medicine, Dzierzynskiego 135, 61
sity of Wisconsin /Stout, Menomonie, WI 54751, 545 Poznan, Poland A Senger
715/232-1464 Daniel C. McAlees Upper extremity disabilities
Research on Sheltered Transitional Employment

18
30
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 18
INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

WATA WA AMAL, Mugamaa Building, Tahnr Square, Another mechanism that NIHR and other Federal
Cairo, Egypt. Sahah Hommossani agencies involved in this area use is the Inter-
Architectural barriers agency Committee on Rehabilitation Engineering
This working group is composed of representatives
Veterans Administration from the National Science Foundation, the National
Council on the Handicapped, the National Bureau of
VA has been involved in disability-related tech- Standards, the National Aeronautics & Space Admin-
nology research since the late 1940's For many istration, the Veterans Administration, the
years, VA was the primary supporter of federally National Institute of Handicapped Research, the
sponsored research in this area, especially in the Department of Health and Human Services, the
field of prosthetics research In the last few Department of Transportation, the National Insti-
years, VA has expanded its disability-related tute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders
research focus to include a broader range of and STroke, and the Senate Committee on Labor and
areas The establishment of the Rehabilitations Human Relations This Interagency Committee was
Engineering Research and Development (RER&D) instrumental in the development of NIHR's Long-
program is the VA's response to the increased Range plan
research and service needs of the veteran popula-
tion and of disabled people in general
The Private Sector Role in Disability-Related
REHABILITATION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, Central Research
Office, Veterans Administration Central Office,
810 Vermont Avenue, Washington, DC 20420, "It is difficult to characterize the 'private
202/389-5147 sector' involvement in disability- related
research The private sector may mean a large,
REHABILITATION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTER, multi-national, multi-product, billion-dollar-a-
Decatur Veterans Administration Hospital, 1670 year c-mpany like the Johnson & Johnson Corp, or
Claremont Road, Decatur, GA 30033, 404/321-6111 it may mean a small, single-product firm like
Amigo Sates Co, or possibly a private nonprofit
REHABILITATION RESEARCH & DEVELO'DMENT CENTER, organization such as the Cystic Fibrosis Founda-
Hines Veterans Administration Hospital, Box 20, tion or Muscular Dystrophy Association These
Hines, IL 60141, 313/343-7200 diverse organizations provide a wide variety of
products and services to disabled people How-
REHABILITATION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTER, Palo ever, each is quite different from the others in
Alto Veterans Administration Hospital, Mail Stop terms of priorities, resources, and function
153, Palo Alto. CA 415/493-5000, x 5464 Manufacturers of health-related devices that spe-
cifically serve disabled people are frequently
referred to as part of the medical device indus-
Office of Special Education (OSE), Department of try In addition, there era thousands of agencies
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, that derive their funds from charity or provide
DC philanthropic services, these may be foundations,
service organizations, funds, or associations.
OSE is the third largest Federal supporter of The medical device industry and charitable founda-
disability-related research, and the largest in tions and related organizations are both extremely
the area of educationally related efforts diverse groups that exist to serve an equally
diverse 'market'"

Other Federal Agencies Technology and the Handicapped, OTA, 1982

NASA and NSF are also involved in hardware-


oriented research in this area
More information on federally funded R&D efforts
National Science Foundation (NSF), 1800 G Street,
can be found in the publications listed in the
Washington, DC 20202 Public Policy section of FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY,
STATISTICS, page 261, in this Sourcebook
"Research and Development," Chapter 6 of Techno-
NASA Technology Utilization Office, Rehabilitation
logy and Handicapped People, Office of Technology
Programs, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington. DC
Assessment IOTA), US Congress, 1982, provides a
20546, 202/755-3720 good overview of the process and players
NASA has been involved in transferring technology
and information gained from its bioengineering
efforts, as well as its general research efforts,
to the health care sector since the late 1960's
Biomedical applications teams attempt to demi.;
and interpret national trends in medicine as well
as technology-related problems in health-care
delivery, and develop potential solutions to these
problems through the use of aerospace technology

:3 _.t.

19 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 19


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

LCCATING R&D PROJECTS

AAAS Project on the Handicapped in Science. 1776


Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036;
202/467-4496 (voice or TTY) The American Associ-
ation for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Pro-
ject on the Handicapped in Science is beginning a
new program, funded by the National Science Found-
ation, to bridge the gap between the researchers
and developers of technologies and the disabled
people who are potential users of the techno-
logies. As a first step, the project will review
completed and ongoing research and development
work to aid handicapped persons. This will in-
clude identifying research projects funded by NSF
and other federal agencies, searching scientific
literature to locate other disability-related R&D
projects, and organizing information from disabled
user groups and individuals. The Project on the
Handicapped in Science hopes to call attention to
the field of disability research and to expand the
benefits it offers to disabled individuals by more
widely involving the scientific and engineering
community in disability research, including dis-
abled individuals in the R&D process, and in-
creasing the public's awareness of these issues
The project will be directed by Martha Ross Redden
and Virginia Stern.

Technology R&D Publications

Journal of Rehabilitation R&D, formerly the Bulle-


tin of Prosthetics Research. Sheldon Todd. Ed
Address correspondence to Office of Technology
Transfer (153D), 252 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY
10001. Quarterly journal on rehabilitation engi-
neering research & development One issue each
year will be devoted to progress reports for all
VA Rehab R&D projects, as well as f apois from
other Federal Agencies such as the National Insti-
tute on Handicapped Researcf,, the National Insti-
tutes of Health, and from other domes'ic and
foreign search scientists

Rehabilitation Engineering Society of Nnrth Amer-


ica, Proceedings from the Annual Conferences or'
Rehabilitation En_gineering Available from
RESNA, Suite 402, 4405 -West Highway,
Bethesda, MD 20814 The annual compilation of
the scientific papers presented at the yearly
rehabilitation technology conference

Reports from the federally-funded projects listed


in this section can be obtained from the indivi-
dual centers, or from the National Rehabilitation
Information Center (NARIC), Ss* Information
Resources, page 10

Reports on international R&D projects can be ob-


tained through projects such as UCIR, RIUSA, World
Rehabilitation Fund, all listed under NIHR-
supported projects
t;)

20 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 20


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

TOLL-FREE NUMBERS RELATED TO PRODUCTS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

800 telephone numbers are nothing new, but you might be surprised by how
many companies nave them. Expert advice on choosing or using a device may
be only a call away And because it's free, it's worth a try

By dialing (800) 55-1212, you can find out if a manufacturer has a toll-
free number. Or if you want more than 35,000 toll-free numbers listed both
by company and category, write to Toll-Free Digest, Box 800, Claverack, NY
12513 or call (8001447 -4700 to order the 480-page book. It costs $10 95
plus $2 shipping.

Except where noted, use 800 cumber only outside the respective state
A-BEC Aquatherm Products Corp
Torrance, CA Borg Textile Corp
Rahway NJ Chicago, IL
800/421-2269 800/526-4296
800/262-1331 in California 800/241-8992
Ascher surgical Supplies, Inc E F Brewer Co
Abest Philadelphia, PA
SP' Newton, USA Menomonee Falls, WI
800/523-1300
800/558-8777
Abbey Medical, Inc B-D Drake Willock
Subsidiary American Hospital Briox Technologies, Inc
Portland, OR
Supply Corp Worcester, MA
800/547-5534 800/225-7496
Hawthorne, CA
800/421-5186 B&F Medical Products, Inc John Bunn Co.
Toledo, OH
Abbott Laboratories Tonawanda, NY
800/537-3419 800/828-7331
North Chicago, IL
800/942-9255 Ballert Orthopedic Corp
800/323-9067 in Illinois The Burdick Corporation
Chicago, IL Milton, WI
800/345-3456 800/356-0701
Active Aid
Redwood Falls, MN Banyan International Corp
800/533-5330 Canyon Products
Abilene, TX
Simi Valley, CA
800/351-4530
Aeroceuticals Health Care 800/221-5499
Products Battle Creek Equipment Co
Southport, CT Carrom Health Care Products
Battle Creek, MI
800/243-9876 Maryland Heights, MO
800/253-0854 800/325-4004
Aiay Be Mar Surgical Supply Co
Delavan, WI Cheesebrough Pond's Inc
Centerport, NY
800/558-3276 Hospital Products Divison
800/645-5322
Greenwich, CT
Ahmed, Inc 800/245-5320
Bell-Horn
Boston, MA Philadelphia, PA
800/225-0211 Cleo Living Aids
800/523-4516 Cleveland OH
Allied Healthcare Products, Inc 800/321-0595
Bio Clinic Co.
Chemetron Medical Division San Bernardino, CA
St Louis, MO Clinical Data Instruments, Inc
800/854-2369 Brookline, MA
800/325-3890
800/225-9180
Biomega Corp
Alpha Unlimited Gainesville, FL
800/237-6836 The Clinipad Corporation
800/874-1878 Guilford, CT
AMEREC Corporation 800/243-8548
Biosearch Medical Products, Inc
Bellevue/ WA Somerville, NJ
800/426-0858 Colson Equipment, Inc
800/526-5976
Caruthersville, MO
American Health Sciences 800/325-4128
Biostim, Inc
Phoenix, AZ Pi inceton, NJ
800/528-0181 Conco Medical Co
800/257-5184 Bridgeport CT
Amigo Sales, Inc. 800/243-2194
Otto Bock
Bridgeport, MI Minneapolis, MN
800/248-9130 Control Products
800/328-4058 Stockton, CA
800/344-3288
800/892-3453 CA only

21 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 19114 21


Except where noted, use 880 number only outside the respective state

Convacare, Inc. Elmer's Weights, Inc John F. Greer Corp


Raleigh, NC Lubbock. TX Oakland, CA
800/882-8735 NC only 800/858-4568 800/227-0992

Creative Rehabilitation EMPI, Inc. Gresham Driving Aids, Inc


Equipment Fridley, MN Wixom, MI
Portland, OR 800/328-2536 800/521-8930
800/547-4811
Equip Med Corp. Hard Mfg Co
Crow River Lake Forest, IL Buffalo, NY
Wayzata, MN 800/323-9790 800/828-7148
800/328-3632
Erie Medical Dave Harrison Products .-ic
Cryo-2 div. of Erie Mfg Bowie, TX
Fort Pierce, FL Milwaukee, 'NI 800/433-0918
800/327-0313 800/558-3915 800/772-0845 TX only

Cyborg Corp. Flaghouse, Inc Harvy Surgical Supply Corp


Newton, MA New York. NY Flushing, NY
800/343-4494 800/221-5185 800/221-0142

Dhit Systems, Inc John B Flanerty Co Hausrnann Industries, Inc


Temple Terrace, FL Bronx, NY Northvale, NJ
800/237-9023 800/221-8742 800/S28-0289

Dale Medical Products Fox Medical Products Heelbo, Inc


by Bake Mfg. Co., Inc. Los Angeles, CA Niles, IL
Plainville, MA 800/421-4210 800/323-5444
800/343-3980 800/252 -0500 CA only
Her-Mar Inc
Dart Medical, Inc Freeman Manufacturing Co Miami Beach, FL
Mason, MI Sturgis, MI 800/327-8209
800/248-9618 800/253-2091
800/292-3912 MI only 800/632-2015 MI only Humane Restraint Co, Inc
Madison, WI
Desemo Fronock-Stewart, Inc 800/356-7472
Savannah, GA Northboro, MA
800/342-7661 800/243-6059 Humanicare International, Inc
East BrJnswick, NJ
Detecto Scale Co G.,MBRO, lnc 800/631-6270
Great Neck. NY Barrington, IL
800/845-6524 800/323-4156 The Huntleigh Group, Inc
New York, NY
Dillon Manufacturing Co Gaymar Irdustries, Inc 800/223-1218
Norcross, GA Orchard Park, NY
800/241-7492 800/828-7341 The Independence Chair Co, Inc
Waukesha, WI
Dixie USA. Inc. Genac Incorporated 8001558-2151
Houston, TX see Theradye
800/231-6230 inmed Corp
Gendron, In. Norcross, GA
Don Joy Orthopedic Archbold, OH 800/241-1926
Carlsbad, CA 800/537-2521
800/336-6569 Intec Medical, Inc
George Clove Co. Inc Blue Springs, MO
Donley Battery Co Englewood, NJ 800/821-8598
Los Angeles, CA 800/631-4292
800/423-3934 letermed Inc
Gottfried Medical, Inc Sparta, NJ
DRlpride Toledo, OH 800/631-3689
Div. of Weyerhauser Co 800/537-1968
Fremont, MI Invacare Corporation
800/253-3078 Graham-Field Surgical Co, Inc Elyria, OH
New Hyde Park, NY 800/321-5715
Duro-Med Industries, Inc 800/645-8176 800/362-7415 Ohio only
Hackensack, NJ
800/526-4753 Grant Airmass Corp Jefferson Industries, Inc.
Stamford, CT Princeton, NJ
Dynamed Corp/ Dynarex Corp 800/243-5237 800/257-5145
Elmsford, NY
800/431-2786 d) . , ,
) 6

22 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEIOOK RESNA 1984 22


Except where noted, use 800 number only outside the raspactlye state.

Johnson & Johnson Products, Inc Marcy Fitness Products Mountain Medical Equipment, Inc
Patient Care Division Alhambra, CA Littleton, CO
New Brunswick, NJ 800/423-3920 800/525-8950
800/526-2459
Mark One Healthcare Products, Inc Mulholland
Jordan Plastics Corporation a member of the Seton Group see Mobility Plus
PLASTA-MEDIC Philadelphia, PA
Carson, CA 800/523-3660 John Nageldinger & Son, Inc.
800/421-5536 Westbury, NY
Medela, Inc 800/645-3496
La Jolla Technology, Inc Crystal Lake, IL
San Diego, CA 800/435-P316 NARCO Scientific, Air Shields
800/854-1915 D.vision
MEDFURN Systems Hatboro, PA
Labtron Scientific Corporation Flushing, NY 800/523-5756
Hauppauge, NY 800/847-4018
800/645-9066 National Wheel-O-Vator, Inc
Medi Inc Patterson, LA
Lattoflex International Holbrook, 12640,30590, MA 800/551-9095
Hudson, NY 800/225-8634
800/341-1522 Neuromedics, Inc.
Medical Devices, Inc Clute, TX
Lec Tec Corp St Paul, MN 800/231-2330
Eden Prairie. MN 800/328-0875 800/392-3726 TX only
800/328-6276
Medical Devices International Newton, USA
Leisure Pt Chairs Corp Rochester, NY
Kansas City, KS Waukegan, IL 800/828-6284
800/255-4147 800/323-9035
Nissen Corp
Lifeline Systems Medical Specifics Cedar Rapids, IA
Massachusetts Dallas, TX 800/553-7901
800/343-4632 800/448-4511 x 304
800/962-1480 x 304 NY only OTC Professional Appliances
Lossing Orthopedic Cincionati, OH
Minneapolis, MN Medpro, Inc 800/543-0458
800/328-5216 East Brunswick, NJ
800/526-0988 x 121 Orthioi Corporation
Lotus Health Care Products Costa Mesa, CA
Naugatuck, CT Medtek Comoration 800/854-6900
800/243-2362 Princeton, NJ
800/257-5103 Ortho-Med, Inc
Lumex Portland, OR
Bay Shore, NY Medtronic Neuro Division 800/547-5571
800/645-5272 Minneapc..a, MN
800/328-0810 Otto Bock
The Lumiscope Co. Inc Minneapolis, MN
Edison, NJ Mir octonka, Inc 800/328-4058
800/221-5746 Minnetonka, MN
800/221-5747 800/328-5927 OWL Biomedical
800/328-5926 Charlotte, NC
MGI Strength/Fitness Systems Inc 800/828-1186
Independence, MO Mistogen Equipment Co
800/821-3126 Oakland, CA Oxygen Enrichment Company, Ltd.
800/227-0525 Schenectady, NY
Maclaren 800/833-4751
New York Mobility Plus
800/233-1224 Santa Paula, CA PCP-Champion
800/325-7397 Ripley, OH
Mac Levy Products Corp 800/543-0458
Elmhurst, NY Mobilizer Medical Products
800/221-0277 Mount Vernon, NY Palmer Industries
800/431-1720 Endicott, NY
Made Medical Products, Inc 800/847-1304
Carlstadt, NJ Mor-Loc Corporation
800/526-6370 Claremont, NC Parke Davis & Co
800/438-9201 :Aed/Surg Division
Marathon Medical Equipment see Professional Medical
Denver, CO Motion Designs Products
800/525-0654 Clovis, CA
800/888-2827
800/888-2837

23 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDEiv r LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 23


Except where noted, use 800 number only outside the reeoectrve state.

Parker Laboratories, Inc Salton Inc Theradyne Corporation


Orange, NJ Bronx. NY Lakeville, MN
800/631-8888 800/22 -8794 800/328-4014
Polychem Corporation Schuco Thompson-Blair
New Haven, CT div American Caduceus Industries St Louis, MO
800/243-3093 Williston Park, NJ 800/325-0877
800/645-2500
J.T. Posey Co Timeter Instrument .:orp
Arcadia, CA Science Products Lancaster, PA
800/423-4292 (formerly Science for the Blind b00/233-0258
Products)
Posture Support Mfg, Inc Southeastern, PA Toce Brothers Mfg, Ltd
Solon, OH 800/233-3121 Eroussard, LA
800/321-6870 800/222-2148 (PA only) 800/842-8158
JA. Preston Co Sci-o-Tech Tubular Fabricators Industry,
Clifton, NJ Lancaster, PA Inc
800/631-7277 800/233-0291 Passaic, NJ
800/221-2425 800/526-0178
Shugarmen Surgical Supply
The Procter & Gamble Co Toledo, OH Ulster Scientific, Inc
Cincinnati, OH 800/537-8918 Highland, NY
800/543-0400 800/431-8233
800/582-0313 OH only Sickroom Service, Inc
Milwaukee, WI Urn-Patch, Inc
Professional Medical Products, 800/558-7130 Wabasha MN
Inc 800/328-9454
Greenwood, SC Skill Development Equipment Co
800/845-4560 Anaheim, CA Union Carbide Medical Products &
800/854-6085 Distribution Center
Pryor Products Memphis, TN
Solana Beach, CA Smith & Davis Mfg Co 800/238-5055
800/854-228C St Louis, MO
800/325-9512 Urocare Products. Inc
PyMaH Corp South El Monte, CA
Somervilee, NJ Solo 800/423-4441
800/526-3538 see Mobility Plus
Vacumed, Inc
Quadra Spenco Medical Corp Jentura, CA
Westwood, CT Waco, TX 800/235-7
800/824-1068 800/433-3334
Veratex Corporation
Renal Systems, Inc St Louis Ostomy & Medical Troy, MI
Minneapolis, AN Supply 800/521-2470
800/328-3324 St Louis, MO
800/325-0979 Vix Breathing Equipment
Respironics, Inc Jamestown CA
Monroeville, PA Stand Aid of Iowa, Inc 209/984-5212 collect
800/245-2767 Sheldon, IA
800/831-8580 Western Enterprises
Rockford Medical & Safety Co Avon Lake, OH
Rockford, IL Staodynamics, Inc 8G0/321-4148
800/435-9451 Longmont, CO
800/892-9435 IL only 800/525-2114 Whitestone Products
Pis:ataway, NJ
kOHO Research & Development, Stryker Corp 800/526-3567
Inc Kalamazoo, MI
East St Louis, IL 800/253-3210 Wright & Filippis, Inc
800/851-3449 Drayton Plains. MI
Sween Corp 800/482-0222 MI only
Rolyan Medical Products Lake Crystal, MN
Menomonee Falls, WI 800/533-0464
800/558-8633
Temco Healthcare Industries,
Murray Salk, Inc. Inc
Allston, MA Passaic, NJ
800/343-4497 800/831-0170

Salter Labs Texas Instruments


Arvin, CA 800/858-1802
800/235-4203

24 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 24


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

The National Heath Information Clearinghouse pub- Medicare/Medicaid Complaint Line


lication "Healthfinder" lists toll-free numbers 800/368-5779
for health information. Some of the numbers which 202/472-4222 Washington. DC area
may be relevant to products for disabled people Handles complaints regarding the fraud, waste
include and abuse of Medicare and Medicaid Assists
people who have been overbilled for services
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Assn or billed for services not rendered
800/621-0379
800/572-6037 IL only Practitioner Reporting System
800/638-6725
Cancer Information Service (CIS) Offers a service for health professionals to
800/4-CANCER report problems with drugs or medical de-
vices A service of the Food and Drug Ad-
Children's Defense Fund ministration, U S. Department of Health and
800/424-9602 Human Services.
202/483-1470 Washington, DC only
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Shriners Hospital Referral Line 800/638-CPSC
800/237-5055 Answers questions and provides free material
800/282-9161 FL only on different aspects of consumer product
safety, including product hazards, product
National Down Syndrome Society Hotline defects, and injuries sustained as a result
800/221-4602 of using products
212/764-3070 NY only
Spina Bifida Information and Referral
Epilepy Information Line 800/621-3141
800/426-0660
206/323-8174 WA only

Library of Congress National Library Services for


the Blind and Physically Handicapped
800/424-8567
'202/287-5100 Washington. DC only

National Health Information Clearinghouse


800/336-4797
Provides an information and referral service
designed to bring together consumers and
health information resources. A service of
the Office of Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion, U S Department of Health and
Human Services

National Hearing Aid ricpline


800/521-5247
313/478-2610 MI only
Provides information on hearing aids and
distributes a directory of hearing aid spe-
cialists certified by the National Hearing
Aid Society

Hill-Burton Hospital Free Care Program


800/638-0742
800/492-0359 MD only
Provides information on hospitals participa-
ting in the Hill-Burton Hospital Free Care
Program.

Federal Internal Revenue Service for TOD Users


800/428-4732
800/382-4059 IN only
Answers questions on Federal income tax,
including questions on medical deductions for
the cost of telecommunications devices for
the deaf ITDDsl, hearing aids, trained
hearing-ear dogs, and sending deaf children
to special schools Accepts orders for the
free publication "Tax Information for Handi-
capped and Disabled Individuals" and other
free IRS publications
J

2D TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 25


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

"ONSUMER PROTECTION

BUYER BEWARE -- SHOPPING FOR ADAPTIVE DEVICES STEPS TO OLLOW IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR
ASSISTIVE DEVICE
"Technology advances in recent years have created
a multitude of aids for disabled people aids "Read the instructions and your warranty care-
hr..; opened up doors of employment and inde- If you have not received a copy of a
pendence. But these aid are expensive, and some- warrant; with your device, w to the man' 'ac-
times have 'bugs which have not been ferreted out turer or seller and eel, a your device is war-
Individuals and agency representatives need to ranted Be sure that you don't expect features or
exercise caution when purchasing expensive, new performance your device isn't designed to give or
aquipment. expect warranty coverage that was never promised
Will It Solve the Problen,; "Before deciding on a "Contact the warrantor The seller may not be the
particular device, make sure it will solve the warrantor Write or call the company at the ad-
problem. Identify the tasks the equipment will dress given in the warranty Describe your prob-
solve and then thoroughly question vendors to lem and explain exactly what you think the company
assure that thnir device can handle those owes you under the warranty repair, refund, or
tasks.... replacement When you call a company, se-id a
follow-up letter to put in writing what was said
...Get Promises in Writing "Before committing Send all letters by certified mail and kee,1
several thousand dollars to a particular vendor, copies But remember having a warranty doesn't
insist on a demonstration Do not :,,Ay a piece of mean you automatically get your money back If a
equipment based on a brochure If an aid appears product is defective, the company is entitled to
suitable, but a demonstration isn't possible, make try to fix it
sure he device can be roturned with a full re-
fund. Any reputable WO' agree to this, "If the company Is not helpful, contact a state or
but get the agreemr ring . A verbal local consumer p. Jtection office or complaint
promise of a deice ": and capabili- center At present, agencies handling problems of
ties, or the vendor's re, ,_. Abilities, is no the disabled are not accustomed to giving warranty
promise Always save correspondence, letters of information or resolving warranty problems, but
agreement and technical information you, state consumer protection office or complaint
handling center routinely helps people solve war-
Service and Reliability "When considering any ranty problems and gives warranty information
device, check it out for service and reliability
Ask to talk to satisfied customers using the "If contacting a consumer protection office
equipn. in a similar application If a vendor doesn't resolve tt e problem and the amount of
is unwilling to supply customer references, there money involved ,s-small, you can go to a small
msy be a good for bad) reason Find out the cost claims court The costs are low, procedures are
of a yearly service contract versus the cost of a simple, and lawyers are usually not needed The
typical repair bill for the aid What is the clerk of the small claims court can tell you how
turnaround tin for service? If there is not to bring your lawsuit
good, timely service available, reconsider the
device, particularly if it's needed every day for "If your device has a written warranty and WdS
a lob. manufactured after July 4, 1975, you may want to
sue the company under the Warranty Act You
Solving intvface Problems "Find out wha. kind of should contact a lawyer lr consumer protection
technical support is avaik.ble for solving inter- office for information If you win, you can get
face problems. Interface problems are the most money damages or any other type of relief the
important issues in the effective use of braille courts choose to give you This includes the cost
and audio terminals Make sure that support is of bringing the lawsuit and your attornev's fees
available from the vendor, your company or an If your de nee was manufactured before July 4.
outside organitation 1975, you can only sue the company under state
law, in California, all assistive devices come
Proper Training "Finally, when considering a with a written warranty which enables you to sue
complex device, find out what training is avail- under state an-, federal law
alid how much it costs To purchase a device
like an electronic braille system, or an ..udio "Report violations of the la N to the Federal Trade
terminal, without training will usually prove Commission, Warranties, Washington, DC 20580
losappnting because of the struggles to learn The FTC cannot help you directly with a warranty
how to use it Reside's the vendor's technical problem, but it needs to know if companies are
support, if available, look t,; user groups, they obeying the warranty law Witte the FTC if a
can be a great source of help when problems arise company does not make warranty information avail-
or new applications are uncovered able, does not label the warranty as required, or
does not perform service as promised While the
from "Sensory Aids Technology Update", January, FTC does not handle Ind vidual cases, it does look
1984 Published b; the Sensory Aids Foundation, Into business practices which affect many con-
399 Shendee, Palo Alto, CA. sumers"
from "Warranties Can Save You Time and Money,' bw
Jacqueline Schmitt, Federal Trade Comrr melon
Reprinted with permission from the Spring. 1981
issue of Accent on Living

26 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 19114 28


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

PUBLICATIONS WHICH PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF TECHNOLOGY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

Some publications cover a broad spectrum of technology applications To


avoid listing these books over and over in each section of tha Relic/Lao:
Guide, this general book list is included for your use

DISABILITY BOOKS WHICH HAVE USEFUL


796 pages, many 'Oust, bibliography $41 00
INFORMATION ON DEVICES Out of print, but available in rehab departments

Disability and Rehabilitation Handbook, Robert M Aids to Make You Able Self-Help Devices and Ideas
Goldenson, edit. r. McGraw-Hill Bock Company 1221 for the Disabled, Wendy M Davis Beaufort
Brooks, 9 E 40th Street, New York, NY 100i6 81
Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 846
pages $27 50 1978 The book rs organized in pages $895 1981 The occupational therapist
four parts Part I, Foundations of Rehabilita- who conpiled this book compares assistive devices
tion, explores the practical approaches to aiding to recipes "You learn a few basic ones, invent
the disabled, such as the role of the family, the
your own, and try those of other people" Her
development of social and sexual relationships, informative book presents self-care aids to help
arrangements for independent living, housing and disabled people resume activities of daily living
and encourages others to invent new equipment
transportation adaptations, employment possibili-
ties, educational and recreational programs, legal Illustrated with simple drawings, the aids are
rights, and financial assistance Part II, Dis- grouped into nine categories communication,
eating a id drinking, dressing, bathroom aids,
abling Disorders, covers all the major handicap-
pir,n diseases and defects Part 3 comprises household aids, transportation, leisure and plea-
III atrative Cases Part 4 is the Data Flank, an
sure, sexuality, and smoking A concluding sec-
tion contains sources for additional information
extensive compilation of statistics, mimes and
addresses of relevant national organizations on specific top -s, a bibliography, and addresses
of medical suppiiers
federal agecies and programs, periodicals and
directories, and major sources of information and
supplies Chapter 5, "Independent Living Ways The Best of Helpful Hints, Courage Center Auxi-
liary Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Road,
and Means," Describes the broad range of devices Golden Valley, MN 55422 86 pages $3 50
available, within the context of independent
living
An Easier Way Handbook for the Elderly and Handi-
capped, Jean Vieth Sargent Iowa State University
Disabled? Yes Defeated? No K Cruzic
Press, Ames, IA 50010 220 pages $1050 1981
Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NY 07632 211 Simple equipment that can be readily made or
pages 1992 Contains information resources for
bough" to help meet daily living needs
disabled persons, their families, and therapists
Chapters discuss daily living alas, clothing, Equipment for the Disabled National Fund for
housekeeping, and cooking, as well as educational Research Imo Crippling Diseases, 2 Foredown
programs, recreation. finances, careers, and com- Drive, Postslade, Brighton, England 1973-1980
munity services
10-booklet series which provides guidelines to
help in the selection of equipment "Personal
Resource Guide to Literature on Barrier-Free Envi-
ror- nts with Selected Annotations 1980 Prepared Care," "Home Management," "Disabled Mother,"
"Clothing and Dressing for Adults," "Housing and
by ArciutectJral and Transportation Barriers Com-
Furniture," "Hoists and Walking Aids" "Wheel-
pliance Board, Washington, DC 20202 (A&TBCBI
79-00004 Available from Superintendent of Docu- chairs," "Outdoor Transport," "Commun -.ation,"
ments, U S Government Printing Office, "Leisure and Gardening," and 'Disable- .;hild'
Washington, DC 20402 279 pages Lists access Pictures of commercially available and do-it-
yourself aids
information for schools, parks and recreation,
transr cation and housing Also contains a sec-
tion on Aids and Devices Functional Aids for the Multiply Handicappea i P
Robmault, Editor Harper & Row, Hagerstown, MD
Prepared under the auspices of the United Cerebral
The Source Book for the Disabled An Illustrated
Palsy Associations, Inc, this book discusses
Guide fo- Easier and More Independent Living for
wnere to buy or how to construct items that would
Physically Disabled People, Their Families, and
enable a multiply handit.eopcd per-on to function
Friends, Glorya Hale, Ed Paddington Press, 95
more independently Aids are classified according
Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 288 pages,
illustrations $15 95 cloth, $14 95 paper 1979 :o function transfer, travel and mobility, per-
sonal care, including feeding and eating equip-
Consumer - oriented, comprehensive guide to indepen-
dent living Includes discussions of equipment, ment, clotting and dressing aids, aril personal
hygiene communication and learning, and
accessibility, hor ti adaptations, personal care,
recreation Includes a list of resources for aids
leisure, recreatio 'Sexuality, and disabled
and information
parenting
A Handbook of Ideas for the Disabled Ideas and
Inventions for ler Living, Suzanne Lunt
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 'SPECIFICALLY ON TECHNOLOGY
Charles Scri:inere Sons, New York, NY 276 pages
$17 95 This handbook has hundreds of devices and
Aids to Independent Living Self-Help for toe
ideas to make life easier and more active You'll
Handicapped, Edward Lowman and Judith L Klinger
McGraw-Hill, 330 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 find directions for simple homemade aids as well

4
27 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING WURCEBOOK RESNA 11154 27
INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

as information on Equipment available on the mar- Virginia Stern and Martha Reds en, editors Ameri-
ket; devices that help you sit up, get out of bed, can Association for the Advancement of Science,
dress, walk handle household chores, travel, ceelt 1776 Massachusetts Livarma NW Washingtnn nr:
do anything more easily than you thought pos- 20036 1983
sible. Written by a layperson for the general
reader, the book's aim is to tell you what is
available rather than persuade Eou to buy any- PRODUCT DIRECTORIES
thing. The final section of the nook helps you
deal with the cost of equipment and medical help Accent on Living Buyer's Guide, (1984 -85 ecil
You'll find suggestions and the rames of organiza- Accent Special Publications, P 0 Box 700,
tions that will help you obtain jobs, government Bloomington, IL 61701 1983 Manufacturers and
money, home care, tax breaks, and other assis- distributors of equipment listed by category, as
tance. The appendix, "Sources of Equipment and well as addresses of national organizations and
Information," provides a complete directory of the associations concerned with disabilities Pub-
suppliers mentioned throughout the book and help- lished annually
ful organizations. This book was inspired by the
needs of the author's terminally ill mother, who Catalog of Aids for the Disabled Nancy Kreisler
was nursed at home, and the information's practic- and Jack Kreisler McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1221
ality reflects that fact, Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 16020 246
pages $24 95 1982 Over 600 separate pieces
Helping the Handicapped A Guide to Aids Developed of equipment are cl,,:ribed in this text, listing
by the Telephone Pioneers of America Telephone the latest in equipment needs from the kitchen to
Pioneers of America, 195 Broadway, New York, NY your automobile, from children to adults, for all
For availability, ,our local phone company in manner of disabilities Each equipment entry
the U S or Canada for the r-,ame of the local includes a photograph if deemed necessary, a brief
chapter administrator. description, a price category, and the name of a
supplier, the appendix then lists the addresses of
This book probably represents only a small percen- all suppliers, addresses of helpful organizations,
tage of the devices that the Pioneer group has and periodicals that might be useful
developed These are the ones that were docu-
mented Design for Accessibility Equipment and A,ds Cata-
og (The 1979 edition was Barrier Free Design
Groups of Pioneer volunteers serve the people of Equipment and Aids Catalog ) Michigan Center for
their communities in innumerable ways, but this eflarrier Free Environment, West Blomfieid, MI
book is dedicated to the hundreds of Pioneers and 1981 Guide to equipment and aids available to
FL ore Pioneers who have used their ingenuity, help create a barrier-free environment Includes
their know-how, and countless hours of volunteer standing aids, aids for the blind, auto or van
time to develop and build aids to help their adaptations, building equipment, doors, floor
handicapped neighbors surfaces, kitchen and laundry, plumbing acces-
sories, windows, and other special equipment
This handbook is not a catalog of aids and devices This is not a commercial catalog, you can't buy
for sale In many cases the items described are things from it
available only in the area where the chapter
listed under "CONTACT" operates However, "how to Product Inventory of Hardware, Eq_uipment and Ap-
make it information forawings, diagrams, parts pliances for Barrier Free Housing Design
lists I is available from these chapters We National Handicap Housing Institute, Inc , 12 S
suggest that anyone who needs a particular device 6th Street, Suite 1216, Min' eapolis, MN 55402
shown in the book contact first the Admin.7trator $25 00 1979 Catalog with 418 pages provides
of the, local Pioneer chapter to inquire whetner descriptive ;.urrmaries, prices and pictures of
one can be made available locally A list of approximate'y 200 products It includes products
headquarters locations of each chapter, by state, in general use as well as those specifically de-
is included. The Mministrator can be reached by signed for disabled persons
calling the teler'none company headquarters in the
city indicated and asking for the chapter by name NOTE The Green Pages, and Rehabilitation
Purchasing Guide (RPG) which replaced it, are no
Wit,: a Iew exceptions, the amount shown under the longer being produced
"COST" heading is not a selling price It is the
approximate cost of the materials required to
build the device. Most aids built by Telephone
Pioneers are donated to local schools, hospitals
or agencies which serve handicapped people

Technology for Independent Living Proceedings of


the 1980 Workshops on Science and Technology for
the Handicapped, Virginia Stern and Martha Redden,
editors. American Association for the Advancemen°
of Science, 1776 Massachusetts Ave NW, W3shing-
ton, DC 20036. 262 pages. 1982

Technology for Independent Living_ll Issues in


Technology for Daily Living, Education and Employ-
ment. Project or the Handicapped in Science 4.3

28 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 28


INFORMATION SERVICES ANC RESOURCES

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO ASSI.ITIVE DEVICES

The Comfortably Yours catalog isn't your typical "A few years ago my mother iscopped using fitted
rehab products catalog It distributes "Aids for sheets, even tho'jgh she preferred them, because
Easier Living" and does not specifically focus on her arthritic hands hurt whenever she pulled at
the handicapped/health care audience. It's a mass the tight corners We 'ound these cotton terry
market catalog for "just tolks." About half the sheets in Europe and tn_..ght them back for her
products are clever convenience products. The She was thrilled They have fitted elasticized
other half are the kinds of things we'd expect to corners and, because the terry material has a
see in a clinical catalog bathtub benches, tub natural stretch, there is no strain when putting
safety bars, reachers, an adult bib, eating aids, them on the bed These long wearing quality
etc. sheets absorb perspiration, feel comfortable year
round, and machine was and dry beautifully
What makes this catalog fun to read is how the Available in champagne and blue, please specify
products are described. It's hard to remembIr color P S Mom, who wastes nothing, now uses her
that there is a difference between the "rehab" old flat bottom sheets as top sheets
products. and all the other gadgets that their
copy writer has you so eager to buy (Is thore "Being able to take care of yourself by yourself
really a difference?) I personally find the cata- Is a wonderful thing especially when it comes
log somewhat dangerous I hsve to exort real to bathing and personal hygiene The new open-
self-control not to buy something from almost front design of this chair allows you to cleanse
every page. more effectively and independently. You can reach
more areas, even while seated The open design
We can all learn from the catalog's marketing also allows you to place your foot directly behind
approach. It could teach us how to talk about you as you get in and out of the bath, giving you
technology for people with physical limit,:tions in an extra measure of sa4ty The molded seat is
a way that doesn't intimidate or alienate the contoured for comfort and the legs adjust in
people who need them It provides a way for height easily by push button from 14 1/2" to 22"
people to think About their equipment as "aids for and have non-slip rubber tips The chair is cor-
easier living" rather than stigmatizing signs of rosive resistant and is also available without a
being "crippled" or weak back A special chair for special needs with
features well worth the cost
Comfortably Yours, Aids for Easier Living, 52 West
Hunter Avenue, Maywood, NJ 37607,201/368-0400 We received this good-looking eating smock in the
mail recently. The lady who sent it to us says
Some example4 of the Comfortably Your's product she designed it for her father who needs it to
descriptions. protect his clothing while eating but wouldn't
dream of wearing a bib. She chose this up-to-date
"How many times in the middle of the night do you blue denim fabric and styled it so that it goes on
have to put the light on? You fumble under the easily and stays on securely with ties in the
shade for the switch, hoping you won't knock some- back, He accepted it so readily that she felt
thing over, turn on the light and blind your- others might prefer it too The terry front has a
self! THis lamp dimmnr is actually for any room, wate 'proof backing and a generous pocket across
but I want you to put it by the hed It glows in the front to catch food crumbs It measures 21
the dark All you do is open one eye just a 1/2" across the front and is machine washable and
hide bit, push down on the glowing kn'b, z .d the dryable One size fits all
light is on as soft as you like This is
great, too, for a sick room, for children, for
anyone who has trouble moving about and can't turn
knobs UL listed 6 foot cord

29 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDEIT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 29


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

SOURCES OF CURRENT INFORMATION

Trade and consumer magazines offer one of the most Riehabilsitgtonn Tqchn.r_lingy
timely means for learning about new equipment "Left To Our Own Devices"
availability Scanning periodicals on a .egular Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North
basis can be an effective means to acquire product America
information and remain generally aware of equip- Suite 402
ment and service availability 4405 East-West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
Each of the periodicals listed be ow regularly
features a section devoted to new products/ideas RX Home Care
Each item entry in the periodical generally in- "Product Gallery"
cludes a description and picture of the device "Equipment Spotlight"
Barrington Publications, Inc
Accent on Living 825 S Barrington Avenue
"New Products and Services" Los Angeles, LA 90049
Cheever Publishing Company
Gillum and High Drive Sports 'N' Spokes
P.O. Box 700 "Nifty New Stuff"
Bloomington, IL 61701 5201 N 19th Avenue, Suite ',11
Phoenix, AZ 85015
Communication Outlook
"News on Aids"
Artificial Language Laboratory These journals also periodically have technology-
Computer Science Department related information
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824 Bulletins on Science and Technology for the
Handicapped
The Coordinator American Association for the Advancement of
"New Products" Science
Coordinator Publications, Inc Office of Opportunities in Science
11417 Vanowen Street 1776 Massachusetts Avenue NW
North Hollywood, CA 91605 Washington, DC 20036
No subscription charge
Homecare/Rehab Product New Quarterly
Miramar Publishing Company
2048 Corner Avenue Journal of the Association of the Severely
Los Angeles, CA 90025 Handicapped
The Association for the Severer Handicapped
ICTA Inform 7010 Roosevelt Way, NE
"Technical Aids" Seattle, WA 98115
Swedish Institute for the Handicapped
Box s03 Rehab Brief
S-161 26 BROMMA National Institute of Handicapped Research
Sweden Office of Special Education and Rehab Services
Department of Education
Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry Washington, DC 20201
"New Products"
Canon Communications, Inc Rehabilitation Gazette
2422 Wilshire Blvd Gazette Inte- "tunnel Networking institute
Santa Monica, CA 90403 4502 Maryland Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108
Paraplegia News Annual
"Innovations" Back issues, $8 each
5201 N. 19th Avg J8, Suite 111 Volume 25, $10
Phoenix, AZ 85015
Rehabikation Literature
Rehabilitation Digest Nation tl Easter Seal Society
"Let's Get Technical" 2023 W. Ogden Avenue
Canadian Rehabilitation Council for the Disabled Chicago, IL 60612
One Younge Street, Suite 2110 BI-monthly $21
Toronto, Ontario M5E 1E5 Two of the six issues in 1983 were technology
Canada related "Technology & Disability," March-
April 1983 (44, 3 -4) and "Technology & Dis-
Rehabilitation Literature ability II," November-December 1983 (44, 11-
"New Products" 12)
National Faster Seal Society
2023 W. Ogden Avenue Rehabilitation World
Chicago, IL 60b12 Rehabilitation International USA
1123 Broadway
New York, NY 10010

3) TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING GOAIRSOOK RESNA 151114 30


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

Report and Access Information Bulletin illustrate how science is improving life for the
National Center for a Barrier Free Environment disabled
1140 Connecticut Avenue NW
Suite 1006
Washington, DC 20036 NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Subscription $25.00/year
Bimonthly These groups can provide more information on tech-
nical aids, write for their publication lists
AUDIOVISUALS Muscular Dystrophy Association
810 Seventh Avenue
Approach to Independence Functional Adaptations, New York, NY 10019
James Mueller Available from Rehabilitation
Research and Training Center, The George Washing- Nation-I Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children
ton University, 2300 Eye Street NW, Suite 714, and Adults
Washington, DC 20037 3/4" color videocassette, 2023 W Ogden Avenue
33 minutes. 1978 Illustrates simple solutions Chicago, IL 60612
to functional problems of the severely disabled Easter Seals Produces several excellent pub-
that can be found through imaginative adaptations lication bibliographies on all phases of
of common materials and products rehabilitation
Assistive Devices for the Rehabilitation Patient United Cerebral Palsy Association
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Education and 66 E 34th Street
Training Center, 345 East Superior St, Chicago, New York, NY 10016
IL 60611 Videotape, 30 minutes Presentation 212/481-6300
discusses and demonstrates common adaptive equip-
ment used in dressing, feeding, grooming, avoca- Sister Kenny Institute
tion, and wheelchairs, as well as the carry-over Division of Abbott-Northwestern Hospital
of the use of adapted devices from a rehabilita- 800 E 28th at Chicago Avenue
tion setting to an acute setting Minneapolis, MN 55407
612/874-4149
Devices for Self-Help Performance Bureau of Publishes a variety of materials for the
Education for the Handicapped Available from disabled Books about aids and equipment
National Authovisual C_rosr, National Archives and include Communication Aids for the Brain
Records Service, General Services Administrat.on, Damaged Adult, Introduction to Bowel and
Order Section/RT, Washington, DC 20409 16mm Bladder Care, Living r.omfortably with Your
color film, 18 minutes Illustrates the prnblems Ileostomy, and Val- ,.nair Selection More
of persons w.tn multiple physical handicaps and Than Choosing a Chair with Wheels. "Equip-
demonstrates supportive devices fry 'ask per- ment" and "Some Adaptive Devices" are audio-
formance Includes moving from place to place, visuals available from the Institute.
sitting, standing, writing, turning pages, com-
m. icating and eating

It's A New Day, uern Field South Bay Mayors'


Committee for Employment of the Handicapped, 2409
N Sepulveda Blvd #202, Manhatten Beach, CA
90266 16 mm color film, 9 minutes 1981 Cele-
bratucr. of new attitudes and new technologies
available to disabled people to increase their
integration into the mainstream of life Shows
braille menu, elevating wheelchair, talking cal-
culator, Opticon, and so on

One Giant Step, Michael McFarland Canadan Re-


habilitation Council for the Disabled, Suite 2110,
One Younge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1 E5,
Canada 16 mm color film, 40 minutes 1981
Demonstrates the range of technical aids avail-
able, from environmental control systems to com-
munications aids, showing how they can be used in
various settings to increase independence and
mobility of disabled people First Prize, Tech-
nical Aids, 1981 International Rehabilitation Film
Festival.

To Find Answers United States Social Rehabilita-


tion Services Available from National Audio-
VISUE I Center, Nat onal Archives and Records
Service, General Services Administration Order
Section/RT, V.'ashington, DC 20409 16 mm color
film, 29 minutes Discusses research for the
handicapped Demonstrates several devices to 46
31 TECHNOLOGY Fon INDEPENrENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 31
INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

DISABILITY SPECIFIC PUBLICATIONS

Many books written about specific d.sabilities have chapters and/or exten-
sive references to technical aids Some examples include

ARTHRITIS is given to the underlying principles involved


The second edition has been widely revised, witl
Aids and Adaptations (2nd Edition) K.P. Mac Bain, new material added on the visually handicapped
editor. The Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism child, behavioral therapy for movement, the devel-
Society, 1976. Describes items which have been opment of play, feeding techniques, the clumsy
used successfully by patients in an occupational child, and equipment
therapy department. Part I contains drawings and
instructions for self-help aids, Part II covers
environmental adaptations. Bathing, toileting, DISABLED CHILDREN
homemaking and ambulation or transfer are empha-
sized. Aids for Children International Committee on
Technical Aids, Housing and Transpoi tation OCTAL
Rheumatic Disease: Occupational Thera & Rehabi- Information Centre, S-161 03, Bromma 3, Sweden
litation. Chapter 27 "Assistive Devices" Second 1972 An international catalog of children's
edition. J Melvin, editor FA Davis Co, assistive devices
Philadelphia, PA.
Caring for Your Disabled Child Benjamin Spoci
"Self-Help Manual for Patients With Arthritis" and Marion 0 Lerngo Collier MacMillan Inter-
Prepared by the Arthritis Health Professions, national, Inc, 866 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Section of the Arthritis Foundation, 1315 Spring 10022. $1 95 1965 Part VII, Tools and Tech-
Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 May be obtained niques for Daily Living, has information on self-
from local chapters of the Foundation 1980 help aids, crutches, braces, wheelchairs, etc

Disabled Child Book 9 in the series Equipment


CEREBRAL PALSY for the Disabled National Fund for Research .nto
Crippling Diseases, 2 Foredown Drive, Postslade,
Functional Aids for the Multiply Handicapped Brighton, England One of a 10 booklet series
Isabel P. Robin, Ailt, Editor Medical Department, which provides guidelines to help in the selection
Harper & Row Publishers, Hagerstown, MD 1973 of equipment Lists and describes, with photo-
$3 50 paperbound edition printed for and available graphs, equipment to aid in the care of disabled
only through: United Cerebral Palsy Association, children and to increase their Independence
Inc., 66 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016 A Covers categories such as homa ,' sign, mobdity,
revised second edition is to be available soon wheelchairs, personal hygiene, fe.....mg and
dressing. Includes reference and resource lists
Handling_the Young Cerebral Pals. id Children at Pictures of commercially available and do-it-
Home N.R. Finn's E P Dutton, New York, NY you.self aids
$5 95 1975 This hook is a classic It pro-
vides information on home management of children Easy to Make Aids for Your Handicapped Child A
with cerebral palsy for parents, teachers and Guide for Parents and Teachers Don Ca3ton A
therapists Contains suggestions on do-it--your- Spectrum Book, Prentice-Hall, Inc, Englewood
self devices as well as commercially available Cliffs, New Jersey 07632 Revised American edi-
equipment, particularly mobility aids Also in- tion 1982 $695 A clear description of a
cludes lists of resources for equipment and variety of aids that a parent could build for his
accessories. child, aids can be made for the child's specific
needs, and are much cheaper and sometimes more
Resource Guide to Habilitative Techniques and Aids appropriate than commercially produced aids
for Cerebral Palsied Persons of All Ages E C Simple plans for building more than 60 multi-
High George Washington University, Job Develop- purpose aids
ment Laboratory, Washington, DC (NARIC Call No
0102) 1977 Contains resources for aids, equip- Environmental Design for Handicapped Children
ment, techniques and programs to help people with J S Sandhi., and H Hendricks-Jansen Gower Pub-
cerebral palsy Lists print and nonpnnt material lishing Co, Old Post Roid, Brookfield, Vermont
about cerebral palsy The guide is divided into 05036 1976
sections covering general information, positioning
and seating, feeding, dressing, hygiene, and Environments for All Children Access Information
household and community Involvement Lists sup- Bulletin National Center for a Barrier Free
pliers of aids and equipment, and publishers Environment, Suite 1006, 1140 Connecticut Avenue,
Illustrated. N W , Washington, D C 20036 This bulletin sum-
marizes some of the accessibility issues that
Treatment of Cerebral Palsy and Motor Delay, include all children, regardless of their dis-
Second Edition. Sophie Levitt Blackwell Scien- abilities
tific Publications, Ltd, 52 Beacon Street,
Boston, MA 02108 $21.95 A practical and com- Functional Aids for the Multiply Handicapped
prehensive guide on the handling, understanding, Isabel P Robinault, Editor Medical Department,
and treatment of the cerebral palsied child and Harper & Row Publishers, Hagerstown, Maryland
the child with developmental motor delay Methods 1973 The $350 paper cover edition printed for
of treatment are suggested, but special emphasis and made available only through United Cerebral

32 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCE40%K RESNA 1984 32


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

Palsy Association, Inc, 66 East 34th Street, New Inexpensive Equipment for Activities of Daly
York. NY 10016 A revised second edition is to be Living Kathryn S. Cservenyansky, C O.T.A. Occu-
available soon. pational Therapy Department, Job Development
Laboratory, George Washington University Medical
Handling the Young Cerebral Palsied Child at Home Center, 2300 Eve Street NW Room 20 Washington,
N H Formes. E P Dutton, New York, NY $5 95 DC 20037 18 pages $1 00 1973 Manual of
1975. Equipment suggestions are made throughout easily made aids for feeding, dressing, hygiene
the book for commercially available ani do-it-
yourself devices. Also, a list of resources for Let Me Do-It-Yourself A Curriculum Guide for
equipment and accessories is included Teaching Daily Living Skills to Orthopedically
Handicapped Children Joan McCollom Available
Handicapped Children Strategies for improving from Albert Schweitzer School, 6991 Balboa Ave,
Services Gary Breuer and James Kakalik McGraw- San Diego, CA. Pub #1B785 1978 Includes sug-
Hill, 1221 Avenue of Americas, New York, NY 10020 gestion for assistive devices and a checklist for
1979
evaluation of daily living skills evaluation for
school age and preschool children
Handi-Sitters How to Sit for the Handicapped M
Cohn and K Caffey Available from' Melissa Cohn, Occupational Therapy for Mentally Retarded Child-
OTR, 1812 Mapleleaf Blvd, Oldsmar, Florida 33557 ren, M Copeland, L Ford, and N Solon Uni-
63 1389.3. 1979 Chapter 4 Special Equipment
versity Park Press, Baltimore, MD 226 pp 1976
Introduction to special apparatus a caregiver Chapter 6, Adapted Equipment Suggestions,
needs to understand, simple sketches and reasons sketches and construction details for low cost
for use. A companion teaching manual is also aids that can be constrtic..ed in the clinic, class-
available room or home
Helping the Severely Handicapped Child: A Guide Physically Handicapped Children A Medical Atlas
for Parents and Teachers P B Doyle, J F Good- for Teachers Eugene E Bleck, M D and Donald A
man, G.N. Jeffrey, and Lester Mann Thomas Y Nagel, M D Grune & Straton, Inc, 111 5th Ave,
Crowell, Publishers 10 East 53rd Street, New New York, NY 10003 2nd edition, 1982 Funda-
York, NY 10022 1979 This book will help mental medical facts are accompanied by practical
parents, teachers, and others responsible for the suggestions for teachers Assistive devices are
care of children with severe physical and mental included where appropriate
impairments to obtain the best public education
available and assist in solving specific problems, Please Help Us Help Ourselves. Inexpensive Adapted
including the handling of daily at-home activi- Equipment for the Handicapped. Carol Nathan, OTR
ties Chapter on Special Equipment, pp 93-108 Available from- 0 T Program, Indiana University
Medical Center, 1232 W Michigan Street, Indiana-
Home Care for the Chronically III or Disabled polis, IN 46202 $2 00 Illustrates the fabri-
Child A Manual and Sourcebook for Parents and cation of inexpensive adaptive equipment for
Professionals Monica Loose Jones. To be pub- disabled children
lished by Harper & Row, January 1985 Several
chapters focus on uses of assistive devices Posi- Project PROJIMO A Villager-run Reh-tbilitation
tioning Your Child Beds, V",eichairs and Ortho- Program for Disabled Children in Western Mexico
pedic Equipment, Exercises and Orthopedic The Hesperian Foundation, Box 1692, Palo Alto, CA
Appliances, Vision, Hearing, and Communication 94032.
Problems, Bathing, Toileting, and Personal
Hygiene; How and in What to Dress Your Child, How Products for People with Vision Problems Ameri-
and What to Fe...d Your Child can Foundation for the Blind, Consumer Products
Department, 15 W 16th St,eet, New York, NY 10011.
Homemade Battery Powered Toys and Educational Section on Preschool Products, as well as other
Devices for Severely Handicapped Children, Second devices used by children with vision problems.
Edition, and More Homemade Battery Devices for
Severely Handicapped Children with Suggested Acti- Raising Your Hearing-Im aired Child A Guide for
vities. Linda Burkhart, 8315 Potomac Avenue, Parents Shirley McArthur Alexander Graham Bell
College Park, MD 20740 50 pages $500 plus Association for the Deaf, 3417 Volta Place NW,
$1 00 postage and handling 1982 This book Washington, DC 20007 256 pages $10 95. 19R2
gives simple directions for constructing toys and
switches that can be easily operated by severely Special Technology for Special Children Paul
and profoundly handicapped children This book Goldberg University Park Press, 300 North
has a wide range of applications and should be Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201 1979 Com-
useful to parents, teachers, specialists of puters to SS'Ve communication and in education of
vision, hearing, speech, physical and occupational both cerebral palsy and hearing impaired children
therapists
Specially Adapted and Individually Made Hearing
How to Build Special Furniture and Equipment for Aids for Children International Commission on
Handicapped Children Futh B Hofman Charles C Technical Aids (ICTA) ICTA Informatior Center,
Thomas, Publisher, S First Street, Spring- Box 303, S-161-26, Bromma, Sweden. 1982
fielo, IL 62717. 100 pp. $1095 1974 Expli-
cit instructions including pictures, measuremerts Teaching Individuals with Physical and Multiple
and materials for making a standing board, a cut- Disabilities J L Bigge and P A O'Donnell
out table, a standing table, chair inserts, a Charles 2 Merrill, A Bell and Howell Company,
potty chair, etc. Columbus, OH 43216 279 pages Assistive devices
4
33 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 111114 33
INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

are included, especially in the chapters on Aca- A Handbook of Assistive Devices for the Handi-
demics; Severe Communication Problems and Self capped Elderly New Help for Independent Living
Care. Sketches and photographs are used to show Joseph Breuer Haworth Press, 28 East 22nd
device applications; advantages and disadvantages Street, New York, NY 10010 212/228-2800 80
of equipment are listed. pages $2000. 1982 This illustrated book
describes a broad array of devices designed to
Technical Aids for Handicapped Children Rehabi- assist handicapped elderly persons A major em-
litation Centre for Children, Winnipeg, Canada. A phasis is given to devices to help the bedridden
resource book of both commercially available and elderly with limited strength and mobility in
custom made equipment. performing activities of daily living Devices
are classified under such topics as sitting, com-
municating, dressing, eating, toileting, and
Additional Sources of Information for Parents of walking Each chapter has an accompanying biblio-
Disabled Children graphy

The following assot.lations and agencies are among


many that provide resources Write for a list of LARYNGECTOMY
their publications.
Aids and Devices for Laryngectomees Speaking
American Academy of Pediatrics Devices for Laryngectomees Supply Sources for
P.O. Box 1034 Items Used by Laryngectomees Available from
Evanston, IL 60204 International Association of Laryngectomees,
American Cancer Society, 777 Third Avenue, New
American Medical Association York, NY 10017 212/371-2900 The Association's
Bureau of Health Education Annual Directory includes local sources of
525 N. Dearborn Street supplies for the layngectomee patient Reprints
Chicago, IL 60610 and fact sheets include Aids and Devices for
Laryngectomees, Supply Sources for Items Used by
The Association for the Severely Handicapped Laryngectomees, and Speaking Devices for Laryngec-
7010 Roosevelt Way, NE tomees
Seattle, WA 98115

Council for Exceptional Children MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS


1920 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091 "Aids to Ease the Activities of Daily Living,"
Chapter 8 K Robbins and A Abramson In Mul-
Library of Congress, Division flr the Blind and tiple Sclerosis A Guide for Patients and Their
Physically Handicapped Families, Labe C Scheinberg, M D, editor Raven
1921 Taylor Street NW Press, 1140 Avenue of the Americas. 1983
Washington, DC 20542

National Congress of Parents and Teachers ONE-HANDED


700 N Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611 "Adapted Living Aids for a e. lateral Shoulder
Disarticulation " M A Marker American Journal
National Foundation of Dentistry for the of Occupational Therapy, #9, 584, 1977
Handicapped
.726 Champa Handbook for One-Handers A L Danzig 3rd edi-
Denver, CO 80202 tion Federation of the Handicapped. 211 West
14th Street, New York, NY 10011 $1 00 1966
National Information Center for Handicapped Description of a wide variety of actions involved
Children and Youth in everyday living, with detailed advice to the
155 Wilson Blvd. one-handed person for easy performance
Suite 600
Rosslyn, VA 22209 The One-Hander's Book A Basic Guide to Activities
of Daily Living Veronica Washam Harper & Row
Publishers, 10 E 53rd Street, New York, NY
DISABLED ELDERLY 10022 Also available from Independent Living
Research Utilization Project, The Institute for
Easier Wow- Handbook for the Elderly and Handi- Rehabilitation and Research, 1333 Moursund Avenue,
capped. Gean Sargent. Iowa State University Houston, TX 77030
Press, 2121 South State Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
515/294-5280. 223 pages $11 50 1981 This book Sii.-tle-landed Devices and Aids for One Handers
describes devices and adaptations both commer- and Sources of These Devices Betty Garee, ed
cially available and homemade to help elderly Cheever Publications, F 0 Box 700, Bloomington,
disabled persons who want to remain as independent II_ 61701 25 pages, illustrations $3 50 1978
as possible. It is arranged by subjects such as This book is primarily product-oriented, i e, it
cooking, cleaning, bathroom, dressing, grooming, lists devices which could be useful to a one-
relieving aches, sewing and handwork, and mobi- hander and the various sources of these deices
lity. Related publications are listed

eV)

34 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1994 34


INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES

OSTOMY FOR INFORMATION SPECIALISTS

The Ostomv Book: Living Comfortably with rnin.- Academic Library Facilities and Services t"r the
tomes, Ileostomies, and Urostornies Barbara Dorr Disabled J L. Thomas and C H Thomas Oryx
Mullen and Kerry Anne McGinn Bull Publishing Press, 2214 North Central at Encanto Phoenix, AZ
Company, P 0 Box 208, Palo Alto, CA 94302 236 85004 $70 00.
pages, il'ustrations $7 95 1980.
Access Problems with Computer-Based Services.
United Ostomy Association, lrc, 2001 W Beverly E.J Desautels. University of Wisconsin, Depart-
Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057, 213/413-5510 The ment. of Computer Sciences Technical Report #516
Association provides a list of manufacturers and 16 pages. $1 70. October, 1983. Available from
suppliers of equipment for the ostomy patient Trace R&D Center, Reprint Service, 314 Weisman
Center, 1500 Highland Ave., Madison WI 53705
Automated library catalogs which students inter-
PARKINSON'S DISEASE rogate through computer terminals are becoming
commonplace. This report examines the situation
"Aids, Equipment, and Suggestions to Help the at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, and
Patient with Parkinson's Disease in the Act.vities analyzes the general computer access problem in
of Daily Living" (pamphlet) American Parkinson libraries as it impacts upon severely han.ncapped
Disease Association, 147 East 50th Street, New students
York, NY 10022 212/421-5890
Information Services to Disabled Individuals
"Airs to Daily Living for the Patient with Parkin- Drexel Library Quarterly, Drexel University,
son's Disease." Alison Beattie British Occupa- Philadelphia, PA. April 1980, Volume 16, no. 2.
tional Therapy Journal, February, 1981 Available from !URIC, 4407 Eight Street NE,
Washington, DC 20017 $600
"Team Management of Parkinson's Disease" Ameri-
can Journal of Occupational Therapy, 31, 300-308 Library Aids. Gaylord Brothers, Inc, PO. Box
1977 4901, Syracuse, NY 13221, 800/44b-6160 Some
items include. study carrel, convenient height
revolving displays for newspapers, magazines,
STROKE paperbacks, records and cassettes. aids for par-
tially sighted individuals, including free-
Do It Yourself Again Self Help Devices for the standing desk and floor model high-intensity mag-
Stroke Patient American Heart Association, nifying lamps
National Center, 7320 Greenville Avenue, Dallas,
TX 75231 45 pages 1969 Practical aids for Library Services for the Handicapped Adult Carol
eating, dressing, reading, housework, using the H Thomas and James L Thomas, editors The Oryx
bathroom and walking are described and illus- Press, 2214 North Central at Encanto, Phoenix, AZ
trated Suggestions for selection of a wheelchair 85004. 152 pages $2500 Part I of this multi-
and rearrangement of the home are provided authored book presents a background overview and
discussion of needs and approaches to preparing
"Handy, Helpful Hints for independent Living after Librarians in serving handicapped people The
Stroke Julius D Lombardi, National Easter Seal bulk of the work is contained in Part II, which
Society, 2023 W Osckn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612 addresses programs and services to special popula-
15 pages 40 cents plus 25 cents postage & tions Part III reproduces a detailed resources
handling Rev ed, 1980 Practical solutions listing, subdivided in various categories, such as
to everyday problems eating, dressing. garden- books, articles, retrieval systems, equipment
ing, ant. other adaptive activities -- shared by sources, and nonprint media
the man who developed them
The Mainstreamed Library Barbara H Baskin and
Help Yourself A Handbook for Hemiplegics and Karen H. Harris, editors American Library Asso-
Their Families Butterworth, Inc., 3700 Pearl ciation, 50 East Huron, Chicago, IL 60611 293
Street, Washington, DC 20014 1972 pages $35 00 1983

"I'd Rather Do It Myseif N Wall Occupational Meeting the Needs of the Handicapped. A Res.Jurco
Therapy Department, Massachusetts Rehabilitation for Teachers and Librarians C Thomas and J.
Hospital, 125 Nashua Street, Boston, MA 02114 Thomas, editors. Oryx Press, 1980, Phoenix,
Arizona
$2 00 A 12 -page booklet containing descriptions
and illustrations of devices and equipment That All May Read. Library Service for the Blind
and Physically Handicapped 518 pages Free.
Stroke Bibliography Available from National Available from Publication and Media Section,
Easter Seal Society, 2023 West Ogden Ave, Chicago, National Library Service for the Blind and
IL 60612 Has iformation on books, pamphlets, Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress
reprints to read, catalogs to order Washington DC 20542

r
Ou

35 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 35


The Equipment
Selection Process

tl )
THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS 39

EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS 39

EVALUATION FORMATS . 42

GUIDELINES FOR INITIAL CLIENT INTERVIEWS IPROJECT THRESHOLD) 43


INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS CHECKLIST (CM 47

SELECTS) PUBLICATIONS 53

DEVICE SELEC1 ION, BASIC USE AND TRAINING 53

38 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 38


EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

Kathy Bowman, OTR/Prnjecr The/ache. I/4


A toieution process heips to ensure use of the
Rehabilitation Engineering Center simplest, most cost-effective solutions With the
Rancho Los Amigos Hospital vast array of commercial products on the market,
Downey. California and constant changes in technology, it is impera-
tive that a means of search be utilized to avoid
"re-inventing the wheel" with each case Design
All of us who have been involved IA the field of and fabrication of custom equipment is time-
rehabilitation have heard "horror stories" of consuming and costly, and assurance that it is
equipment problems deuces that take forever to indeed the only means of providing needed tecnno-
be built and then cannot be used by the client, logy is essential in our budget-conscious s3ciety
custom duplication of design at many times the
cost of a commercially available item, and clients The client should be actively involved in the
who have one problem solved only to have the selection process This not only ensures that the
solution prevent them from functioning indepen- end product will actually be useful, but may serve
dently in another aspect of the task And all of as a learning experien e for the client Many are
us have probably been involved in at least one :hen able to extrapolate from this experience and
case which became overwhelming in complexity of apply problem solving to future situations, ap-
problems, number of personnel involved and ques- proach new obstacles in an organized manner and
tionable client use of the end product Some of identify appropriate resources when equipment
these situations may be unavoidable, but utiliza- needs arise in the future
tion of a systematized process for equipment
selection can hopefully keep them to a minimum Experience in using a selection process results in
Such a selection process should include a func- the accumulation of information which may be use-
tional assessment of the client and determination ful for future clients The knowledge of means of
of equipment needs Lgoizing appropriate solving a particular problem, the actual equipment
personnel design, and resources for obtaining devices grow
with each case and become a rich resource for
future clients, provided the information is orga-
importance of a Systematic Selection Process nized and obtainable within a system
What does a selection process accomplish? To
begin with, a systematized approach specifically Project Threshold
dafines the problem in the context of other acti- Implementation of z Selection Process
vities A client may be referred for one item,
say, for example, a means of getting paper into a In order to discuss the application of a selection
typewriter Upon further investigation of the process in detail, I am going to describe the
problem, it may become clear which exact aspects program I am most familiar with, Project
of this activity are difficult, and why, in refer- Threshold To begin with some background, Project
ence to the client s capabilities This would Threshold is a client service delivery program
certainly affect the type of equipment needed in designed to meet the needs of the severely dis-
addition, it may be determined that the client's abled person who requires specialized assistance
problem is affected by fatigue of having to first in performing daily life tasks It was originally
position the typewriter, or that, indeed, all funded in 1976 by the California State Department
aspects of desk activities are difficult for him of Rehabilitation Following this initial Innova-
The original equipment request is dealt with not tion and Expansion grant, a contract was awarded
in a void, but in a context which may reveal other in 1978 which established Project Threshold as a
areas of investigation which are also needed to block-funded vendor of services for the Department
improve functioning of Rehabilitation Similar case service contracts
have been awarded each year since 1978 In addi-
A key focus of the selection process is utiliza- tion, as of July 1981, private clients may also be
tion of a functional assessment of the client as a referred to Project Threshold on a fee-for-service
basis for determining equipment needs Knowledge basis
of diagnosis such as "spinal injury C-6 level" or
"muscular dystrophy early stages" is helpful, but Project Threshold's staff consists of a core team
hardly adequate The functional assessment is a who are responsible for the coordination and
thorough evaluation of the client's problem areas, follow-through of all cases As part of the
compensatory methods and strongest assets in terms Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Engineering
of physical and mental skills This often in- Center, we have a supporting staff of engineers
cludes muscle strength, active ranges, pain available for custom design and fabrication, dnd
limitations, sensory abilities, visual skills facilities of a prototype shop and eletrnnics
including perception, coordination and cognitive lab The staffs of Rancho Los Amigos Hospital and
abilities The functional assessment goes a step Department of Rehabilitation Training and Evalua-
further than information found in many medical tion Program are also available to iend their
charts of muscle grades and range degrees in that expertise as needed to augment the core staff
it is done in the context of activity A descrip- abilities Outside consultants, including occupa-
tion of what problems affect hand use, for ex- tional therapists, physical therapists, other
ample, and why it then makes it difficult to allied health professionals, vendors and contrac-
perform certain activities, is much more helpful tors, are utilized when appropriate Community
than the degree of range in the joints of the resources such as independent living centers and
fingers. aftaes related to specific disabilities are used

39 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 39


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

for resources and referrals counselor, rehabilitation consultant for an insur-


ance company, or allied health professional For
A key factor on Project Threshold's titolozatoon of some polvaie t.IICIIIJ, tel .dl may be solely the
a selection process is use of a case coordinator client himself
While a team of personnel may actually be involved
in providing services, one staff member is in The next step in the process is to interview the
charge of reviewing referral information, contac- client An in-depth interview, usually done by
ting the client and counselor, presenting the case telepho 7, obtains information about the client's
for team discussion, coordinating the evaluation, functional abilities and limitations, personal
researching solutions, and determining final care schedule, use of attendants, current living
reccmmendations Having one person in this role situation, and use of adaptive behavior or equip-
lends itself to ensuring an organized approach to ment All areas are covered utilizing an inter-
equipment selection and avoids duplication view sheet, eve- if the referral specified only
one area of need Often problems are identified
Another facet of the program which facilitates the which were not included as a referral reason, but
selection process is use of a Model Home for directly or indirectly affect the original
equipment demonstration and use As part of the problem
REC, the Model Home houses the Rehabilitation
Equipment Demonstration unit established under a Completion of the interview allows the case co-
grant from the National Institute of Handicapped ordinator to identify the prohlems and set tenta-
Research. The Model Home is designed to look like tive goals Gathering detailed information from
a home, and is stocked with equipment and home the client prior to the ar wet evaluation allows
modification examples in a realistic environment formulation of a total picture of the client's
The majority of equipment has been obtained pri- needs in the context of his daily life style, and
marily from manufacturers as a donation or on a a beginning plan that will make the actual evalua-
loan basis for demonstration purposes Certain tion quality time
other equipment has been obtained from the Vet-
erans' Administration Prosthetic Center in con- The case is then presented by the case coordinator
junction with equipment evaluation programs to a team meeting within one week of the inter-
Several charitable organizations have also pro- view This meeting of the Project Threshold staff
vided financ,al assistance Several hundred inex- and the liaison person with the Department of
pensive commercially available Items, v,Olich have Rehabilitation Training and Evaluation Unit is a
been purchased or donated, are used extensively in problem-solving session The goal for the evalua-
independent living evaluations Use of the Model tion, location (such as Model Home, client's home,
Home is invaluable in augmenting proper selectic or job site visit), need for specialized equip-
of equipment ment, and personnel to be included are all deter-
mined An occupational therapist is always
A final key of the Project Threshold's organiza- included, as this profession makes up the majority
tion is resource material Catalogues and bro- of the Project Threshold staff The need for
chures on commercially available equipment useful early involvement of engineering personnel may be
to the disabled have been collected from over est,Dlished, depending on the type of technology
1,000 m ' 'rers and incorporated into a master it appears will be needed It is also determined
cross-referent. Ile In addition, equipment if outside consultants such as a physical thera-
search is done througt ABLEDATA, a computerized pist should be brought in for the initial evalua-
data base of rehabilitation products accessed tion or at a late- nomt An agenda is prepared
through the National Rehabilitation Information for the evaluation
Center This product information is delivered
through an information broker who is housed in the The staff member invol i in the case then orga-
same facility as Project Threshold It includes nizes and prepares for the evaluation Scheduling
descriptions and evaluation comments from users as is done with the client, counselor, and consul-
well as basic data on the product tants, and appropriate equipment is obtained
When not available in the Model Home, manufac-
turers may be contacted to provide equipment on
Steps in the Selection Process trial or loan basis In some cases, the initial
evaluation must be done prior to determining pos-
The first step of the selection process which sible equipment needs, so identification of equip-
Project Threshold uses is receipt and review of ment for trial may come at a later point
the ref. rral information by the case coordinator
The information required for referral includes Next the client is evaluated Every attempt is
basic data on the client such as age, diagnosis, made to include the referring oerson in the eva-
medical background information, a statement of luation as well Most evaluations take place in
problem areas, and functional changes expected as the Model Home, but home and job site visits are
a result of the evaluation Appropriateness of conducted when there is an identified need for
the referral is determined, some cases are that environment The actual evaluation includes
referred to outside facilities or community re- a functional assessment of the client, problem
sources, where services required are less complex identification specifically through observation
or more appropriate for a local resource beyond the initial referral and interview, demon-
stration of alternate methods of performing acti-
The necessary background information is collected, vities, and equipment trials Solutions may be
and clarification or elaboration on any of these apparent quickly as the client performs tasks, or
aspects is accomplished by verbal collaboration may require an extensive trial-and-error process,
with the referring person, be it rehabilitation with mew, from many personnel In complex cases,

40 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 40


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

several problem-solving session and an extensive reason for evaluation was not only to identify
search for outside equipment resources may be equipment needs in relation to one-handed use, but
necessary also to determine if behavior problems such is
confusion with memory loss would affect safety in
in any cese, the final outcome of the evaloat,c,n per formance
'e to determine recommendations Solutions to
problems may fall under any one of these cate- Dunne the interview, the client revealed that she
gorier: adaptive behavior, commercial equipment, had had little opportunity to attempt homemaking
custom equipment and training Solutions always activities since onset of her disability, but that
begin with the possibility of the client 'earning she was independent in her personal care It was
an alternate ,nique or edapting his behavior, noted that her speech was rambling and often tan-
such as learning to dress in lee wheelchair Se- gential, causing the case coordinator to queston
cond, commercially available equip ment that ould her organizational abilities
su,ve the -roblem is identified and hopefully
located fur trial use luent 'icatien of the After discussion in team meeting, a plan for
appropriate device may, in some rases, be made evaluation in the Model Home by an occupational
only after an exhaustive sear-'- utilizing the therapist was determined Emphasis was to be
resources mentioned earlier c,nly after these placed on task performance in cooking an actual
first two avenues are exhausted is custom design meal to detern..ne appropriateness of commercially
and fabrication of devices considered In these available devices and the client's ability to
cases, engineering personnel then become exten- adapt to new methods and use one-handed equipment
sively involved in the Whew process, from the Of particular concern was an assessment of her
point of evaluation to end product In addition judgement, problem solving and organization in the
to these three types of solutions, the need for kitchen, and safety with environmental distrac-
training, either in adaptive behavior or use of tions After the appropriate equipment was
the equipment once obtained, le dentified Ex- located, preparation was made for a cooking eva-
tensive training such as would be needed for one- luation, and staff and client were sch duled
handed typing is beyond the scope of Project Functional assessment showed Shirley to be ambula-
Threshold, and the client and referring pereens ton, for short distances, but that she sat fre-
are then prov d with appropriate community quently in the wheelchair to perform activ ' ^e
resources She was left-dominant with good dexterity, but
non-functional in the upper right extremity The
The next stet in the selection process is a writ- evaluation revealed that the client's task per-
ten report, two to four weeks following the last formance outweIghert her verbal skills, and that
session with the client The evaluation results she was organized, attentive, and safe in home
and recommendations are summarized, and details skills As she had no use of the right arm, she
given of the specific tasks evaluated When com- was an ideal candidate for commercial devices
mercially avatioole equipment is recommended, designed for one handed use, and learned quickly
exact model numbers, local sources, and approxi- how to utilize them in the equipment trial Over-
mate costs are given Every attempt is made to all problem-solving and planning skills were noted
justify equipment identified in functional terms as being adequate for independent living, despite
to provide clear documentation of need, assist the verbal distractability Adaptive behavior was
referring person with financial considerations, introduced to her in method:: of kitchen, organiza-
and make clear expectations of the results in tion and performing activities o,ice it was deter-
terms of the client's change in abilities with the mined she was capable of making changes Resource
device, and how that will affect his performance reading material ai,d commercially available equip-
at home, work, or school Arrangements for fabri- ment were recommended for her These -ecommenda-
cation of custom devices are clearly stated, Lnd eons were included in the written report to the
cost estimates given rehabilitation counselors, and local vendors for
specific pieces of equipment were listed
The last step in the process is follow-up with the
referring :erson and client to ensure that Project The report also included recommendations for fur-
Threshold recommencetions were relevant and easily ther professional input once Shirley obtained her
understandable The avenue is left open for fur- apart ient, as she would not have the adapted bath-
ther refinement of information and modification; o' room facilities of the board and care home After
custom devices when indicated Clients are some- several month;, she was re-referred to Project
times re-referred to the program if their situa- Threshold, and a home visit was made for c pment
tion changes and new goals are established, or recommendations for toileting and bathing She
problems arise had already obtaeed a frame for the toilet and a
small tub bench, Jut assessment reveal, she
needed additional equipment, including a raised
Case Example toilet meat and tub safety rail, for greater ease
and safety in these activerts An additional
This case is that of a 53-year-old woman, four report with description of rerformance and speci-
years p ^t- stroke with right hemiplegia Shirley fic equipment recommendations was sent, and the
was .,red to Project Threshold by her Depart- case was closed
ment of Rehabilitation counselor, and had a voca-
tional goal of homemaker She was residing in a This case is an example of a relatively simple
board and ca-e home, and evaluat on was needed, evaluation in terms of personnel, time, c .mplexity
particularly in the area of kitchen activities, to and cost of solutions Even so, use of the selec-
determine her potential to live ind.ipendently tion process was valuable in determining evalua-
Clarification of the referral revealed that Rile tion parameters early, assc ino a thorough rele-

41 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1%4 41


THE EQUIPMENT sar 10N PROCESS

vent evaluation mod appropriate follow-up To EVALUATION FORMATS


Sliale,, this intervention was a major factor in
her change in lifestyle to a happier, independent The following evaluation forms aie two examples of
eltli"iel 6 el grit aasgszirigiitb that t..011 be used in the selec-
tion process to identify problem areas prior to
Implications of Selection Process the formulation of solutions The first is from
Project Threshold. it provides guidelines for an
The steps of this process have evolved over the initial client interview, and would be completed
first six years of Project Threshold's existence by the service provider The second has been used
We have felt the implications of use of this at the Center for Independent Living, it could be
systematized approach in noting growth and r,hanges filled in by the client prior to meeting with the
in the program Initially, the vast majority of service provider Both lend themselves well to
solutions involved custom devices, now the major- preparing written reports
ity of solutions are found in adaptive behavior
and/or commercially available equipment

Percentage
Service Categories of Cases

Problem identification
and/or adaptivt behavior 2"
recommendations

Evaluation and recommenda-


tion of commercially 57%
available equipment

Evaluation and modification


9%
of commercially available
equipment

Evaluation and custcm


design and fabrication of 14%
equipment

Service Category St:Iistics for Project Threshold


1981-1°82 (Total = 80 clients)

It is s gnificant to note that despite the fact


that ,,ii clients served are severely disabled, in
7 l''.1 of these cases the solutions involved adaptive
behavior and/or commercially available devices.
resulted in lower average costs per client
When these more conservative methods have been
exlitiusted, however, custom modification and fabri-
cation of equipment becom,- crucial to problem
solution This occurred in 23% cf the cases

42 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK PESNA 1984


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

PROJECT THRESHOLD

Guidelines for Initial Client Interview


!. Gz len! blferntatIcr:

Client's Name Height Weight


Telephone Age

Disability

Previous Rehabilitation

Current Living Situation


Alone With Attendant With Fan.ily

Other
House Apartment Other
Own Rent

Assistance Provided
Attendant Homemaker Chore Services

Other
Number of Hours per

II. Mobility

Ambulation Yes No

Devices used

Wheelchair Yes No
Manual Type

Method of Propulsion

Powered Type

Method of Control

Describe use

Ability to get in and out of house (ramps, steps, doors, locks)

Transportation
Drive Yes No
Type of Vehicle

Equipment Used

Transfer

Public Transportation Use

Other

43 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 43


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

III. Description of Extremiiies Use

Under Right

Left

Lower Right

Left

Devices used

Sensation
Upper Right

Left

Lower Right

Left

Other Factors Affecting Use


ROM/Contractures

Endurance

Other

IV. Body Handling Skills

Sitting Balance
BO Supported Unsupported
Wheelchair Supported Unsupported
Roll from side to side Yes No
Come to sitting from supine Yes No
Stand from sitting position Yes No

Bed Transfers

Position self in bed Yes No

Relief of Ischia' pressure

V. Activities of Daily Living

A Eating Independent Assisted Unable

Describe methods/equipment used

Light Higiene/Grooming Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

B Dressing

Upper extremity Independent Assisted Unable


Lower extremity Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

44 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 44


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

C. Toileting
Bladder control Yes No

RA..tf."As/...quipment used

bowel control Yes No

Methods/equipment used

Toilet Transfer Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

L,,giene/Management of Clothing
Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

D Bathing Independent Assisted Unable

Bathtub Bathtub with Shower


Shower Stall Bed
Trans;ers Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

E Homemaking

Cooking Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Marki,-;.rvi Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Laundry Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Light Housekeeping Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Heavy Housekeeping Independent Assisted Unable

Methods /equipment used

45 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING 3OURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 45


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

VI. Vocations! Information

Current Activities/Plans

Skills
Writing Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Typing. Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Phoning Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Filing: Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Manarny books and papers Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Note Taking. Independent Assisted Unable

Methods/equipment used

Other

VII. Leisure

Describe leisure activities

Describe methods/equipment used

VIII.Description of a typical day

IX. Preliminary goal setting for Project Threshold intervention

f;()

48 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIV;;G SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 46


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS CHECKLIST

FUNCTIONAL ABILITY DESCRIPTION

Please check (X) the Always Can,but Abso- Want to Not ap- Where relevant,
appropriate box; if indepen- usually lutely change plicable please describe
equipment is used, dent don't can't the aid, either
mark the box (E if personal or mech-
personal assistance is anical, that you
used mark the box (P); use
if either (E) and/or
(P) is marked, please
describe in the last
column

ACTION OR ACTIVITY

Dressing

Dress upper body

Dress lower body

Shoes, socks

Buttons, zippers, bras


J
Transfers

Getting into bed

Getting out of bed

Positioning yourself
in bed
Getting on toilet

Getting off toilet

Getting into car

Getting out of car

Grooming & Hygiene

Getting into tub/


shower
Getting out of tub/
shower
Washing hands & face

Light Grooming

Washing hair

Brushing teeth

Toilet hygiene

47 TECHNOLOGY FOR !NOE? ENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1944 47


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

I
FUN:TIONAL ABILITY nrcrRIPTVIN

I 1

Please check (X) the Always Can,but I Abso- Want to I Not ap- Where relevant,
appropriate box, if indepen- usually lutely change placable please describe
equipment is used, dent don't can't the aid, either
mark the box (E), if personal or mech-
personal assistar.:e is anical, that you
used mark the box (P); use
if either (E) and/or
(P) is marked, please
describe in the last
column.

Light Grooming, cont.

Nail care

Make-up

Ear care

Brushing hair

Shaving

Feminine hygiene
J

Eating & Drinking

Feeding self
1

Cutting

Drinking

PROBLEMS (describe)

Bowel & Bladder

Controlling urination
(desc-'oe, day & night)

If catheter, reserve
set available? Yes No

Controlling defecation
(describe)

64;

48 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 48


THE EOUIPMENT saucnos PROCESS

FUNCTIONAL ABILITY DESCRIPTION


1

Please che.k (X) the Always Can,but Abso- I Want to I Not ap- Where relevant,
appropria,e box, if indepen- usually lutely change I plicable please Iltscribe
equipment is used, dent don't can't the aid, either
mark the box (E), if personal or mech-
pJrsonal assistance is anical, that you
used mark the box (P), use
if either (E) and/or
(P) is marked, please
describe in the last
column

Physical Mobility
1

Mobility aids

Walking inside home

Walking outside home

Up/Down Stairs

Escalators

Elevators

Curbs
J

Wneelchair

Manuel propelling
inside home
Manual propelling
outside home
Electric turns ons
in rain

Using Public
Transportation
Bus

BART (rapid trans't)

Airplanes/trains

Using Private
Transportation !

Drive self

Own vehicle

Valid driver's
license 1

D P plates I
I
I

49 TECHNOLOGY FON INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK NUM 1984 49


THE INSUINMENT SELECTION PROCESS

FoiNCTIONAL ABIL:TY OF SCRiPTION

Please check (X) the Always Can,hut Abso- Want to Not ap- Where relevant,
appropriate box, if indepen- usually lutely change plicable please describe
equipment is used. dent don't can't the aid, either
mark the box (E), if personal or mech-
personal assistance is anical, that you
used mark the box (P), use
if either (E) and/or
(P) is marked, please
describe in the last
column

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Writing signature

Speakinn

Reading

Listening

Signing

Typing
-_,
Wor4 board

Telephone

ADL TASKS

Cooking
J
Using range

Using oven

Using refrigerator

Using freezer

Using sink faucets

Transporting cookware,
ingredients, etc
Using can openers 1

Kitchen accessibility
(descrihe)

Safety precautions
(describe)

50 TICISNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 11114 50


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

FUNCTIONAL ABILITY DESCRIPTION

Please check (X) the Alway.- Can,but Abso- Want to Not ap- Where relevant,
appropriate box, if indepen- usually lutely change plicable please describe
equipment is used, dent can't the aid, either
mark the box (E), if personal or mech-
personal assistance is anical, that you
used mark the box (P), use
if either (E) and/or
(P) is marked, please
describe in the last
Column

Cleaning

Washing dishes

Laundry

Housecleaning

Vacuuming

Dusting

Floors

Other

Opening/closing doors

Problem door openings

Keys

Light switches

Pay phones

Money handling

Checking account

51 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 51


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

I
1

FUNCT:ONAL ABILITY DESCRIPTION

Please check (X) the Always I Can,but Abso- Want to I Not ap- Where relevant,
appropriate box, f indepen- 1 usually lutely change I plicable please describe
equipment is used, dent i don't can t the aid, either
mark the box IE), if personal or mech
personal assistance is anical that you
used mark the box (P), use
if either IE) andior
(P) is marked, please
describe in the last
column

ADL HEALTH

Taking medications
I

Diet/nutrition
(describe)

Range of Motion
Exercise (frequency)

On-going therapy

Skin care (pressure


sore prevention)

ADL EQUIPMENT

Wheelchair Maintenance

General
___J
Water in battery H

J
Air in tires
__J
Recharging battery on
electric chair J
Maintenance of
mobility aids _J
Maintenance of
assistive devices _J

6t

5? TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SDURCE8DOK RESNA 1984 52


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: DEVICE SELECTION, BASIC USE AND TRAINING

The following- resources have ifiCrie uiiorriiaiwn on Aids to Independent Citing Self-Help for the
assessment and the selection process Handicapped Edward Lowman, MD, Judith Klinger,
OTR McGraw Hill Book Company, Blakeston Divi-
Assistive Devices for Handicapped Students, A sion, New York The American compendium of assis-
Model and Guide for a Statewide Delivery System tive devices, also describes adaptive techniques
National Association of State Directors of Special and innovative ways to use devices (Out of
Education, Washington, D C 1980 27 pp $4 50 print, but available in most rehab dept lib-
raries, OT depts, etc ) 1969
Equipment for the Disabled National Fund for
Research into Crippling Diseases 2 Foredown Basic Rehabilitation Techniques A Self-Instruc-
Drive, Portslade, Brighton, England 10 booklet tional Guide Robert D Sine et al, editors
series which provides guidelines to help in the Aspen Systems Corporation, 1600 Research Blvd,
selection of equipment Pictures of commercially Rockville, MD 20850 1981 268 pages $20 95
available and do-it-yourself aids, 1973-1980 This book was written for nurses who work with
disabled persons Its goal is to prlvide the
Independence through Environmental Control Sys- nurse with the basic rehabilitation techniques to
tems David Symington, et al Canadian Rehabili- enable him/her to train disabled people in ordi-
tation Council for the Disabled, Toronto, On- nary functional activities This includes self-
tario, Canada 1980 64 pp $5 00 care activities, mobility, pressure relief pain,
etc The techniques described are simple and
Occupational Therapy Willard & Spackman's 5th utilize equipment that is readily available The
Edition Helen Hopkins and Helen Smith, Editors text is written in clear language E -,ellent
J B Lippincott Co, Philadelphia 1978 drawings and pictures add to comprehension of
details of the technique Because the techniques
Project TEACH Technical Education Aids for Child- include training in the use of assistive devices,
ren with Handicaps A Model and Demonstration this book is also useful to more than just nurses
Project Memphis City Schools, Division of Spe- as an introductory guide to the equipment most
cial Education, Department of Pupil Services, commonly used by the disabled It discusses
Memphis, Tennessee selection, use and training with the devices

Project Threshold A Model System for Delivery of Exercises and Selfcare Activities for Quadriplegic
Rehabilitation Engineering Services Rancho Los People Accent Special Publications, Box 700,
Amigos Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Downey, Bloomington, IL 61701
California April 1979
Handling the Young Cerebral Palsied Child at Home
Project Threshold A Model System for Delivery of N R Finnie, FCSP, A Sunrise Book, E P Dutton, 2
Rehabilitation Engineering Services Annual Re- Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016 $5 95 1975
port 1980 Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, Rehabi-
litation Engineering Center, Downey, California Mealtime Manual for People with Disabilities and
the Aging Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine,
Rehabilitation Engineering Sourcebook Institute New York University Medical Center and Campbell
for Information Studies Falls Church, Virginia Soup Company, Box (MM) 56, Camden, NJ, 1978
1979, updated annually
Physical Management for the Quadriplegic Patient
"A Systematic Approach to Evaluating Physical J Ford and B Duckworth FA Davis Company,
Ability for Control of Assistive Devices" Pro- Philadelphia, PA (Out of print, look for it in
ceedings of the Fourth Annual Conference on Rehab- an OT or PT or a rehab dept I 1974 $16 95 This
ilitation Fngineering, 1981 Rehabilitation Engi- textbook on the physical management of quad-
neering Society of North America 4405 EastWest riplegic patients includes an appendix which de-
Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 scribes do- it- yourself aids for these individuals

Team Assessment of Device Effectiveness Rehabi- Providing Early Mobility Intermed Communica-
litation Engineering Center Children's Hospital tions, Inc, 132 Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044
at Stanford, Palo Alto, California October 1980 1980 This book is part of a series of training
manuals for nurses It includes detailed instruc-
tion needed to use the following pieces of trans-
These publications offer information on selection, fer --d positioning equipment cradle bouts, hand
training and use of devices rolls, footboards, hand splints, transfer boards,
and mechanical I.fters In other sections of the
Aids Decision and provision A Systematic Ap- book concise captions and how-to-do-it photos
proach to the Selection of Assistive Devices for show you how to safely transfer a patient with
the Disabled Person (2nd ad I Community Occupa- halo traction, how to select the proper crutches,
tional Therapy Assoc, 1974 Wilson Avenue #201, cane, walker, or wheelchair for your patient, and
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5M 3A7 1982 $50 00 how to teach him to use the equipment correctly
List and comparison of commercially available It also includes step-oy-step procedures and
wheelchairs, communication aids, self-help de- photos for turning and positioning, range-of-
vices, and guidelines for environmental access moilon and isometric exercises, and transfer tech-
niques This is an excellent training manual for
anyone, for instance, a disabled parson could use
I a

n3 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 53


THE EQUIPMENT SELECTION PROCESS

It to train a personal care attendant The photos


are so explanatory, the text is almost unneces
sary

The Selection of Toilet Aids for Disabled People


Results of Evaluation Study and Guidelines for
the Selection of Toilet Aids for Adult Disabled
People The Institute for Consumer Ergonomics, 75
Swingbridge Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire,
LE11 OJB, England 1981 This booklet is the
first of two, and deals only with toilet aids A
second booklet will be concerned with bath aids

Self-Help Manual for Patients with Arthritis


Arthritis Health Professions Section of Arthritis
Foundation, 3400 Peachtree Road, N E Atlanta,
Georgia 30326 1980

54 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 54


Technology
At Home
TECHNOLOGY AT HOME 55

TECHNOLOGY AT HOME 55

INTRODUCTION 57
HOSPITAL BEDS AT HOME 57
HOME MANAGEMENT 60
PERSONAL CARE 62
CLOTHING & SHOES 62
ARCHITECTURAL ADAPTATIONS 63

MORE PUBLICATIONS ON AT-HOME TECHNOLOGY & TECHNIQUES 64

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR THE HOME 66

I0

56 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDC?ENDENT LIVING SOURCEB004 RESNA 1954


TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

It seems that once you open the door to (information about) the home, the
room gets very unorganized A great dc& has been virittan in 011 diet/
about assistive devices, adaptive techniques, Ideas, inventions, designs
Most bcoks have a little of everything in them An attempt to separate
publications by function e g, cooking, self-care -- is no more sut.cess-
ful than trying to categorize according to type of oid i`orniture, bathing
aid)

In this section, a few more obvious categories of devices and/or


applications have be in out from the general publication guide, and
listed as separate cate .ies But to save space, most home-oriented
devices remain joined together The list of references to self-care aids
looked a lot like the books on bathroom a ds The categories that did
stand out in the available literature are often also covered in the general
topic publications, so you should refer to Information Resources section,
too

HOSPITAL BEDS COME HOME

For the person who needs a hospital bed at home, Hospital Bed Options
the available outions make careful selection es-
sential Optional Features Characteristics & Indications
Thu list of HOSPITAL BEU OPTIONS and considera-
tions for selection is excerpted from the article Side Rails
"Hospital Beds Come Home" by Helen Cioschi, RN,
and Mary Pat Erdner, RN, which appeared in the 1 Full length o Ensure safety of neurologi-
May, 1984 issue of Rx home Care, Vol 6, No 6, cally impaired confused
pp 70-76 It is reprinted here with permission or sedated patients
of Barrington publv.ations, 825 Barrington Avenue, o Increase bed a,nfiiltty of
Los Angeles CA 90649 For more itiformation, patients when turn n,, side
please reer to the article to s.de
o May limit transfer
"Once the need ft- a hospital bed has been deter- mobility
mined, c thorough assessment of the patient's bed
and mattress requirements is necessary Equipment 2 Half length o Ensure safety of patients
is selected on the basis of its suitability to the with minimal neurologic
patient's level of function, home environment, and impairment by reminding
access to tundina them to seek assistance
o Increase bed mobility of
"Factors in Bed Choice
patients when turning side
to side
"Will the bed and mattress meet the medical and o Easier than full-length side
functional needs of the patient? Will they pro- rails for patients to put
vide safety and support? up and down for independent
transfer
"Can the patient use the equipment to maximize
independence? Are the beu controls accessible to 3 Half length o Rece,s under the bed when
the patient? Can the bed and ma:tress height be tucka way in down position
adjusted for a safe wheelchair-to-bed transfer? o Facilitate transfers by
Would it be helpful to the patient to have side allowing wheelchair to Le
rails that adjust up or down? Is the mattress moved closer to bed
durable, comfortable, and easy to maintain; Is it o Appear less conspicuous
more important for the patient to have functional than fixed side rails
mobility or pressure relief? o May be less secure than
fixed side rails when not
"What kind of repair and delivery service will the in locked positior
dealer provide? What kind of service is offered
after the warranty expires? 4 Home-style o Can to placeo on a non-
hospital bed
"Is it more cost-effective to rent or purchase o Cost-eft 'ctive for patients
this equipment?
who do not require a hospi-
tal bed but who need the
security of side rails
o Adju A to an vp or down
position
o Ensure safety of neurologi-
cally impaired, confused,

57 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1904 57


Trese:iii,CCilf AT HOME

comatose or sedated pa- Mattresses


tients
o Must be secured properly to 1 Standard foam o Available in varicus densi-
side of bed to ensure opti- ties and thicknesses
ma! safety Thos w,th ccvcrs
resist staining
Bed Controls o Do not distribute weight or
decrease skin pressure
1 Located on side o Easily accessed o Patient's position rnust be
rail o Patients must have 000d changed frequently
hand control
o Patients must be cogni- 2 Water o Distribute weight and de-
tively intact crease skin pressure
2 Hand o Can be reached easily by o Useful for patients with
patients who are cogni- skin "breakdown" or high
tively intact or can be risk of skin breakdown
placed out of reach of o Will not enhance and may
patients who are confused interfere with functional
o Control buttons can be re- mobility
cessed, raised, or touch- o May be heavy and require
controlled depending on additional motors or rein-
patient's fine motor forced frame to support the
function weight

2 Environmental o Assists patients who lack 3 Air o Distribute weight and de-
ccntrol un.t finger or upper extremity crease skin pressure
strength to control both o Provide a poor base of
the bed and aid electrical support
elements such as lighting o May interfere with the
o High cost may be prohibi- function of patients
tive
o Sopnistication of unit may 4 Gel o Distribute weight and de-
result in complex repairs crease skin breakdown
in the event of breakdown o Useful for ,,atients with
skin breakdown or high risk
Bed Deck of skin breakdown
o Provide a firm base of
1 Link o I olds mattress adequately support for functional
o May puncture a water or gel mobility
mattress o Available in sections or as
o Time-consuming to clean a whole mattress
2 Pan o Flat surface will not punc-
'Lite a water or gel
mattrecc
o Easy to clean

Bed Site

1 Single o Least expensive


o Will fit into a small room
o Size does not allow for
optimal positioning

2 Double o May enhance mobility, espe-


cially for larger clients
o Adequate space for bedmate

3 Queen o Preferrea by many patients


o Size may interfere with bed
mobility
o Adequate space for bedmate

4 King ltwu o Allows patient to use hos-


single beds pital bed while bedmate
side by side uses nonhospital bed
o Allows patient to use water
mattress while be dmate uses
standard foam mattress

58 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 19t. 58


TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

Fcattress Surface%

A study, "Pressure Relief Characteristics of Six


Therapeutic Mattress Surfaces," by I Hersikowicz
et al, was reported in the Proceedings of the
Sixth Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engi-
neering, San Diego. 1983

"The objective of this study is to compare the


effectiveness of various bed support surfaces in
providing pressure relitif and redistributing loads
away from areas of bony prominence and to deter-
mine if body builds affects related effective-
ness"

The team evaluated these six mattress surfaces


Stryker, ROHO, Puff Pak 2", Puff Pak 4", Gaymar
(lc.w cycle) and Lapidus (low cycle), and reached
these

"CONCLUSIONS

"1 All of the therapeutic mattresses appear to be


significantly more effective in producing lower
pressures than the standard mattress, especially
under the trochanters

"2 The ROHO mattress appears to be slightly more


effective in reducing the maximum pressures under
the trochanters than the other therapeutic matt-
resses tested However, even though the ROHO
appears to to more effective in rendering lower
pressures, it may be impractical from the nursing
care standpoint, due to the d.fliculty of using
It

"3 When considering ail of the pressure areas


monitored in the study, the therapeutic mattresses
are all of statistically equal value in reducing
pressures However, a particular mattress should
be matched to c specific patient, since, as can be
seen from the ranges noted from each mattress,
each subject did do better on one mattress than on
the rest

"4 The Lapidus has the disadvantage of a large


pump, which cannot be placed under the patient's
bed Jae to its size Ihis may be a potential
protlem in some hospitals or home settings, as it
is a safety hazard for those taking care of the
patient

"5 Females generally :lave lower iiiaximum pressure


than males on all the mattresses tested

"6 There appears to be a slight difference be-


tween the "thin" and "aver tge" body type subjects,
with thin subjects generally having hgh pressures
under the trochanters and thi. sacrum

"7 The magnitude of the pressure under the sacrum


is often depende it on the patter is lower back
curvature which causes the pressure to shift to
the coccyx"

Please refer to the article for more sp.lciftc in


formation on methodology and results

59 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEROCK. RESNA 1984 59


TEVINOLOGY AT HOME

HOME MANAGEMENT

There are many devices on the market dosigred to Homemaking Manual A Reference Manual for Rehabi-
help able-bodied people perform household tast:s litation Teachers Western Michigan Unmet:Ay,
more efficiently 8e'ause of their design, some Kalamazoo, Michigan 1980 A reference ,nanual
require no adaptations for use by disabled people fo rehabilitation teachers of blind homemakers
Other commercially available products need only Chapters cover personal care techniques, identifi-
simple adaptations to be usable cation of personal and household items, cleaning,
laundering, cooking, and household record -keeping
There are also products made especially tc help
the disabled person to be more independent These Homemaking Unlimited Series A M Burton and V
available gadgets are too numerous to include Trotter Independent Living Rehabilitation, Dept
here Product information can be obtained from of Human Development and the Family, University of
ABLEDATA, or by paging through some of the books Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583 $0 10 each
in the publications list 1 Easy--to -Use Kitchen
2 No Stoop, No Stretch Kitchen Storage
Selected Publications 3 Easy-to-Use Sink Center
4 Easy-to-Use Cooking and Serving Center
These two free booklets about designing environ- 5 Easy-to-Use Mixing Center
ments for disabled people, "Aids to Independent 6 Streamlined Household Talks
Living" and "Designs for Independent Living," show 7 The Eathruom Made Safe and Usable
how everyday tools and household products can be 8 Cleaning Supplies Keep Them Handy
adapted for easier use by disable d people Avail- Brief descriptions of principles and applications
able free from Appliance Information Service, for persons with physical disabilities
Whirlpool Corp, Administrative Center, Benton
Harbor, MI 49022 Home Management (Equipment for the Disabled
Series) Oxford Regional Health Authority 2
Aids to Independent Living Suggestions for in- Foredown Drive, Postslade, Brighton 8N4 288, ENG-
stalling and operating home appliances for easier LAND Lists and describes, ,,,ith photogi aphs,
use by disabled persons In many instances, devices and equipment for the physically disabled
special tool, cortrol or installation may be homemaker Covers categories such as safety,
needed so someone with a disability can use an kitchen planning, storage, food preparation and
appliance most conieniently While most of these cooking, cleaning and refuse dispos,t1 Includes
modifications are made by the user. some manufac- reference and rescurv. lists
turers do offer special aids to helr owners adapt
their appliances to meet the need of a specific "Kitchen Aids Resources for the Visually Impaired
disability Such aids include soft adaptor knobs Cook " Mary Beth Caruso Aids and Appliances
for those with arthritic hands and Braille con- Review, Issue No 8, Spring 1983 The Carroll
trols and instructions for blind consumers Some Center for the Blind, 770 Centre Street, Newton,
manufacturers and appliance retailers o.fer these MA 02158 617/969-6200 This issue presents the
aids at no charge ..s at a very moderate cost most commonly used aids designed for the visually
impaired and some alternative uses for everyday
Designs for Independent Living This booklet cookware The text is divided into sections deal-
addresses the problems of selecting, positioning, ing with the various aspects of kitchen management
and installing major home appliances in a kitchen and food preparation A resource guide follows
or laundry room for most convenient use by home- 'ections where appropriate Each resource guide
makers with physical disabilities While it is is a sampling of the types of aids explained
designed primarily for those who must work from witoin the text For simplicity, many of the
wheelchairs, many of the designs and ideas can be corn ion use items have been selected from national
readily adapted to kitchens and laundries for use mail circler houses, however, most of these items
by those whole disabilities strokes, arthritis, are also commercially available in local retail
multiple sclerosis, heart disease, visual impair- stores The modified or adapted aids listed are
ment, and many others impose other limitations available from distributors, nationally and inter-
nationally, who specialize in aids and appliances
Adaptations and Techniques for the Disabled Home- for the usually impaired and blind individual
maker K. Hodgeman and A Lundberg Sister Kenny
Institute, dll E 27th Street, Minneapolis, MN The Kitchen Book Terence Conran Crown Pub-
55404 4th edition 30 pages lishers, New York $30 00 360 pages 1974
Small concise section on design ideas for the
Cooking Without Looking Food Pr.-ration Methods disabled and elderly
and Techniques for VisualliHandicapped Home
makers Esther Knudson Tipps American Printing A Manual for Training the Disabled Homemaker
House for the Blind, Louisville, Kentucky 1978 HA Rusk, E L Kristletter, J S Judson, G M
Hunt, and M E Zimmerman Institute of Rehabili-
Tho Disabled Homemaker Hoyt Anderson Charles
tation Medicine, New York, NY 1974 Reprint of
C Thomas Publisher, 2600 S First Street, Spring- a 1955 manual which described hints and devices
field, IL 60717 1981 Opening chapters focus on for disabled homemakers which are still useful
psychological need for independence, while i ealis- The emphasis is on low cost, easily made equipment
tically pointing out the risks involved in inde- rather than electronic gadgets
pendent living The following chapters provide
advice on personal care and homemaking tasks for ,-.
both ambulatory and nonambulatorN. individuals l -,
Also included are architectural considerations

80 TECHNOLOGY FOPI INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 60


TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

Mealtime Manual for People with Disabilities and Modifying Major Home Appliances
the Aging Prepared by Institute of Hehabilita-
tion Medicine INew York University Medical Cen- At least three manufacturers now offer braille
ter) Available from Campbell Soup Company, Box overlays for control panels of their microwave
(MMl 56, Camden, NJ 08101 1978. Principles, ovens The overlays do not impeded the use of
techniques and equipment suggestions for meal controls by sighted users, and can be easily re-
preparation and homemaking Updated to include moved for cleanint.
information on food processors, etc This is a
highly recommended book Whirlpool provides a panel that fits over its
touch panel models along with a Braille use and
On Your Own Division of Continuing Education, care guide
University of Alabama Published month:y from
January, 1910 through Dezember, 1980 Produced as Amana offers an overlay far its control panel that
a special project of t6s Continuing Education in makes it easy to set the times and temperatures
Home Economics program at the University of Ala- and to check timing progress Included are seven
bama, this newsletter provided ir,rormation about audio cassette tapes :e indexed" for quick
methods of adapting the home environment for use reference The cassettes contain use and care
by disabled people Designed fo,. use by disabled information, general cooking guidelines, and
homemakers and professionals working with them recipes

Preprimer Cooking or Cooking Techni es for the GE will send braille panels for microwaves Send
Blind, 2 volumes Sally Jones Ameri.lais Printing model and serial number of the appliance and
House for the Blind, Louisville, Kentucky 1978 kitchen plan requests to GE Consumer Relations,
GE, Appliance Park, Louisville, KY 40225 In ,
Rehabilitation Medicine Howard Rusk, M addition, a service technician will put braille-
Fourth edition C V Mosby Company 1977 style knobs on GE Hotpoint -anges and home laundry
$2850 Note chapters on Principles of Homemaking equipment free of charge for visually-impaired
and Housing consumers

Resources in Home Economics for the Blind Home-


maker, Rev Cooperative Extension Service,
1 Help is Available froai Manufacturers
Amherst, Massachusetts
A good source of help for modifying a major home
Running Your Own Home Royal National Institute appliance is its manufacturer If you do not have
for the Blind, London, England the address or telephone number of the company
which manufactured your appliance, write to
A Student's Notebook A Cooking Ma.. lel for Teen-
agers Who Like to Cook Eleanor Beissell Martin Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, IAHAM)
Kentucky 1977 20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
The Wheelchair Gourmet A Cookbook for the Dis-
abled Mary Blakeslee Beaufort Books, 9 E 40th
Street, New York, NY 10016 1981 102 riles
sptralbound $8 95

The Wheelcnair in the Kitchen Paralyzed Veterans


of America, Inc, 801 18th Street, NW, Washington,
DC 20006 1973

Audiovisuals

The Handicapped Homemaker Series New York Uni-


versity Medic!...1 Center, Learning Resources Faci-
lity, Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, NY,
New York Available from kehabfilm Rental Cata-
log, Rehabfilm, 20 We3t 40th Street, New York, NY
10018 16 mm color film, each *dm 28 minutes
long Rental $25 00/film 1971 Series includes
"The Homemakt. with Arthritis," "The Homemaker
with Incoordination," "The Homc.naker with the Use
of One Arm," "The Homemaker with Weak Upper Extre-
mities."

The Homemaker with the Use of One Hand Station


K. Atlanta GA 30324 National Medical Audio-
Visual Center (Annex), M-2243-X 16mm color,
sound, 28 minutes Free on short-term loan De-
scribes equipment, kitchen manning, and tech-
.." one-handeo cooking and kitchen work

61 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 61


TECHNOLOGY AT HGME

PERSONAL CARE Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department


of Education, Washington, DC 20201
Bowel Management Accent Special Publications,
Box 700, Bloomington, IL 61701 Clothing for the Handicapped, the Aged, and Other
People with Special Needs A Hoffman Charles
Disabled Eve Aids in Menstruation Disabled C Thomas, Publisher, 2600 South First Street,
Living Foundation, 346 Kensington High Street, Springfield, IL 62717 176 pages $1475 1979
London, W14 8NS ENGLAND A comprehensive volume providing information on
all aspects of clothing needs of the physically
Personal Care Equipment for the Disabled Series, disabled, aged, chrom..ally ill, and mentally
Oxford Regional Health Authority, 2 Foredown retarded Included are psychological aspects,
Drive, Posts lade, Brighton BN4 2BB ENGLAND selection and adaptation of cloth' g, and sources
Lists and describes, with photographs, personal of specially designed .:lothing
care aids for disabled persons Covers categories
such as grooming, bathinr., toilets, incontinence Clothing for Handicapped Fi'eoWe An Annotated
and pressure sore prevention Discusses do-it- Bibilograkh_y and Resource List Naomi Reich
yourself maerials and includes a section on prob- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Ser-
lem solving vice, Tucson, Arizona 85721 Also distributed by
the President's Committee on Employment of the
A Step by Step Guide to Personal Management for Handicapped, Washington, DC 20210
Blind Persons American Foundation for the Blind,
New York, NY 1974 The Cover-up Neckware for the Lay_ngectomee and
Other Neck-Breather Dan H Kelly arid Peggy Wel-
born College-Hill Press, 4580 E Alvarado Canyon
CLOTHING Road, San Diego, CA 92123 98 pages $1500
1980
Clothing For Handica_pped People An Annotated
Bibliography and Resource List Naomi Reich, Information Systems for Clothing and Daily Living
Patricia Otten, Marie Negri Carver University of Needs of Handicapped People N Reich, ° Otten
Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 Available from Pre- and J Mott Gniveisity of Arizona, Division of
sident's Committee on Employment of the Handi- Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design, School of
capped, Washington, DC 20210 1979 This book Home Economics, Tucson, AZ 85721 93 pages
is comprehensive, it seems to list everything $5 00 1980
related to clothing prior to its publication date
in 1979 If you are interested in any aspect of A Manual for Solving Clothing Problems for Persons
clothing, start with this book with Physical Disabil ties Kay Caddel, Route 8,
Box 12T2 Lubbock, TX 79407 $3 00 Describes
how to take body measurements of a dtsableo per-
Other Publications On Clothing son, to identify fitting problems and to adjust
patterns for home sewing
Thee have been pr,nted since 1979, and are there-
fore not in the above bibliography
SHOES
Accessit:a i-ashions S Voorhees and A Thompson
23 pages National Access Center, 1419 27th Cinderella of dos,on .,607 Canoga Avenue Lan-
Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 1981 Illus- Park, CA 91304 Cinderella Shoes specialize in
trated booklet addressing the psychological as- sizes 1 1/2 through 5
pects of clothing, fashion design alterations and
shopping patterns for persons with physical dis- Helen's Shoe Service, Route 4, Red Wing, MN 55066
abilities Resource listing is includad File of information and servir:e to individuals who
wear two differe size ;Flocs or only need one
Adapted Shirts to Fit Over a Halo Vest V 4, shoe Correspondence ccrried on between those who
Moiatz American Journal of Occupational Therapy, have available shoes and those wno need them to
#8, 524-525 1979 facilitate exchange

Clothes for Disabled People Maureen Goldsworthy Hill Brothers, 99 Ninth Stieet, Lynchburg, VA
B T Batsford, Ltd, North Pomfret, VT 05053 24504 Free catalog of hard-to-find ladies'
117 pages $1195 198' shoes Sizes 2 1/2 to 14, AAAA to EFE

Clothing and DRissing for Adults E R National Odd Shoe Exchange, 3100 Neilson Way, Apt
Editor Oxford Regional Health Authority, 2 Fore 220 Santa Monica, CA 90405 You send ycur name
down Drive, Posts lade, Brighton BN4 2BB ENGLAND in to seek a mismate with whom to exchange shoes
67 pages $11 05 1981 Booklet includes a Does not handle the shoes themse:ves, only names
variety of readily available clothes, a range of of people
patterns 'lowing different styles and features
which may provide ideas for the home seamstress, Jeanne L Sallman, Odd Shoe Exchange, RR4, Indian-
as well as various specially designed cloches and ola, IA 50125 $15 registration fee, plus annual
adaptations dues of $7 50

"Clothing for the Disabled" Rebel Brief, Feb-


ruary 27, 1981 Available from National Insti-
tute of Handicapped Research, Office of Special
7
62 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 62
TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

ARCHITECTURAL ADAPTATIONS

Access Information Bulletins, National Center for Board, Washington, DC 20202 Superintendent of
a Barrier Free Fnvironment, 1015 Fifteenth Street Documents, U S Government Printing Office Wash-
NW, Washing:ton, DC 20905 May, 1981 ington, DC 20202 1980
Accessibility Assistance A Directory of Consul- Tools for Accessibility A Selected List of
tants on Environments for Handicapped People Resources for Barrier Free Design National Center
National Center for a Barrier Free Environment, fur a Barrier Free Environment, 1015 Fifteenth
Washington, DC $3 25 1978 Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 May 1981
Barrier Free Design Equipment and Aids Catalog Wheelchair Bathrooms Paralized Veterans of Amer-
Michigan Center for a Barrier Free Environment, ica, Inc, 801 18th Street, Nv" Washer, -ion, DC
6879 Heather Heath, West Bloomfield Michigan 20006 1971
48033 1978 $5 00
Wheelchair House Designs Eastern Paralyzed
Design for Accessibility Robert James carenson, Veterans Association, 432 Park Avenue South, New
Architect McGraw Hill Book Company, New York York, NY 10016
NY 1979
Wheelchair Interiors Sharon Olson Diane Mere-
"Designing for the Handicapped" Better Homes and dith National Easter Seal Society, 2023 W Ogden
Gardens Budding Ideas Spring 1983 Issue Ave, Chicago, IL 60612 1973
$250 pp 97-111
Organizations
Design for Independent Living Raymond Lifchez
and Barbara Winslow Watson-Guptill Publications, Adaptive Environments Center
1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 1979 208 621 Huntington Avenue
pages $2500 (also available in softcover) Boston, MA
617/739-0088
Designing for the Disabled Selwyn Goldsmith
RIBA Publications, Ltd, 66 Portland Place, Lon- Architectural and Transportation Barriers
don, England 3rd tdition, 1976 525 pages, 478 Compliance Board (A&TBC81
diagrams $70 00 330 C Street SW
Room 1010 Switzer 3ullding
Home in a Wheelchair Joseph Chasm, Jules Salt- Washington, DC 20202
man, Editor Paralyzed Veterans of America, 801 202/245-1591
18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
National Center for a Barrier tree Environment
The House Book, 1974, 448 pages Terence Conran INCBFE)
New York, NY $30 00 Small concise section or 1015 Fifteenth Street NW #700
design ideas for the disabled and elderly Washington, DC
202/466-6896
Housing and Furniture Equipment for the Disabled
Series Oxford Regional Health Authority, 2 Fore-
down Drive, Postslade, Brighton, BN4 2BB, ENGLAND
Lists and describes, with photographs, adaptive
furniture and housing accommodations for physi-
cal!, disabled persons Covers categories ;u': as
ramps, handrails, doe. stairs and lifts, win-
dows, electrical fittings, beds, chairs, and other
furniture adaptations and accessories

Housing Interiors for the C Tabled and Elderly


Bettyann aschko Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York,
NY 1982 360 pages $34 50

Ideas for Making Your Home Accessible B Ga,ee,


editor Accent Spen.ial Publications, Cheever
Publishing, Inc, PO Box 700, Bloomington, IL
60701 1979 104 paces $6 50 Describes
architectural adaptations to make houses acces-
sible to people who use wheelchairs Discusses
costs, location, garage, entrance, general inter-
ior, kitchen, bathroom, livinc room, mobile homes,
ramps and lifts Lists sources of equipment and
devices, publications on accessibility, and ideas
about funding Illustrated with drawings and
photographs

Resource Guide to Literat ire on Barrier Free En-


v ronments with Selected Annotations Architec-
tural and Transportation Barriers Compliance

63 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 63


TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

MORE PUBLICATIONS ON AT -HOME TECHNOLOGY MO TECHNICMES

Access Lilly Bruck Consumers Unit Edition, Do It Yourself Again Self Help Crevices for the
Orangeburg, New York 10962 $550 Stroke Patient American Heart Association, 44 E
23ra Street, flow York, Ni 10010 iiei 47
Access The Guide to a Better Life for Disabled oases
Americans Lilly Bruck Random House, 201 East
50th Street, New York, New York 10022 1978 An Easier Way Handbook for the Elderly and Handi-
capped Jean V Sargent Iowa State University
Aids and Adaptations K P MacBain, editor The Press, Ames, Iowa 50011 1981 220 pages
Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society, 45 $10 50
Charles Street East, Toronto M4Y 1S3, Ontario,
CANADA $200 1975 Describes items which have Functional Aids for the Multiply Handicapper
been used successfully by patients in an occupa- Isabel Robinault Harper & Row, Hagerstown, MD
tional therapy department f), 1 contains draw- 1973
ings and instructions for self-help aids, and Part
II covers environmental adaptations Bathing, Getting Organized, Part II, Storage Stephanie
toileting, homemaking and ambulation or transfer Winston V'r ner Books, Inc, New York, New *I o.sc
are emphasized 1978

Aids and Appliances American Foundation for the Handicapped at Home Sydney Foott Quick Fox
Blind, 15 W 16th Street, New fork, NY 10011 Press, 33 West 60th Street, New York, NY 10023
21st ed, 1975-1976 34 pages, illustrations 1977 ?1 pages
$2 00 Various aids and home products (braille
globes, pressure cookers, etc) helpful to blind Help Yourselves A Handbook for Hemiplegics and
consumers are discuss j, and order information is Their Families Ian Henry Publications, 38 Park-
include° stone Avenue, Hornchurch, Essex, England 3rd
edition, 1979 161 pages
Aids Decision and Provision A Systematic Ap-
proach to the Selection of Assistive Devices for Helping the ./andtcapped A Guide to Aids Developed
the Disabled Person (2nd edition) Comr-iunity by the Telephone Pioneers of America Call Tele-
Occupational Therapy Association, 194 Wilson Ave- phone Company headquarters in your city and ask
nue #201, Toronto M5M 3A7 416/485-6384 $50 00 for the local chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of
1982 List and comparison of commercially avail- America Though many of the devices are for the
able wheelchairs, communication aids, self-help communication impaired, there are also sections on
devices, and guidelines for environmental access mobility aids, ADL equipment and toys

Aids to Independent Living Self-Help for the Home Security TimeLife Books Home Repair and
Handicapped Edward Lowman ane Juoith L Klinger Improvement Series Time-Life Books, Alexandria,
McGraw-HiK, New York, NY 10036 1969 796 Virginia 1979 136 pages $11 95 The section
pages $41 00 (Out of print) on accident-woofing a house includes 13 pages of
directions and sketches for diminishing the dan-
Aids to Make You Able Wendy Davis Fred Sam- gers of bathrooms and stairs Includes instal-
mons, Inc, Brookfield, IL 1979 114 pages lation of grab bars, creating a slip resistant
$6 95 surfa :e, adding a rail to a stairway wall, and
building an outdoor access ramp
Aids to Make You Ab,e Self Help Devices and
Ideas for the Disabled Beaufort Books, New York Housing and Home Services for the Disabled Guide-
1981 I.nes and Expenence3 in Independent Living Gin;
Laurie Harper & Row, 2350 Virginia Ave, Hagers-
Bathroom Facilities Accommodating the Physically town, MD 1977 434 pages $20 00
Disabled and the Aged Owens-Corning, c/o Fiber-
glas lower, Toledo, Ohio How To Create Interiors for the Disabled A guide-
book for family and friends Jane R Cary Ran-
The Bed and Bath Boos, 1973, 360 pag ,s dom House, 201 East 50th Street, New York, NY
The House Book. 1974, 448 pages 10022 1978 127 pages
The Kitchen Book, 1974, 360 pages
Terence Conran Crown Publishes, New York lb.dependent Living for the Handicapped and the
$30 00 each Small concise section in each book 'iderly Elizabeth May, Neva R Waggoner, and
on design ideas for the disabled and elderly Eleanor B Hotte Houghton Mifflin Company, 2
Park Street, Boston, Mass 02107 271 pages
Disabled" Yes Defeated' No Kathleen Crum $11 50 This book demonstrates ways in which work
Prentice-Hall, Inc, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 1982 simplificaton techniques used bv, industrial mana-
212 pages $6 95 Resource guide that includes gers may be applied to the home by handicapped
product information and do it yourself adapta- persons The care of young children by physically
tions Sections on ADL, housework, clothing limited parents and the design and adaptation of
clothing are covered It includes a bibliography
Devices for Visually Impaired Diabetics Alex H of over 400 citations classified by subject
Townsend Ament.an Foundation for the Blind, 15
West 16th St,eet, New York, NY 10011 1978 R Instructional Materials in Independent Living A
pages Bibliography B C Smith Materials Development
Center, Stout Vocational RehabditJtion Institute,

7,:;
64 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 64
TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI Other Resources


54751
More information useful to disabled people in
International Guide to Aids and Appliances for their hones is available from tticLe naticnal
Blind and Visually impaired Persons, 2nd edition orgar..zat.ons
American Foundation for the Blind, 15 W 1611
Street, New York. NY 10011 Printed by Pot City American Council of the Blind
Press, Baltimore MD 21208 255 pages This is 1221 Connecticut Avenue NW
a comprehensive gwde to more than 1 500 devices Washington, DC 20036
of 270 distributors in 28 countries 1 istings for 202/833-1251
each item Include name, manufacturer's -address,
price, availability, description (Out of print) Ame.g...m Foundation for the Blind
15 West 16th Street
It Isn't Always Easy But It's Possible T 0 New York. NY 10011
Lipton, Inc, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 1976 212/620-2000
A booklet that describes how to teach food prepar-
ation skills to blind people American Heart Association
7320 Greenville Avenue
The One Hander's Book. A Basic Guide to Activities Dallas, TX 75231
of Daily Livin_g Veronica Washam The John Day 214/750-5300
Co, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10024
Arthritis Foundation Inc
Physically Handicapped. Aids to Self-F'slp in Home- 13'4 Spring Street NW
making, Groorniag, and Clothing ES Hinshaw and Atlanta, GA 30309
D L Barrier Agricultural Extension Service, 404/872-7100
North Carolina State University at Raleigh, State
University Station, Raleigh, NC 27604 $0 25 National Easter Seal Society
2023 West Ogden Avenue
Product Inventory of Hardware, Equipment ani Ap- Chicago, IL 60612
pliances for Barrier Fr^a Design Second edition,
1981 National Handicap Housing Institute, 12 Paralyzed Veterans of America
South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402 801 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20420
Rehabilitation Engineering Sourcebook Institute 202/872-1300
for Information Studies, 200 Little Falls Street,
Suite 104, Falls Cnurch, VA 22046 1979 President's Commission on Employment of the
Handicapped
Rehabilitation for Independent Living A Selected Washington, DC 20402
Bibliography President's Committee on Employment
of the Handicapped, Washington, DC 20402 $4 50 United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Inc
66 East 34th Street
Self Help Manual for Arthritis Patients Judith New York, NY 10016
Lonnefeld Klinger Prepa-ed by the Allred Health 212/481-6300
Profession Section, Arthritis Foundation, 3400
Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1101, Atlanta, GA 30326
Available from Arthritis Fou-dation, 221 Park
Avenue South, New York, NY 10003 1974 $1 50

The Source Book for the Disabled Glorya Hale,


editor Paddington Press, Ltd Distributed by
Grosset & Dunlop, New York 1979

Therapeutic Devices, 1956-1976 J Bellman, et


al American Journal of Occupational Therapy,
American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc..
6000 Executive Blvd, Rockville, MD 20852 Do-
it-yourself instructions for devices which have
appeared in AJOT, includes wheelchair trays, ADL
devices, communication aids, etc 112 pp 1977

Toward Independence The Use of Instructional


Objectives in Teaching Daily Living Skills to the
Blind. Anne Yeardon American Foundation for the
Blind, New York, New York 1978

What You Can Do For Yourself HMIs for the Handi-


capped Patricia Galbraith Duke Publishers,
Inc, New York, fskw York 1974

You Can Do It From A Wheelchair A E Gilbert


Arlington House Publications, Jew Rochelle, New
York 1973

65 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 P5


TECHNOLOTY AT HOME

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES POR THE HOME

WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEM? sure which is somewhat fragile and may crack when
dropped When used in an apartment nouse, it is
"As a result of severe physical impairment, many possible for a controller in one apartment to
people are unable to perform tasks normally suited affect the modules in an adjacent apartment A
to able bodied people When operation of electri- wireless intercom system may cause spurious opera-
cal devices is desired, frequently the device or tion of the modules The system may also be
the method of operation can he adapted to fit the affected by a "noisy" line resulting from the
capabilities of the physically handicapped operation of a refrigerator or other motor driven
devices For this reason remotely controlled
An environmental control s,stem oermits a physi- devices or appliances should be set up so that
cally dilabled person to co.itrol his or her imme- problem situation!: cannot occur, for example I;
diate surroundings without assistance The person an unused heater has clothing draped over it and
becomes able, independently, to turn lights, radio is then turned on by remote control, a fire may
and television on and off, to answer or 'r, 'late result
telephone calls and , unlock a door Virtually
any aspect of the en, snment can be controlled "It is not recommended that life supporting equip-
depending upon the complexity of the system used ment be controlled from these systems All ap-
A variety of switches ensures that the equipment pliances should be unplugged from their modules
can be operated easily regardless of the dis- when leaving for a vacation"
ability The objective is to use modern tech-
nology to enable physically disabled people to * Two of these systems are the System X-10, BSR
gain greater personal independence, a better qua- (USA) Ltd, Blauvc...t NY 10903, and the Home
lity of life and to add a new dimension to the Control System, Leviton Manufacturing Co, Inc,
rehabilitation process Consumer Products Division, 59-25 Little Neck
Parkway, Little Neck, New York 1:262
"The technical components of an environmental
control system are the switch, the control box, from A Know-How Manual on Electricity for the
thr feedback information display, and the ap- Severely_Disabled and their Families, pp 100-102
pliances to be controlled The complett environ-
mental control system also includes the disabled A Know-How Manual on Ele;tricity for the Severely
person and the environment over which he/she is Disabled and their Families A Auchincloss and
able to exe cise control" M Youdin nstitute of Rehabilitation M..tdicine,
New York Uni eersity Medical Center Rehabilita-
from Independence through Environmental Control tion Monograpi No 65 115 pages, $12 00
Systems, Canauian Rehabilitation Courcil for the
Uisabled, 1 Younge St Toronto M5E 1E8, CANADA "This book has been written to provide enough
information for she severely handicapped and their
For devices which assist a blind or deaf person to families so that sensible and economically sound
control his /her environment, see St.nsory Aids in choices can be made concerning the electrical
CONTROL, commutoc.4.n0N & SENSORY AIDS assishve systems that will give the greatest
independence and improved life style for the dis-
abled persons
HOME CONTROL SYSTEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN ADAPTED
TO THE NEEDS OF THE SEVERELY DISABLED "Severely disabled pe-sons may not have the physi-
cal function to perform the operations necessary
"New environmental control systems for the severe- to do minor electrical work in the home With
ly disabled which have become popular utilize a some knowledge about the electrical systems in
controller (energized from a 110 volt outlet) their house or apartment, they can ask and help
which transmits push-button commands over the instruct a family member to make simple repairs
house wiring to appliance modules which are also Or, they may decide that professional help is
plugged into 110 volt outlets The controller necessary
module systems* were originally developed for borne
use by the general public and requ re no special "This book atteir,!s to answer most usual questions
home installation or wiring These systems have that people ask about their electn :al systems It
now been adapted for use by sev' -ely disabled also describes various options that a disabled
persons through the use of rocker. 'puff' and person or his family may choose in order to make
'sip' switches, or other low form switches his home safer and more convenient And finally,
it describes some basic devices and resources that
"The controller-module systems have the advantage are particularly useful for those with disability
of low cost The following prices are all appro-
ximate and as of July 1982 Modules $17 00 to "This book also emphasizes safety regulations and
$2000 each, four-function controller $116 00, precautions both for patients and for those who
eight-function controller $136 00, rocker lever are making simple repairs Some of the informa-
switch $43 00, 'puff' and 'sip' pneumatic switch tion presented can be found in other "how-to'
$90 00 electrical books It is re-stated in laymen's
language to give the reader a sourca of informa-
"A few words of caution in the utilization of home tion that is directed specifically to the handi-
controller systems "Care must be taken in the capped and their families"
h.indling of the molded plastic controller enclo-

66
u
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 66
TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

HOME ACCESS AND MODIFICATIONS

Jim Tobias
Rehabilitation Engineering Volunteer (REV) Network

FUNCTION I DEVICE I COST I NOTES

ENVIRONMENTAL BSR "X-10 Standard 1$50-$120 Available in several models 16-appliance master
CONTROL control or ultrasonic remote control with small.
push-buttons similar to a calculator, and mini-
controller for 4 appliances. larger and easier
buttons Both .ersions have bright and dim fun:-
bons for lights You need one master and as m any
modules as appliances as you want to control
(see Note 2) Modules to replace wall switches (for overhead
lights) are available Sold as "Plug n' Power"
"Home Controller"

BSR X-.; Modified $160- Can control four or eight devices (2 models)
$240 Good rocker-type switch, 4-device master, 3 nod-
ules, $190 With 8-device master, $210 .1:.6er
switches, such as sip-and-puff, can be u ied They
require a 5 -pin DIN plus Contact BSR or REV Net-
work or wiring information Available at some
medical houses, Prentke-Romich. or 8SR, Rt3 303.
Blauvelt, New York 109 13, phone (914)358-6060

Touchplate Switch $20/kit Available from Heath -Kit (see phone for local
store) or other electronics sources Relatively
easy to build with solder.sg iron, a few tools
Plug appliance into switch box, plug switch box
into wall Current limits are

Lamps & Heaters = 300 watts


TV Receivers = 225 watts
Fans, Blowers, etc = 180 watts

Small metal disk can be placed anywhere, requires


just a light touch to turn device on or off Can
use more than one in the same dwelling Not
recommended for radios and some stereos, due to
audio interference

Whistle Switch $20 Available from electronics or some department


stores, also Carol Wright Gifts. Box 8502 Lincoln,
NB 68544, or Nei! P n Co, Box 132, Jackson.
MO 63755 As above, plug appliance into wall
Tran-mitter is really squeeze whistle Device may
triggered accidentally by Jangling keys doe
whistle, etc Only one per room Do not use with
a dog in the house

Computer environ- $100- All brands of home computers now offer plug-in
mental controls $400 peripherals designed to work the BSR modules
described above IC you use a computer already,
this may be an inexpensive way to go Cap . -off
low-cost computers can also be found as donations
Some software is avaikbie to make these easy to
use See Trace Center's International Software/
Hardware Registry Contact REV Network for sugges-
tions and software help
TELEPHONE Various Dealers $40-$120 Aany electronic outlets offer automatic dialers,
which can store 5-40 commonly used phone numbers,
recalled and dialed automatically Some can repeat
dial if there is a busy signal, some are complete
with telephone handsets and touch-tone pads
41 Radio Shack sells ore for 16 numbers for $50 00

67 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1984 67


TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

1
I FUNCTION DEVICE I COST I NOTES
1

I TELEPHONE, Suggestion Check all local stores and try them all
cont out, don't buy more storage than you really need

Phone Directories $6-$25 Stationary stores, Radio Shack sell motorized


personal phone directories that can hold several
hundred names and addresses, they operate by push-
button to either scroll or flip pages like a
Rolodex Perfect for other uses, such as work-
place modifications

Amplifiers $10-$150 "Speaker phones" can be obtained from the telephone


company, and many electronics stores sell them
Depending on your set-up, an inexpensive model may
work Beware of feedback and loud background
noise, try them out if you can Panasonic makes
attractive model for about $100

Cordless Telephones $50-$200 These are mobile phones with a stationary base
unit You can mount the portable part on your
wheelchair for hands-free private conversation (an
advantage over speaker phones) Find a model with
a hand-up/lift-up sw.ich you can use, or modify It
Prices of the models are indicative of reliability,
range, and resistance to snterference Beware of
the cheapest ones (See warning on cordless phones)

Visual Phone $20 Radio Shack offers a "Fo- Flasher' which lets you
you connect a lamp (or wl jtever) to your phone
line such that wh n your pho ie rings, the lamp

TELEVISION Mechanical Channel $17 This is a mechanical device that ,Itaches to the
Selector stem of the channel knob A long cable like the
one on a bicycle brake runs to a hand-held unit
that has a rotary lever To operate, you turn the
lever, it takes a good amount of force It would
be possible to extend the lever arm to rn.nimize
force required Aiiother disadvantage is having
the cable lying around and getting in the way No
permanent modificatiGo to the TV, and you can move
it from one set to another Available from Star-
crest of California, 3159 Reuhill Avenue, Costa
Mesa, California 92626 Get their catalog before
you order, or ccntact manufacture RAMCO, 7271 N
Cicero, Lincolnwood, Illinois 60646
ELEVISION, Electronic Channel $60-$120 Available in at least two models from Jerrold,
cont I Selector should be at your local TV repair or specialty
store Both models are remote-wired push-button
channel changers, one for standard broadcast, the
other for cable Easy to install You ca put the
box wherever you want it Buttons are relatively
stiff No commercially available keyguards

UNLOCKING Electric Door Lock Available through average lock shop Manufacturer
DOOR is Trine Company Many models ava'able

1 Electric Strike $25-$30 If you are installing it yours "JU will n, 1


good tools and good measurements Lock shop will
charge $7 50 to install It

2 Transformer
12 VAC, 1 amp $10 I Should be enclosed it chassis box and equipped wit h
a 2 amp fuse (sit:, ,w)

68 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1934 68


TECHNOLOGY AT NOME

I FUNCTION DEVICE COST I NOTES

UNLOCKING 3 Radio Control $40-S90 I Generally, the more expensive ones have more codes
I 006ri on the transmitter for more security sears
I cont I 9areff- door kits cost $75 00 for transmitter and
I receiver (See Note 11

NOTE 1 Test transmitter and receiver before Special location schools


mounting Be sure user can operate transmitter CompLter user groups
button, or modify it with a big plast c plate,
etc Mount the receiver near the door User can Remember, with all of these people, make sure you
pre lably push door easily, make sure he/she can define the problem and keep 'abs on their designs
pull door (as is, with a door knob strap, or These little gadgets should be cheap, unbreakable,
convenient pulley arrangement' attractive, and useful Only the user can guaran-
tee use Often people doing a project as a hobby
NOTE 2 Some disabled people may be able to use want to experiment with components and devices for
the standard models, with or without s keyguard their own amusement That's okay, but it
(not commercially available) Modified desig has shouldn't get in the way of the service you are
no ultrasonic remote control 'These devices are requesting
,iteApensive, but they have some drawbacks limited
current (no heaters or air conditioners, for ex- If yo' turn up a "live one, someone competent and
ample) interference (from wireless intercoms, attuned to the user's needs, cultivate them Also,
heavy motors, etc), but they are easy to install have them contact us for Information exchangt,
and change, since they plug into the wall outlets
Jim Tobias
Rehaoolitation Engineering Volunt,fer (REV)
GENERAL INFORMATION Network
201 W 85th Street #2E
Knobs Sometim-- all you need is a big knob to New York, New York 10024
fit the samo control stem Most TV and radio 212/874-0312
repair shops have a box of junk for this Jld
knob-, plastic parts, etc Bring y .,..r knob to
ensue a match in sizes If that doesn't work, Alsi see sections on CON I ROL, COMMUNICATION,
glue or screw an extender arm onto the knob 1,aCROCOMPUTEP APPLICATIONS

Switches Toogle rvitches can . adapted with a


short length of stiff plast or metal tubing to
add leverage You may have to replace the switch,
however Ma' e sure you get on that maiches the
chassis hole size, current limit, number of poles,
type of activation, etc Ask for help at an
eiectronic store

Pushbuttons A small pushbutton can be adapted by


using a flat lever over the button to make a
bigger "target", or by 3Iung oi, a slightly larger
plastic plate, or by putting a sort of keygearJ on
the chassis if the prob'em is hitting more tnan
one button at a time Otherwise, you may have to
replace the button with a bigger or softer-action
one See above for matt hang information

Where To Got Help

Put up a sign in an electronics shop


Trade unions (ask about retired workers
apprentices)
High school shop department
Telephone Pioneers 'tali telephone company
business office for their number!
Vocational schools,
Loca' technology companies (try the puble
relations office)
Colleges, especially ennineering ano industrial
design department.-

fj
TECHNOLOGY FOR 'WEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEISOOK RESNA 1954 69
TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

A CONSUMER ALERT was reported by Judy Berke in the WARNING ON CORDLESS TEL
f.piil 1984 issue of The Coordinator Magazine
The following warning on cordless telephones, by
Congressman Henry A Waxman, appeared in The Co-
nONCUMFR ALERT ordinator, April 1984
"We havJ received communiques from some readers porohle telephones should
"Users of cordless
tering us about repair problems in electronic always make certain that the pho,le lb in the
protection systems These are the systems in 'Talk' position before bringing the ohone to their
which a device either part of a "terminal" nr
ear Shoulo the phone cog while still in the
worn as a pendant signals a self-dialer to 'Listen' position, the u.,er may be exposed to an
connect into a hospital, Police station or centre extremely loud ring
computerized 'ffice or worn as a pendai
signals a self-dialer to connect into a hospital, "Some cordless phone users have complained that
police station or central computerized office the ring was so loud as to be painful Some
(The d_. ices car oe either ore or two way ) Most docters speculate that the ring might result in
of these systems seem quite valuable to the elder- some hearing loss
ly or infirm who spend a lot of 'me alone
"To file complaints or obtain additional inform t-
"However, it now seems that many of the systems
non, consumers should call the Consumer Product
are sold by ir,dependene operators In some of Safety Commission toll-free hotline at 1 800 -63R-
these cases, neither the bales person nor the for the hearing
CPSC The teletypewriter numb
parent company is taking true responsibility for impaired is 1-800-638-8270"
repairs, service and replacements of the system
although some of them offer what looks like a good Reprinted with permission from The :-.00rdinator
warranty until the customer needs to use it Magazine, 11417 Vanowen :;rreet, North Hollywood,
Then the complications begin CA 91605, 818/765-1575
"If you or any of your patients are contemplating
the le'se or purchase of one of these systems, ask
the following questions

1 Now long is the warranty, and does it cover


both labor and parts?
2 Whe, a will the repairs be made? If the
location is in another town, is postage or
shipping covered in the warranty'
3 Will the local rep peck up the machine for
mailing? (Sometimes it is difficult for a
patient or older persc n to get to a oost
office)
4 Will the rep or company supply a 'loaner'
while the system is being repaired?
5 Is reprogramming of the machine (usually
phone numbers) difficult? Can the consumer
do it? If a sery ce ep must reprogram, :an
it be done in the ht me or must the machine be
transferred somewhere else? If reprogramming
must be done by special equipment does the
local rep have that equipment? In either
case, again, if the machine will be out of
orc.:e for any amount of time, is there a
loaner?
6 If the representative ,,,ases to handle the
equipment, is there ,.nother representative in
the area who will take c:o er service?

"These questions arise ,ecause of past Toblems


some of our readers have had with servicing of
their protective systems Most of the systems wa
have seen seem to be of excellent quality, but
quality is also measured by ^,ervice reliaLilit
and cor7emer sa'ety Quality is certainly not
-directed Ism) if one is without the system
because of repair or reprogramming service prch-
lt.ms"
Reprinted with permission from The Coordinator
Magazine, 11417 Vanowen Street, North Hollywood,
CA 91605, 818/765-1575

70 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 70


TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

Somn Publications on Enviro 'mental Controls end AccossIbl 1-one Hardware

"Design Considerations for an Environment& Con- Natic.nal Handicap Housing Institute, Inc, 12 S
trol System for the Severely Handicapped R 6th Street, Suite 1216, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Block Proceedm.gs of the Seminar on Electronic 19d1 The section on Hardware (po 193-276)
Controls for the Severely Disabled, Vancouver, covers door levers, door and cabinet pulls,
BC, Canada, 1974 The Kinsmen Rehabilitation hinges, automatic doors, shelf brackets, grab
Foundation of British Columbia, 2256 W 12th Ave, bars
Vancouver, B C V6K 2N5, Canada

Design for Accessibility Equipment and Aids Film


Catalog, revised 1981 Michigan Center for a
Barrier Free Environment, 6879 Heather Heath, West The Box and I Canadian Rehabilitation Council
Bloomfield, MI 48033, $20 00 for the Disabled Available from Marlin Motion
Pictures, 1 Younge Street, Suite 2110, Toronto,
Design for Independent Living Raymond Lifchez 0,,tario M5E 1E8, Canada 16 mm color, 22 1/2
and Barbara Winslow Watson-Goon!! Publications, minutes 1978 Illustrates the arse and benefits
1515 Broadway, New York, NY 11036 1979 208 of environmental control units in various set-
pages $25 00 (also available in soft cover) tings

Environment& Control Systems ai J Vocational Aids


for Persons with High Level Quadri-plegia Insti-
tute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York 'Jr's-
versity Medi.al Center, Rehabilitation Engineering
Center, 400 E 34th Street, New Yor, NY 100,6
1979 Clinical evaluation of electronic devices

Home Security Time-Life Books Home Repair and


Improvement Series Time-Life Books, Alexandri.i,
Virginia 1979 136 pages $ i I yo the ..ection
on accident-proofing a house includes 13 pages of
directions and sketches for diminishing the r' n-
gers of bathrooms and stars Includes inst, J-
tion of grab bars, creatirj a slip resistant sur-
face, adding a rail to a stairway well, aid build-
ing an outdoor access ramp

Housing Interiors for the DIF -bled ,rod Elderly


Bettyann Raschko Von Nostrand Peinhold, New
York, NY 1982 360 pages $34 50

How to Build and Use Electronic Devices without


Frustration, Panic, Mountains of Money, or an
Engineering Degree Stuart A Hoenig Little,
Brown, & Company, Boson, Massachusetts 1Scst;

'low to Create Interiors for the Disabled A


Guideocok for Family and Friends Jane Randolph
Cary Pantheon 128 pages $5 95 1378

Independence Through Environmental Control Sys-


tems David Symington, et al Canadian Rehabili-
tation Counctl for the Disabled, 1 Younge St
Suite 2110, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1E8, CANADA 64
Pages

Instr Your Own Teleph,,,ies Reston Publishing


Coi.,pany, Reston, VA 1e8 pages Available from
local Radio Shack, $5 95 1983 Well-illus-
trated, step-by-step installation instructions
that are easy to read and understand

Man,a1 on Management of the Quadriplegic Upper


Extremity Available from Fred Sammons, 'lc,
Brookfield, Illinois 201 pages 1978 Inclu
a section on environmental control systems, wheel-
chair control systems and criteria for selection
of orthoses, controls and power sources

Product Inventory of Hardware, Equipment, :nd


Appliances for Barrier-Free Housing Desigr

71 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 71


TECHNOLOGY AT HOME

Environmental Control

Mouthstick and holder allow use of inexpensive general consumer marketplace


environmental control unit J3SR-10)

Drawing reprinted fr m A Guioe to Controls, Children's Hospital at Stanford

Home Access

Bracl,,t and transmitter al:oyi independent home entry, using ge-i.ge door
opener modified for front door use

Drawing reprinted front A Guido to Controls, Children's Hospital at


Stanford
,

77 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOL:ACV:100K RESNA 1984 72


Educational and
Vocational Techni)!ogy
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY 73

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM 75

INTRODUCTION 75
TECHNOLOGY SERVICE DELIVERY 75
PROJECT TEACH A MODEL PROGRAM 75
ORGANIZATIONS 76
RE-JOURCE CENTEP 77
EDUCATIONAL AIDS INFO RESOURCES 78
MANUFACTURERS 78
ORGANIZATIONS 78
DATABASES 78
RESOURCES 79

VOCATIONml EDUCATION 82

TECHNOLOGY AT THE WORKPLACE 85

INTRODUCTION 85
COSTS 85
WORKSTATION DESIGN 85
THREE CASE STUDIES 89
FARMING 90
A RESOURCE FOR DEVELOPING ACCESSIBLE JOBSITES 91
TECHNOLOGY FOR EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES 91
ORGANIZATIONS 91
GROUPS CONCERNED WITH COMPUTER EMPLOYMENT 92
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 99
PUBLICATIONS 99
PERI )DICALS 101
CATk'_OGS AND DIRECTORIES 102

74 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEDOOK 9ESNA 1984 74


TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSRM,N.

INTRODUCTION
that they become available to those persons who
Technical aids can be beneficial to students at could benefit from them To accomplish this goal,
all levels of the education process, from kinder- it is essential that all related disciplines
garten to post-secondary In the ex:sting litera- researchers, engine ors, educators, manufacturers,
ture, the emphasis for the elementary school child therapists, and medical personnel land pa,entsl
s'ems to be on find.ng the most as aid coordinate their efforts on a statewide and
for communication, positioning, mobility id national basis"
self-care A good deal of the lite, ature focuses Assistive Devices for Handicapped Students A
on the most severely disabled children, and the Model and Guild for a Statewide Delivery System,
emphasis tends to be on personal aids for the 1980 National Association of State Directors of
individual child As the high schr o: years are Special Education, 1201 16th Street NW #610E,
reached, and it IF assumed that bziv.s needs are Washington. DC 20036
met, the approach changes to finding technology to
make the classroom useable for the disabled teen- ARE WE LOOKING FOR PROOLEMS7
ager This same orientation holds through :Le
college years, with increase emphasis on r. ,king Joseph J Stowitschek adds voice of concern ,n
the entire campus accessible the forward to that issue

This section cor Lams references to all three "As we develop technology, we must continue to ask
stages I' is hooeo that those seeking informa- ourselves Are we developing, testing, and using
tion about technoic 4y that can aid education will technology to solve problems? Or, heady with
look beyond their immediate target age range or enthusiasm, do we produce solutions fcr which we
disaoility There is benefit to be gained ir must the find problems? For instance, the
crossing disciplines You may find that you can growing interest in microcomputer assisted
readily apply much of this information to your own instruction may tend to foster the development of
Ilea of interest a solution for which a problem must then oe lo-
cated In this mood of enthusiasm over the 1E h-
There are some glaring gaps in the literature I nology itself, we t-nd to trea, each technologic
would like to find more information about adapting device as an entity in and of itself, ir. tead of
existing classrooms at the primary school level as part of a whole range of instructional options
and about approaches to meeting basic needs, such The questionable logic behind this tendency is as
as mobility and written communication, for the follows "The (microcomputer) is becoming popular
secondary school age group Additionally. there and can be used to teach We need assistance in
is a dearth of mormat,on about how devices could teaching ha..dicapped children, therefore, the
be better used by less severely disabled kids (microcomputer) should be used to teach
Attention to the benefit to be gained from ap- ) skills to ) children "
plying technology in all three areas relevant t Instructional alternatives should not be ignored"
education person, classroom, and campus
needs to occur throughout the education process, Technological Advances in Special Education. the
not one step at r time (editor) Winter 1984 ri;sue of Excei,i1,..nal Education Quar-
terly

TECHNOLOGY SERVICE rtELIVERY


PP1JECT TEACH: A MODEL APPROACH
for th s technology to be most beneficial, an
effectivit and coordinated delivery system of tech- "The provision of appropriate technical aids with--
nological services is essential The objective is in an educational setting can have a p-ofound
to assure that students in need of adaptive aids impact on improving the educational achievement
and equipment have access to them and are trained experienced by severely handicapped children In
in their most efficient use some cases, the support of technical services can
lead to the mainstreaming of children that other-
"In the past, a var:ety of agencies have bean wise would not be candidates
involved in sec iring assistive devices for handi-
capped children, ranging from Easter Seal "Technical aids can assist the handicapped child
Societies and the March of Dimes to service 'sibs to actively participate in the educational pro-
and others With the advent of federal and state gram Federal and state policy makers need to be
mandates and fuoding, university programs, hospi- made aware of the potential of technical resources
tals and rehabilitation centers, state and local to supplement the goals mandated by Public Law 94-
education ,,gencies, and regional resource centers 142 Education of the Handicapped Act so that
have also become concerned with service delivery these resources can be planned into budgetary
This has resulted it an increase in the avail- allocations for implementation in the future"
ability of services, but CY -, in a real concern
that such fragn,_ ,ted, piecemeal service might be Project TEACH (Technical Educational Aids for
neither corn -ahensi nor cost-effective Children with Handicaps) was a cooperative project
by Memphis city Schools Division of Special Educa-
"Although there have been significant technologi- tion and University of Tennessee Rehabilitation
cal advances in the development of as store de- Engineering Program that developed a model program
vices, there still remains the sk of ass Jong n for providing appropriate technical aids within a
regular educational setting in 1978-1981

75 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING souNcasook RESNA 19114 75


EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

be budgeted for this- ongoing maintenance and re-


The following summary comments on technical compo-
pair
nents of the project are taken from the final
report The full report is available for $5 00 from
Memph:s C:ty Scht-,0', 1.).v,s.2n of
'.ie orovision of technical aids, whether it be a bon, 253, Avery Avenue, Memphis, TN
commercially availahle device, a modified commer-
cial device, or a custom-designed device, should A movie about the project, 'A Special Magic," is
be preceded by a mult-disciplinary evaluation in
also available
which the abilities, potential, and needs of the
child are carefully defined Also sea Service Delivery Models, page 257, i, the
section on FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, 'TATISTICS
When attempting to meet the educational needs of
severely handicapped children, cor rnercial techni-
cal devices Gs the sole sour,a will rarely be
JRGANIZATIONS
sufficient to meet the wide rangmg needs of these
chi! lren Additional technical resources which
These groups have a particular interest in 0i3-
will permit the custom modification of commercial abled children and technology it the classroom
devices and/or the design of unique customized
devices will be necessary Artificial Language Laboratory
Department of Computer Science
The provision of specialized technology, upon Michigan State University
which the child ana the special educator become East Lansing, Michigan 48824
dependent, must be supplemented by a maintenance
512/332-1970
and repair capability that can rapidly respond to
malfunctions or breakdowns in LA) equipment
Assistivs Device Center
California Ste,te University-Sacramento
The more sophisticated the technology, the more
6000 J Street
essential the need for liaisor personnel to Sacramento, California 95813
explain the operation and features of the devices,
916/454-6916
aid pravide :mmediate support ,f :t appears V-z.
the "gadget tolerance" of the teacher or student
Children's Hospital at Stanford
is bung exceeded
Rehabilitation Engineering Center
520 Willow Road
That there be a person or persons within the
Palo Alto, California 94304
educational setting that have oeen assigned the 415/327-4800
responsibility for the ongoing evaluation, up-
dating, maintenance, trouble-shooting and liaison The Communication Aids and Systems Clinic
related to the technic-31 aids being used by child-
University of Wisconsin Madison
ren and teachers in the educational setting
1500 Highland Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin 53705
Lie on support be provided to facilitate the
603/263-7726
mainstreamin, OT children with specialized tech-
nical aids, especially during the critical periods Educational Technology renter (ETC)
when the child first enters the regular classroom
Box 64
Foszer, Rhode Island L_825
That the necessary arrangements be made, particu-
401/822-4622
larly related to seating, powered mobility, and
communication aids, so that a chi'd can benefit The Non-Oral Communication Center
from the devices during evenings, weekends, and
Pleven School
summer vacations; i e, so that the devices can
9675 Warner Avenue
truly become integrated into the child's total Fountain Valley, California 92708
activities
714/425-6220
That the most expe sive devices are not neceq- Ontario Crippled Children's Centre
sarily the most appropilate devices, i e, there
350 Rumsey Road
is linear relationship between cost and effec- Toronto, Ontario M4G 1 R8
tiveness When all factors are considered, the Canada
choice of the most appropriate aid is based on the
416/425 -6220
child's abilities, potential and needs, and not on
the potential offered by the features of a sophis-
PAM Assistance Centre
ticated device
601 W Maple Street
Larissa.% Michigan 48909
Since breakdowns with lengthy repair delays can
517/331-5897
severely interrupt and demoralize a student, dur-
ability of equipment should be a major considera-
Tufts University
tion during the evaluation and equipment selection Rehabilitation Engineering Center
process
171 Harrison Streot
Boston, Massachusetts
Routine maintenance and repair of technical de-
617/956-5036
vices is necessary for their proper functioning
Our experience indicates an additional 10% expense
above cost of provision of technical aids should
t.)U
76 T'ii,CtINOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCHOOK HESNA 1984 76
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

University of Tennessee
Rehabilitation Engineering Center
682 Court Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38183
901/528-6445

Also see Service Cs..ters in the sections on


Seating and Communication.

A RESOURCE CENTER AND DATABASE PROVIDING


EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL ACCESS TO TECHNICAL
FIELDS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

'Studs i with disabilities are underrepresented


in the holds of science and engineering. One
reason for this is a lack of information regarding
methods by which they can complete educational
programs (particularly involving laboratories) and
successfully complete careers. Specifically, in-
formation regarding adaptive equipment, altered
instructional formats and resources appropriate to
aiding students acrd faculty is not readily avail-
able to these people. All ton often, college
students with disabilities are advised against
entering specific fields or tair;ng certain classes
for fear their disability will present thorn from
full participation.

-Much of tnis situation is the result of 1) Per'


of knowledge regarding adaptive aids. and 2) the
failure to procure or develop/modify aids in time
for the student to access the class or the em-
ployee to meet job requirements. The irony and
indeed tragedy of this situation is that an abun-
dance of information on aids exists. Rehabilita-
tion professionals are virtually inundated with
information on new products from a variety of
sources. including conferences. wo4"tocs, com-
cuter fairs und expositions. With this informa-
tion explosion. the problem is one of information
storage and retrieval.

As a response to these Mt:Haire, we developed a


resource center, including a computer database.
that provides information helpful to disabled
individuals desiring to study science or engi-
neering."

From a paper by Helen E. Woodall and Albert M.


Cook in the i-roceedhji uoUlie Sixth Annual Con-
ference on Rehabilitation Engineenna, Tin Diego,
1983-

The database is now available to other institu-


tions and the general see ADDS in the
INFORMATION RESOURCES section. page 9.

7, TICHWILOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVIFKI SOURCEBOOK RONA 1884 77


EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

EDUCATIONAL AIDS INFORMATION RESOURCES

MANUFACTURERS OF CLASSROOM AIDS


severely handicapned are answered by TASIt's
For information on Manufacturers & Distributors of information Department TASH ITIOletaies a library
equipment for childrer and the 'assroorn, see of resource materials The Information Department
Able Data Information 5,stem also conducts surveys of integrated schools and
parant needs

ORGANIZATIONS
DATABASES AND INFORMATION NETWORKS
Council or Exceptional Children (CEC
1920 Association Drive These systems babe a strong educational focus
Reston, VA 22091 Fur mere information on these and other electronic
information exchanges, also see Information Re-
For more information on CEC, see the Microcomputer sources and on Microcomputer Applications
Applications section, page 243
The Assistive Device Database System (ADDS)
HEATH (Higher Education and the Handicapped) American International Data Search, Inc
Resource Center 2326 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Suite C
One Dupont Circle NW Sacramento, CA 941325
Washington, DC 20036 n16/925-4554
202/833-4707 (voice /TTY)
Handicapped Education Exchange (HEX)
The HEATH Resource Cen,,r is a national clearing- 11523 Charlton Drive
house on postsecondary education for disabled silver Spring, MD 20902
people A program of the American Council on 3e1/681-7372
Education it rs fuoded by the U S Department of
Education It publishes a regular newsle'ter HEX is a computerized bulletin board, available
through the public telephone network It is pri-
Natianal Association of State Directors of Special marily intended as a tree service to those in-
Erucation (NASDS7) volved in the education of, or communic-Itions
1201 16th Street NW, Suite 610E with, th.! handicapped HEX serves as a means of
Washington, DC 20036 exchanging ideas and information concerning appli-
cation of technology to aid the handicapped
Teci-nology and tOedia for 7.xceptional Individuals
Charles MacArthur, Membership Chair arson, TAM Handicapped Learner Materials Distribution Center
Institute ior the Study if Exceptional Children Audio-Visual Center, Indiana University
Department of Special Fcl ication Bloomington, IN 47405
University of Maryland 812/337-1511
College Park, MD 20742
The Handicapped Learner Materials Distribution
Technology and Media for Exceptional inaivrduals Center (HLMDC) is a part of the Special Materials
11 QM) is an international organization which faci- Project established by Indiana University HLMDC
lit tes closer relationships between educators and loans, free ,except for return postage) selected
or ers concerned with the application of techno- materials such as films, videotapes, k is. games
logy to meet the needs of gifted persons, senior and adaptive devices relevant to the general spe-
citizens and individuals experiencing handicaps cial education population Materials are divided
TAM, a division of the Council for Exceptional into three collections represented by separate
Children, will develop ne.v technologies and will catalogs 1) teacher training materials in special
disseminate this information th-ough professional education and media production (mostly of 16mm
meetings, training programs and publicatems the films), 2) handicapped learner collection (mostly
organization wi I uho cooperate with education classroom curricular materials, priniarily for
and goverrmen agencies as well as business and examination and evaluation), and 3) videotapes
industry in research, derminstration, review and that are duplicated into other formats at cost
validation, among other professional studies These services are avai'able to "one in the USA
involved with education a handicapped learner.
TAM will publish a journal and newsletter, conduct
training programs conferences and workshops SneaialNet
develop a new technology and media network II
also plans to evaluate and field test equipment ScecialNet, a special education communication
and software information network, is part ct a computer network
accessed by a terminal wit'i telephone communica-
The Association for the Severely Handicapped tion capability It provider; information on spe-
(TASH) cial education, improving programs and skills, and
1600 W Armory Way a network of er'iicators and organizations involved
Seattle, V.A 98119 in special education It also features personal
206/283-5055 corresponoence and information retrieval access to
major databases, as well as data collection and
Information and materials requests on all aspects n information management systems At least two of
of education and services for people who are sections of SpecialNet will be focused on tech-
nical aids EDUTECH and ASSISTIVE DEVICES

78 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 78


EDUCATIONAL. AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM RESOURCES


$6 95 Fron. Front Row Experience, ovary
Able Scientists -- Disabled Persons Biographical Bay Blvd , Byron, CA 94514-9454 41..., 034-571G
Sketches Illustrating Careers in the Sciences for Easy "how to" illustrated instructions for making
Able Disabled Students. S Phyllis Stearner and using simple, inexpensive, and effective per-
ceptual motor tight in the classroom
Foundation for Science and the Handicapped, 154
Juliet Court, Clarendon Hills, IL 60515 Preschool, elementary and special ed students make
312/323-4181. $12.95. The major objectives of and have fun using Pocket Parachutes, Zoomers,
this publication are to il:ustrate possible career Touchy Bags, Funny Feet, Handy Hands, Footsies,
Deck Rings, and i'n and or
options open to physically disabled students and
to encourage teacLers, counselor and parents to
help scientifically talented and disabled students Communication Outlook Quarterly publication
to get the education they need to prepare for Artificial Language Laboratory, Computer Science
scientific careers Department, Michigan State University. East
Lansing, MI 48b24
Accommodating the Disabled Student James
Mueller Job Development Lab, George Washington Creating an Accessible Campus Maggie Coons and
Margaret Milner Association of Physical Plant
University Rehabilitation R&T Center, 2300 Eye
Streat NW, Suite 714, Washington, DC 20037 Administrators of Universities and Colleges
$1000 1981 (APPAL. 11 Dupont Circle, Washington, DC 20036
$12 50 1979
Adaptive Equipment for the Handicapped Student A
Resource Manual Michigan Alliance of PHysical The Disabled Child Equipment for the Disabled
series National Fund for Research Into Crippling
and Occupational Therapists, c/o Wing Lake Center,
6490 Wing Lake Road, Birmingham, MI 480:0 Diseases, 2 Foredown Drive, Postslede, Brighton.
1982
Sussex BN4 2BB, England
$8 00.
Educational Products for the Exceptional Child
Aids for Handicapped Readers Reference and In- Shellie Roth, editor A catalog of products
formation Section, Division for the Blind and funded by the Bureau of Eaucation for the
Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Handicapped Oryx Press, Phoenix, AZ 987 pages
Washington, DC 20542 Free Devices and tech- 1981
niques for handlinj books, writing, and typing
Educators with Disabilities A Resource Guide
Aids to Independent Living Self-Help for the Joanne Gilmore, Diane Merchant and Ap Moore
Handicapped. Edward Lowman, MD and Judith American Association of Colleges for Teacher Edu-
Klinger, OTR McCraw-Hill Book Company, New York, cation (AACTE). One Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
NY 1969(Out of print, but usually available 20036 Available from U S Government Printing
in OT/PT departments) Office, Washington, DC 20402 1981

Aids for the Severely Handicapped K Copeland Environmental Design for Handicapped Children
Spector Publishing Co, Ltd, London, England J S Sandhu & H Hendricks-Jansen Gowar Pub-
1974 This book is often referred to, however, it lishing Co, Brookfield, VT Recommends improve-
is quite out of date ments in the environment of the child with severe
disability Discusses design criteria for archi-
Assistive Devices for Handicapped Students A tectural and environmental elements, and problems
Modal and Guide for a Statewide Delivery System of adapting existing facilities A separate sec-
,IASDE, 1201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 tion deals with "inflatable Appendices treat
2i pages $4.50 1980 design and construction o. worktables, mobiles,
cis Aplays. partitions, etc
Auxiliary Aids. A Resource Guide for Postsecondary
Schools, Rehabilitation Agencies, and Handicapped Fact Sheet Access to the Science Laboratory and
Individuals Office of Handicapped Concerns, Classroom M Zimmerman, M R Redden, S B
United States Education Department. Washington, DC Forman, Editors HEATH Resource Center, One
20202. Free 1980 Dupont Circle, Washington, DC 20036 Directed
tow trds disabled high school and college students
Bibliography of Children's Books About Disabili- science instructors, and college adrn.nistrators,
ties Pediatric Projects, Inc, PO Box 1399, this sheet provides advice and encouragement on
Santa Monica, CA 96406 No charge making the science lab and classroom acces,ble to
disabled students Includes examples of coping
Biology for the Blind Dorothy Tombaugh Avail- strategies, disability-related accommodations with
able from ERIC Document Reproduction Service, references, and selected resources
PO Box 190, Arlington, VA 22210 1973
Functional Aids for the Multiply Handicapped
Captioning Shared Perspectives Proceedings of a Isabel Robinault Medical Department, Harpe. &
National Captioning Conference, June. 1978 Row, Hagerstown, MD 1973
National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Rochester Institu- of Technology, Rochester, NY A Guide to Developing a Classroom Curriculum for
Available from National Technical Information Visually Impaired M rItihandicapned Infants
Services, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield VA Stocking Publisher, 1350 South Kostrie, Avenue,
1981 Chicago IL 60023

Clessroom-Made Movement Materials Tom Hall

79 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEIOOK RESNA 1984 79


EDUCAVIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Handicapped How Does It Feel Gregory La More the Human Resources School are presented To be
BL Winch & Assoc, 45 Hitching Post Dr, Rolling used in coord.iation with other volumes in the
Hills Estates, CA. 70 pp $595 1981 A program series on school design, transportation of dis-
for the classroom teacher to help able-bodied abled students, staffing, and curriculum and
students understand how it feels to be handl- instructional techniques Includes bibliography
cappad Written at second/third grade level in
large type with many pictures Section on how Modifying the Existing Campus Building for Access-
special equipment helps disabled children ibility Accessible Products Catalog, and
Construction Guidelines and specifications
Higher Education .ind the Handicapped Resource Stephen Richard Cotler Association of Physical
Directory HEATH Resource Center American Coun- Plant Administrators of Universities and Colleges
cil on Education, 0.16 Dupont Circle, Washington, (APPA), 11 Dupont Circle Washington, DC 20036
DC 20036 202/833-4707 (..on,-,'IDD) Free 1981
1982 Multi-Sensory Educational Aids from Scrap
Kendrick Coy Charles C Thomas, Publisher, 301-
Inexpensive Movement Materials Tom Hall Front 327 East Lawrence Avenue, Springfield, IL 62717
Row Experience, 540 Discovery Bay Blvd, Byron, CA 216 pages 1980 Describes learning tools for
95614 -9454 415/634-5710 $6 95 Follow-up to disabled children that can be developed by
Classroom-Made Movement Materials (listed above) parents, teachers, therapists and others at low
Includes all new movement materials that are nct cost from scrap or inexpensive materials Pat-
only inexpensive, but fun to use and easy to make terns and instructions arc included for language,
with simple illustrated instructions Guidebook mathematics, and science aids
is loaded with plenty of fun-filled illustrated
activities for Tilt-O-Board, Roll-O-Balance, Bat- Perceptual-Motor Development Equipment Inexpen-
ting Tees, Color Squares, Dexterity Rod, Flying sive Ideas and Activities Peter Howard Werner &
Foam Saucers, Isobands, and much, much more Lisa Rim John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 605 Third
Avenue, New York NY 10016 194 pages 1975
"How We Do It" Journal of College Science
Teaching National Science Teachers Associa, on Ready Willing and Disabled Norman Kunc
INSTAL 1742 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC Personal Library Publishers, Suite 439, 17 Queen
20009 Volume X No 6, May 1981 Street EEst, Toronto, Canada M5C 1F9 111 pages
$7 95 1981 Describes the process of inte-
Mainstreaming Practical Ideas for Educating grating a physically andicapped student into ie
Hearing-Impaired Students Milo E Bishop, Edi- regular school system Includes specific sugges-
tor Alexander Graham Bell Assn for the Deaf, tions for equipment and adaptations for classes in
Inc, 3417 Volta Place NW, Washington, DC 20007 math, social science, electives, etc Written by
$10 95 1979 a college youth with cerebral palsy who entered
mainstreamed programs at age 3
Management of Accessibility for Handicapped Stu-
dents in Higher Education David W Jacobson Rehabilitation Engineering Sourcebook Institute
National Association of College and University for Information Stud'es 400 N Washington Street,
Business Officers (NACUBO), One Dupont Circle, Falls Church, VA 22046
Washington, DC 20036 1981 Available from
U S Government Printing Office, Westin- 3ton, DC Science for the Handicapped An Annotated Biblio-
20402 graphy Ben T'nomoson, editor Science for the
Handicapped Ar-ociation Available from SMEAC
Materials and Aids for Special Education Danish Information Reference Center, Ohio State Univer-
Folk-School's Materials and Aids Research Centre, sity, 1200 Chambers Road, 3rd Floor, Columbus, OH
Herning, Denmark Also available from NARIC 43212 $350 1980
1982 Catalog of teaching materials and aids for
disabled students, including aids and machinery Special Education in Transition (No 2), Education
for learning solo-perforn ance aids, furniture and Hard of Hearing Children Mark Ross and Linda W
related accessories, domesti sciencr aids, school Nober, editors Alexandu Graham Bell Assn for
subject materials and training materials the Deaf, 3417 Volta Place NW, Washington, DC
Includes drawings 20007 128 pages $9 50 1981

Meeting the Needs of the Handicapped A Resource Special Technology for Special Children Computers
for Teachers and Librarians C H Thomas and J L to Serve CommuniLation and Autonomy in the EdLca-
Thomas, editors Oryx Prev' phoeiiii., AZ 440 tion of Handicapped Children E Pr I Goldenburg,
pages 1981 Ed D University Park Press, 300 N Charles
The Modification of Educational Equipment and Street, Ealtimore, MD 21201 183 pages $12 95
Curriculum for Maximum Utilization by Physically 1979 Emphasis is on how the computer can become
Disabled Persons Educational and School Equipment the tool of the china instead of the to& of the
for Physically Disabled Students Human f-i !sources teacher Instead of the computer being used as a
StiJcly Number 9 Human Resources Center, medium for a program designed by the teacher to
Albertson, NY 1967 Discusses non-limiting lead the child through a sequence of steps to
school equipment and attempts to provide guide- learn some desired behavior, this author views it
lines for modifying and selecting equipment that es a prosthetic medium through which the child can
presents nt. barriers or removes barriers for dis- explore A discussion of the use or the computer
abled students Examples from the experiences of languaie LOGC for exploration by handicapped
children is a mamor focus of the book
4.1

80 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCE1100t; AESNA 1104 80


EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Teaching Biology to Visually Handicapped Students


Resource Manual Kenneth S Ricker. Department
of Science Education, University of Georgia.
Athens. GA 30602. Free 1980

eaching Chemistry In tne Physicany Handi-


capped". Journal of Chemical Education American
Chemical 3e-,;,sty 58. No 3. March 1981 Avail-
able from: Subscription and Fulfillment Dept..
20th and Northampton Sts.. Fasten, PA 18042

Teaching Chemistry to Physically Handicapped Stu- 1


dents. Kenneth M Reese. editor American
Chemical Scwisty, Committee on the Handicenped,
1155 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 Free
1981

Teaching Physically Handicapped Children Methods


and Materials. Harold D Love. Charles C
Thomas. Publisher, 2600 S. First Street.
Springfield, IL 62717. 176 pages. $15.75.
1978. An imormational as well as a resource book
including chapters on disabling conditions, educa-
tional goals, and architectural barriers in
schools.

-Technological Advances in Special Educcion."


Exceptional Education Quarterly, Vol. 4. No. 4,
Winter 1984. James M Kauffman, Journal Editor;
Joseph J. Stowitschek. Issue Editor. This issue
offers an ..,rray of articles on technology applied
to special education. Some are devoted to the
problems that must be addressed in current and
future acplications of instructional technology;
some describe the use of technology to solve par-
ticular problems in educating handicapped persons;
and still others describe the coming generation of
technological devices for which the problem solu-
tion potential is only now being demonstrated.

Test Adaptatichis for the Handicapped. P Wassan


I Tynan and P Gardiner. Education Service
Center. Region 20, 1314 Hines Avenue. San Antonio.
TX 78209. August, 1982. Describes speciol adap-
tations for common assessment instruments (stan-
dardized tests); includes equipment which is use-
ful for test adaptation.

Tester g Physically Handicapped Students in


Science: A Sourcebook for Teachers. Harry G.
Lang, editor: Dean R. drown, Kenneth Ricker, E C.
Kellar, Jr Printech, 1125 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26505. $4.50. Numerous sugges-
tions are provided to assist in development and
administering teacher-developed tests in classes
having physically handicapped stuOents. Alt nough
specifical'y written for science teachers. the
tecomminidations are made by the authors to help
reduce testing bias are applicable to all areas of
the curriculum. Many suggestions are appropriate
for standardized testing as well.

Today's Hearing Impaired Child: Into the Main-


Priam of Education. Vora J. Froohlinger, Editor
and Co-Author. Alexander Graham Boll Assn for
the Deaf, 3417 Volta Flace NW, Was;dongton, DC
20007 240 pages. 114-95. 1981

See also sections On: SEATING. CONTROL


COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS. MICROCOM-
PUTER APPUCATIC4S. TOYS 1. GAMES
90
81 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT !WING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1984 81
EDUCATIONAL At..0 VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

capping conditions Each handicapped individual


The resources available in the field of vocational has their ow,f set of abilities and disabilities
and .ndustfial education are often overlooked both Hop-fully these plans rnav serve as a g.lide for the
by adult rehab personnel arid by special educators continued development of such apparatus for many
These resources span the transition zone between handicapped individuals
classroom and employment It stands to reason
that if an equipment modification was needed to "While, planning, constructing and testing these
train a disabled student in shop, the same adapta- apparatus the following factors were kept in mind
tion may be needed on the job Some of the tech- A Safety of use
nical aids, adaptations and approaches that are B Simplicity
useful at work may also be beneficial in school C. `idallability of materials
(and vice versa) Hopefully, exposure to t',e D Expense
realm of vocational education will draw os closer E Ease of construction
tc vocational goals, then the isition will be F Not to restrict the use of Dols and
complete equipment by the non-handicapped
Publications from the Vocational Studies Center "Each of the items is complete with an ortho-
(Publications Unit, University of Wisconsin- graphic drawing, an isometric illustration, and a
Madison, 964 Educational Sciences Building, 1025 bill of materials It should be noted that dimen-
W Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53706, phone sions may need to be changed to fit particular
608/263-4357) have found their way into "rehab" by pieces of equipment
the force of aggressive marketing

Tools, Equipment & Machinery Adapted for the Voca-


tional Education & Employment of Handicapped
People The original guide to modified tools, Special Needs Education Material for Vocational
containing descriptions and illustrations of 283 and Industrial Education is a tour-part eenes
products modified for use by handicapped people in Apparatus Plan Book, Bibliography, Plznning Guide
vocational education and employment Cross- for Vocational Area Teak-hers, and Classroom
referenced by disability and by vocational area Teachers Handbook Part of the bibliography is
787 pages 1981 $33 00 included here
Tools, Equipment & Machinery A New Catalog Sup- "The pui pose of this bibliography is to present
plement Adapted for thc Vocational Education & references pertinent to Special-Needs-- Main-
Employment of Handicapped People The supplement streaming Topics In particular, this listing
contains descriptions and illustrations of 231 reflects he effects of tibi.0 L3`... 94-142 n the
products modified for use in educating and various disciplines of vocational education and
employing handicapped people There are no dupli- related topics by presenting material published
cations from the original Tools (described above), since the law's passage in 1975 Selected earlier
but 671 pages of all new, modified products A references were included when determined to be of
valuable guide for employers, consumers, voca- particular value
tional and special needs educatois 1983 $32 00
"Resources examined include
Others, such es Specs. Needs Education Material
for Vocational and Education (see "Applied Science and Technology Index
below) are not as easy to locate (This book is, Buswess Periodicals Index
however, cited in Tools, Equipment & Mach emery Current Index to Journals in Education
Dissertation Abstracts International
Special Needs Education Material for Vocational Education Index
and Industrial Education Apparatus Plan Book M inthly Catalog to United States Government
Kenneth L Bruwelheide, Project Director Depart- Publications
ment of Agricultural and Industrial Education, Montnly Checklist of State Fublications
Montana State University, and Montana State Office Public Affairs Information Service
of Public Instruction, Vocational Education, Resources In Education (including an ERIC
Helena, Montana 1981 "This planbook is a co'- database search)
lection of technical drawings, illustrations, and Resources in Vocational Education
bills of material of apparatus developed to assist Social Sciences Index
the physically handicapped while working in a State Education Journal Index
vocational area laboratory/shop setting Most Subject Guide to Books in Print
apparatus are designed as retrofit items to be
Aaced on, or added to, existing commercial wood- "This bibliography is compiled in an effort to
working and metal working tools and equipment assemble as many sources and references reiated to
mainstreaming as possible, it should not be con-
"Safety and proper tool usage was a prime con- sidered complete or comprehensive Citations have
sideration while developing these apparatus not been systematically evaluated, and no implica-
Every effort was made to preserve correct :.-pera- tions regarding quality of materials should be
tional procedures drawn
"It is noted that these apparatus will not solve
machine/tool ope-ation ditficulties for all handl-

82 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOO:'_ rtEFMA 1984 82


EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

"Since the first edition of this bibliography was tiveness" Physiology in the Schools, 17, January
comp.led in May of 1980, there has been an explo- 1560 pages 128-134
sion of printed material an the sub;ect of main-
streaming Thus, the above resources have again Hull M E & Eddy, W "Teaching Special Needs
been searched and the findings have been incorpor- Students Instructional Materials" Industrial
ated to form this second edition" Education, 66, November 1977, pages 21-22

The section on "Adaptive Equipment, Materials and Illinois State Board of Education Accessibility
Facilities" has the following references to Laboratories and Equipment for the Physically
Handicapped A Handbook for Vocational Education
B Places and Spaces Facility Planning Personnel Springfield, Illinois 1981
for Handicapped Children Council for Exceptional
Children, Reston, VA ERIC Document Reproduction Johnson, A B & Fiscus. E D "Media and Main-
Service No ED 123 838 1976 streaming Partners in Providing Apprc priate Edu-
cation for the Handicapped" Educational Tech-
Asher, J, & Asher, J "How to Accommodate Work- nology, 20, Decernte, 1980, pages ;5-17
ers in Wheelchairs" Job Safety and Health, 4,
October, 1976, pages 30-35 Kelley, C H The Deveiopment of Individualized
Supportive Services for Physically and Sensorially
"Barrier Free Site Design" Yearbook of Special Limited Adults at a Post-Secondary Area Vocational
Education, 3, 1977-1978, pages 301-333 School Final Report Department of Health.
Education & Welfare, Washington, DC ERIC Docu-
Birch, J W E. Johnstone, B K Designing Schools ment Reproduction Service No ED 146 345 1977
and Schooling for the Handicapped A Guide to the
Dynamic Interaction of Space, Instructional Kliment, S A Into the Mainstream A Syllabus for
Materials, Facilities, Educational Objectives and a Barrier -Free Environment U S Government
Teaching Methods C C Thomas, Springfield, IL Printing Office, Washington, DC 1976
1975
Lance, W D "Technology and Media for Exceptional
Bland, E, et al inability, Usability and Learners Looking Ahead Exceptional Children,
Desirability of Instruction Materials and Media 44, October 1977, pages 92-97
for Minority Handicapped Students" Journal of
Special Education, 13, Summer 1979, pages 157-167 Leo, R J "Access for Handicapped Students and
Employes" Journal of the College and University
Brown, R N Development of curriculum for a non- Personnel Association, 28, Spring 1977, pages 1-5
traditional machine tool technology program ac-
cessible to the physically handicapped Chabot "Living and Learping Aids High Technology and
College, South County Community College District, Home Remedies, Symposium" Exceptional Parent. 9,
Hayward, CA 1979 February 1979, pages Al -A17

"Building Vv tl-lut Barriers Occupational Center of Litton, F W & Kay, R S "Annotated Bibliography
Union County, Roselle, New Jersey" American of low Cost Vocationally Oriented Materials for
School and University, July, 1978, paves 22-23 Adolescent and Young Adult Mildly Handicapped and
Disadvantaged Individuals" Journal for Voca-
Cohen. U. et at Mainstreaming Handicapped tional Special Needs Education, 2(2), 1980, pages
Children Beyond Barrier-Free Design University 13-17
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Architecture and
Urban Planning, Milwaukee, Wisconsin ERIC Docu- Litton, F W. et al (Comps I "Materials for
ment Reproduction Service No ED 188 374 1979 Educating Nonhandicapped Students About Their
Handicapped Peers" Teaching Excep,ional
Cooper, N E. "Vocational Reintegration of Handi- Children, 13, Fall 1980, pages 39-43
capped Wqrkers with Assi:_five Devices" Inter-
national Labor Review, 115,1977, pages 343-352 Mainzer, R, et al A Resource Manual for Program
Developers Level 1 Maryland State Department
Corley, J "Breaking Down the Barriers" Florida of Education, Office of Special Education,
Vocational Journal, 3451,1978, pages 20-23 Baltimore, Maryland ERIC Document Reproduction
Service No ED 193 816 1980
Ersing, W F "Guicielines for Designing Barrier-
Free Facilities" Journal of Physical Education McCormack, J E "The Assessment Tool That Meets
and Recreation, 49, October 1978, pages 65-67 Your Needs The One You Construct" Teaching
Exceptional Children, 8,1976, pages 106-109
Franks, F L. & Butterfield, L H "Educational
Materials Development in Primary Scienc' Simple "Modifying Facilities at Minimum Cost to Meet the
Machines." Education of the Visually Handicapped, Needs of the Handicapped" College and Univer-
9, Summer 1977, pages 51-55 sity, 54, Summer 1979, pages 292-293

Goodman, L "Meeting Children's Needs Through Nuce, DE "Technology and Spe':ial Education"
Materials Modification" Teaching Exceptional Man /Society /Technology, 39, February 1980, pages
Children, 10, Spring 1978, pages 92-94 18-19

Graham, S, et al "Educational Personnel's Per- Petrie, J A Media and Mainstreaming An Anno-


ceptions of Mainstreaming and Resource Room Effefp..... tated Bibliography and Related Resources ERIC

83 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVINC 30UNCEBOOK RESNA 1954 83


EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Clearinghouse on Information Resources, Syracuse,


NY. ERIC Document Reproduction Service No ED 190
130 1979

Physically Handicapped Adaptive Aids and Equip-


ment/Communication Systems/Architectural Design A
Selected Bibliography Council for Exceptional
Children, Reston, VA 1981

Redden, M R. (Ed) "Assuring Access for the Han-


dicapped Symposium" New Directions for Hi)he-
Education, No 25, 1979, pages 1-117

Rieth, H J & Semmel, M I "The Use of P'_' icrocom-


puter Technology to Prepare and Enable Teachers to
Meet the Education& Needs of Handicapped
Children Teacher Education and Special Educe
tion, 912, 1979, pages 56-60

Russo, J R "Mainstreaming Handicapped Students


Are Your Facilities Suitable? Physically Disabled
Students" American School and University, 47,
October 1974, pages 25-33

Schwartz, S E Architectural Considerations for a


Barrier-Free Environment University of Florida,
College of Education, Gainesville, FL ERIC Docu-
ment Reproduction Service No ED 153 048 1977

Seaman, J "Adapted Recreation and Equipment


Exceptional Parent, 9, April 1979, pages R12-R13
9, June 1979, pages 51+

Speece, D L & Mandell, C J "Resource Room Sup-


port Services for Regular Teachers" Learning
Disability Quarterly, 311), 1980, pages 49-53

Steinfeld, E "Barrier-Free Design Begins to


React to Legislation Research" Architectural
Record, 165, March 1979, pages 69+

Tennessee School Planning Lab Planning Facili-


ties for Physically Handicapped Children Fifth
Annual Conference Report University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, TN ERIC Document Reproduc-
tion Service No ED 102 763 1974

"Typing for the Handicapped Methods and


Materials" Business Education World, 59(1),
1978, pages 3-5

Venr, J, et at "Checklists for Evaluating the


Fit and Function of Orthoses, Prostheses and
Wheelchairs in the Classroom" Teaching Excep-
tional Children, 11, Winter 1979, pages 51-56

Wilhoyte, C H "Contracting A Bridge Between the


Classroom and Resource Room" Reading Teacher,
30, 1977, pages 376-378

Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Building


Needs for the Handicapped Bureau of Elementary
and Secondary Education IDHEW), Washington, DC
ERIC Document Reproduction Service No ED 140 535
1975

Zimmerman, M D "Technology for the Handicapped"


Machine Design, 50, November 9, 1978, pages 24-
26+

84 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEFENOrNT (IVING SOURCESOOK RESIN 1984 Fat


EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY AT THE WORKPLACE

INTRODUCTION WORKSTATION DESIGN

"Appropriate technology for the workplace becomes Samuel R Moyer land


an issue when a disabled person takes a new job or Southwest Research Institute
when a person becomes disabled and returns to an San Antonio, T "xas
old job Questions are often raised about appro-
priate technology and cost-effectiveness when A. INTRODUCTION
considering job site modifications and the use of
adapted equipment." In the Third Wave, Alvin Toeffler predicts that,
in tha future, the "electronic cottage' will en-
Dr Nancy Crewe lists seven criteria or success- able people to remain at home while on the job
ful job site modifications for handicapped Electronic communication and materials handling
workers Each criterion asks a question or series systems will nullify the need for co-workers to be
of questions which, if answered correctly, can housed under the same roof Indeed, recent trends
create a successful job site adaptation to help a in production assembly lines and office archtec-
worker become more productive The seven 'riteria tore toward flexibility in spatial arrangement and
and some related questions are furnishings tends to support his forecast Modu-
lar offices are being created so that a work area
Function- Will the adaptation meet the need? can be easily rearranged to suit the needs of a
Will it to what is expected of it? specific worker and his job description By
quickly interchanging modular components, a work
AdQptabiiity- Will the modification impair area can be expanded or contracted and changed
the usefulness of equipment for nondiabled from a drafting area to a secretarial area to an
co-workers" What are the attitudes c co- electronics assembly area to a recreational area
workers toward the adaptation' A great deal of research and innovative design has
gone into these new concepts
Availability Can the equipment be obtained?
Can it be manufactured easily" But, at present, most offices are fixed by rigid
walls, heavy file cabinets, and twin pedestal
Cost How much does it cost" Can the money desks Manufacturing areas have rigid piping,
be found to pay for it" Is it cost- bolted down workbenches, and crowded floorsp3ce
effective' To chance is an expense beyond the l sent budget
The disabled job applicant must deal with the fact
Maintainability Can it be maintained easily' that his prospective. work area is inflexible and
Is it simple enough to minimize maintenance his prospective employer is cost-conscious
problems' Rehabilitation engineering for workstation adapta-
tion must deal with the practical realities of the
Comparability Is this adaptation better than irresistible force versus the immovable object
the avertable alternatives? The wheelchair user must be squeezed into a con-
fined space, raised to table height, and his
Acceptability Will ' andicapped worker available fur.ctional capacity must be augmented
use the adaptation" with adaptive devices This must be done at mini-
mal cost with only minor alteration of the
from Technology for Independent Living II, employer's work area The resulting adaptation
Project on Science and Handicapped Available must be delivered quickly, allow for ;requent
from American Association for the Advancement of updating, and last "forever"
Science, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20036 As if the mechanical requitements were not strin-
gent, the interfacing systems are even less work-
COSTS able The vocational rehabilitation agency, in an
effort to mix the two extremes of client service
For statistics on costs of reasonable accommoda- and taxpayer accounta.Ality, will 'delay the place-
tion, and the percentages represo-,red by pecial ment process in order to docurmint the procedures
equipment, refer to- The potential employer understandably, does not
want to modify his building, threaten his insur-
A Study of Accommodations Provided to Handicapped ance program, or alter a worksite for a handi-
Employees by Federal Contractors Commissioned by capped applicant, if an able-bodibd person has
the Department of Labor also applied Besides, the employer probably
wants someone "now," not six weeks downstream when
Excerpts from this study can be found in the all the evaluations and adaptations have been
FUNDING section of this Sourcobook, page 262 completed

This oreoentation will attempt to describe realis-


tic, c t-effective, quick response methods for
approaching the challenge of workstation adapta-
tion for persons whose neuromuscular, auditory, or
visual function d ffers significantly ' 3m the
norms which guided the configurawn of en
9 existing worksite

85 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEPOOK RESNA 1964 35


EDUCATHAAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

B. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLEJ 2 Employer

I. Validate in Use If the client :s new hire," the employer will


be concerned about the compatibility of the client
There is no place in our methods for a "disability and any intended adaptations with his status citio
type." The individual for whom adaptations are Unless he is under pressure to provide accommoda-
planned is unique and must be intimately involved tions for handicapped workers, he will push for
in the process He alone will determine the suc- minimal changes to the work area and demand that
cess of the adaptation The prospective employee modifications be performed quickly and at small
must ultimately demonstrate, to himself and his cost to h's budget It will be important for the
potential employer, that he can perform the work client to perform competitively with respect to
required by the job. Only then can the validity his non-handicapped co-workers
of the adaptation be proven
If the employer is trying to satisfy a requirement
2. Focus on Function that he accommoaate handicapped persons, then time
and cost may not be serious constraints His
It is altogether too easy to be dist-acted by a primary mission will be to show good intent,
person's disability. To do so is to dilute the whether he actually hires or not If he has a
energy directed toward augmenting the ability that strong resistance to hiring handicapped workers,
is available By focusing on the work tasks re- he may wish to extend tne period of adaptation
quired, we are able to concentrate adaptive
resources on the positive, usable functions On the other hand, if the employer is trying to
reinstate an experienced employee who has become
3. Strive for Simplicity disabled during a term of employment, he will
probably be more seriously motivated toy. J rd ge-
A designer may have a tendency to create elabo- ting an appropriate workstation adaptation He
rate, sophisticated, high-performance adaptive will, in this case, be more likely to commit time
modifications To do so is to introduce complex- and money to the task, especially if the adapta-
ity, unreliability, and high-cost Worse still, tion will enable return to the same job function
there is a significant risk that the adaptation as before the disablement occurred
will stymy growth and advancement on the job
Inexpensive, readily purchasable consumer products 3 The Service-Provider
should be utilized to the ultimate
The intermediary in most vocational rehabilitation,
4 Generalize cases is the agent who attempts to marry the
employer and the disabled client He may be a
Many worksite adaptations intended for a handi- government emplaseerin-medical.-professional, or an
capped person have proven to benefit the non- insurance person In most instances, the service
handicapped co-worker as well After all, of tends to be either medically or educationally
optimizing work function is the goal, it is likely oriented, and almost always requires a great deal
that anyone's function at the workstation, will be of documentation Typically, a client file con-
enhanced This can be a strong convincing argu- tains reports from a medical doctor, a psycholo-
ment for a potential employer gist, one or more therapists, and a vocational
evaluate'. In most instances, he will have under-
gone a physical capacities examination, various
C. CONSTRAINTS skills and preference tests, and work adjustment
training At the time he is presented to the
As a workrtation designer, you must realize that prospective employer land the workstation
yce -.re a small part of the system which is in- designer), he has been declared "wor'A ready"
volved with preparing c suitable work situation
for its client. Each part of that system is For most of these reports and tests, the profes-
guided by expectations regarding time, cost, docu- sional who wrote the report has been paid accood-
mentation, and definition of success The key ing to a negotiated fixed fee schedule or hourly
participants in that system are the client, his rate The client passed through this system at a
prospective employer, the service provider 'coun- pace set by the professionals There is no set
selor, rehab nurse, placement specialist) You fee schedule for workstation design, however, so
must recognize that the. needs of each are not it is usually necessary for the designer to pre-
necessarily compatible pare a cost-estimate and be prepared for compete
true bidding or a delay pending justification of a
1 Client sole-source contract

The person for whom the worksite is being designed 4 Payment System
is either a "new hire," nas not worked for that
employer before, or he is a "re-employ," has The workstation designer will not be paid up
worked for the employer before, but not neces- front, he must wait as much as several months
sarily at the same job If he is already know- after completion of the job In decreasing order
ledgeable about the job, he is your most important of promptness, payment will come most ouickly 'f
source of information If not. reserve his input from the employer, then the insuror, then the
for the trial-use stage mentioned later He will government agency If special adaptive equipment
be concerned with time and appearance, not costs is to be specified by the designer, then purchased
by the service-provider, expect to be delayed by
the procurement system
100
88 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCERCOK RESNA 1994 86
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

These experienced observations are colored with cated in her lap or to one side An arthritic
cynicism, admittedly, but are offered as realistic client may not be able to tolerate upright seating
precautions. If the designer is aware of the fnr prolonged fNeriorts
pitfalls, he should be better prepared to plan and
schedule his design and creative services He 3 Interface
must access a capital base which will allow him to
survive until the backlog of work and receivables Assuming that the client has been accessed to and
becomes balarced to the point of being financially positioned at his workstation, we can now attempt
self-sustaining and evenly paced. to plug him into the work flow As stated pre-
viously, the workstation design should neither
modify the person nor the work to be done Both
D. DESIGN PROCESS should be considered inviolate The remainder is
the space between the worker and the work, the
To ensure that the client is successfully and interface We can attach to the worker and the
permanently adapted to his Intended work, the workpiece and we can design the linkage between
designer must consider the worker and workstation
as components of a steady work flow process It is appropriate at thi_ point to bring up and
There are two processes that must interact emphasize a common pitfall in adaptive workstation
smoothly, getting to and from the workstation and design When supplied with a limited array of
doing the work itself worker functions and a requirement for competitive
productivity, there is a tendency to automate, to
1. Access supplant worker function with machine function
The danger is that "supplant" can easily become
A worker is not a permanent attachment to his "replace" and the outcome of such an evolution is
worksite, he must move to it, away from it, and to eliminate the role of the worker Automation
around it charing the course of a work period If is a usefully ally in workstation design, but,
access is a time and energy-consuming struggle, it like alcohol, needs to be used in moderation and
not only reduces the efficiency of the work with a cautious appreciation for the effects of
period, but it also limits the freedom for occa- its abuse
sional stress-relieving breaks. The entire
employment environment should be surveyed for Attachments to the worker are nominally encom-
accessibility Not only the main entrance, rest- passed by the professions of occupational therapy,
rooms and water fountains (as is most common), but orthotics, and prosthetics If a mouthstick,
also the supervisor's office, the coffee urn, the head-pointer, hand splint, torso harness, or leg
lunchroom, and the emergency exits bracing are required for a workstation system
design, the professional should be consulted or
Access space requirements are three-dimensional retained
A common mistake in examining accessibility is to
focus on the floor plan Remember that barriers Attachments to the machinery or workpiece are
can include poor illumination, lac .)f tactile and sometimes better understood and produced by the
audible labels, ano overhanging obstacles for plant engineer or the machine manufacturer If a
visually handicapped workers, time period bells keygua.-d, a switch relocation, or a workbench
and safety alarms or sirens for hearing impaired alteration are needed, these specialists should be
workers; and door thresholds, heavy door closers, contacted Many times, a rough concept of the
and dirty or cluttered floors for mobility im- required modification is all the workstation
paired workers Of course, there are many other designer need to supply The machine technician
details to be considered for each client such as can often take it from there
intolerance to temperature extremes in the SCI
quad It is essential, however, to take time to The linkage between worker and workplace is the
thoroughly flush out potential barriers If pos- most fertile ground for the specialized equipment
sible, include the client in your evaluation at knowledge and creativity of t.le adaptive work-
the worksite If not, make a concerted effort to station designer In that arena, the designer can
play his role, complete with cane, wheelchair, or achieve a successful extension and augmentation of
whatever adaptive devices may be used by the pros- available function without changing the worker or
pective employee the machinery and furniture Switches, electronic
communicators, reaching aids. turntables, adaptive
2 Positioning telephones, environmental controls, and
specialized tools and material handling equipinent
Locating the worker relative to his work function are some of the specific linkages which are used
can be a key element in the efficiency and endur-
ance of his daily performance on the Job In many
cases, the disabling condition causes a signifi- E. SIMULATION
cant deviation from the norms used in the original
design of furniture and machinery used by non- There is no more reealing evaluation technique
handicapped employees Because of visual impair- than real, on-line trial work by the prospective
ment, a worker may need to be positioned so that employee If the employer will cooperate, the
his eyes are very near his work without accessing trial should be conducted on-site, at a conven-
an uncomfortable sitting, standing, or beading tional production worksite If not, in his
over position Necessary occasional supplies may training area If not that, then opt for remote
'lave been stored in overhead cabinets that are simulation, incorporating as mach detail as prac-
beyond the rea-h of a seated person A cerebral tical
palsied person may require that the work be lo-
10I
87 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCE1100K RESNA 1964 87
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Since this :3 probably the most impectful opportu- The adaptive designer should develop a knack for
nity for the workstation designer, he should identifying common, commercially available tools,
attempt to simulate a completed adaptation, f materials and components to incr_srporre Into
possible To Jo so requires access to a broad supply houses, and industrial or r ice supply
array of commercially available adaptive. equipment catalogues are fertile resources for ideas and
and materials for fashioning crude m 'id'ficatioiis solutions The immediate shoe or office environ-
on site In our experience, there are a few ment may offer significant clues for adaptive
materials that will enable a broad sweep of adap- products
tations, namely duct tape, cardboard boxes, and
balsa wood. They can be formed into many shapes, 2 Equalizers
are reasonably durable and are readily available
at most neighbor:loot.. hardware stores There are products in daily use in modern industry
that are adaptive in nature, largely insensitive
Simulation is a powerful, non-threatening way to to a disabling condition They are familiar,
test a workstation design concept If it works, commercially available, and relatively inexpensive
it strengthens the resolve of all concerned, if it because of a broad market While examining a
doesn't, it is easy to change The margin between potential employer/worksite, look for and point
success and failure in adaptation is measured in out the adaptability of
fractions of an inch, best gaged by actual tria'
use, which simulation provides Until it has modular furniture
proven to be functional, a workstation should movable partitions
remain flexible Size, color, illumination, adjustable furniture (drafting tif:es I
height, angle, separation, and location of work- electric carts
station components must be tailored to the user intercoms and speaker phones
for optimum performance microcompt.ters
horizontal files
elevatoi s
F. TOOLS

This section relates closely to interface design, H SUMMARY


but is so important it needs to be discussed sepa-
rately Tools are machines intended to enhance As workstation designers, we need to be timely.
human performance Pliers amplify gripping force, cost-conscious, and practical We should empha-
a hammer increases "act energy, a template size and enhance the "normalcy" of our client
guides a pencil to improve the accuracy of a
shape Force, accuracy, speed, and endurance can
be aided by appropriate tool selection

Tools are often assigned to a specific worker and


are considered as expendable and renewable sup-
plies If a custom adaptation is needed for dis-
abled worker, it should be applied, if possible,
to the tool rather than the worksite In most
areas, the vocational rehabilitation agency will
purchase tools and simple modifications for its
client Tools are reedit,/ available, inexpensive,
easy to service or replace, and familiar to non-
disabled co-workers The last feature aids in the
attitudinal adaptation oe the worksite The other
features introduce a more general, very important
principle

G. PROCUREMENT

1 Supply Resources

In adaptive design there is a tension between two


principles

Custom workstations optimize performance (b.it


are expensive to produce)
Conventional workstations are less expensive
(but may not aid performance)

Rec:-.11ing that time delays for adaptation and


expensive changes are major barriers to successful
job placement, we are forced to lean toward the
latter principle A relater success pattern will
derive from consistently quick, inexpensive adap-
tations, even though that may not promote the
optimum performance from the worker
1n4
b8 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 88
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

THREE .:ASE STUDIES

The Rehabilitation Engineering Center at Wichita, II Casa Study Two Dei,elopment of adaptive hard-
Kansas provides vocational opportunities for ware to allow a quadriplegic spinal cord injured
severely handicapped people through the medium of person to ps.i sue a professional career in
engineering Toese case studies are a brief out- painting
line of the process used in the application of
rehabilitation engineering to vocational problems A Definition of the Problem
confronting severely handicapped people They
range rrom the simple to the complex, the rela- The handicapped person involved desired to pursue
tively inexpensive to the expensive They are an a career ir, professional painting He performed
example of how rehabilitation engineering can be painting activities through the use of a mouth
put to work effectively solving problems in hying stick since he was a high level quadriplegic be-
and independent vocational realm cause of an automobile accident

John Leslie 1 He needed to be able to adjust a drafting


Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas table both up and down and fore and aft
Wichita, Kansas
2 He wanted to be able to select one specific
color from a group of colors on individual
I. Case Study One The development of a head magic markers
switch to allow a handicapped person to operate a
numerically controlled lathe 3 These operations had to take place under the
control of a head stylus
A Definition of the Problem
B The Problem Solution
1 The person was unable to open and 'lose the
Jaws of the chuck of the lathe since h.: had 1 A commercially available drafting table with
only one functional arm "up and down" controls was purchased

2 The job necessitated two good arms in order 2 A modiftcaticm was made in the table through
to open and close the jaws of the lathe the design of the bracket and the utilization
while, at the same time, handling materials of electric ectuator which allowed the table
to be tilted foie and aft
3 The simultaneous use of both hands was neces-
sary in order to perform the job as the 3 A lazy susan type carousel wa, designed to
machine was originally configured accommcdate 100 magic markers so that the
individual could obtain one magic marker from
B The Problem Solution the selection of 100

1 It was determined that the handicapped C The Outcome


employee could open and close the jaws of the
chuck of the lathe through a switch that he 1 The in lividual is productive as an artist
could control with his head using the auaptive device

2 By interdicting the existing controls on the 2 The cost was approximately $4,000
machine, the head control switch could
be utilized by the hardicapped employee and 3 The adaptation was relatively simple and
still the machine coulo be operated by could be performed by local technical
the able-bodied employee in the normal man- personnel
ner

3 The cost of ',poi' an adaptation which allowed III Case Study Three The operation of a three-
the handicapped person to be productive axis crimper by a severely handicapped cerebral
on the jub was less than a total of $20 00 palsied individual

C rhe Dutcome A Definition of the Problem


1 Using this device, the individual performing It was desired tr ": "e a severely handicapped
the task was totally productive on a individual crimp 3 tube at three places, 120
plateau equal to his able-bodied counter- degrees apart
parts
1 The able-bodied person would utilize a punch
2 The cost of the adaptation was charged off in press and perform three separate crimping
a very short period of time due to the operations requiring that the tube be in-
high volume rate of product.on that is char- serted, crimped, extracted and rotated,
acteristic of numerically controlled cririped, extracted, etc
lathes

i The individual selected for the job had very


litCe functional capability, either handling
material or placing the tubes within the

89 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1954 89


EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

punch press FARMING

3 The VOlarlle of prntiurtInn wac cilrh tnat 1 8O Breaking New Ground, Bill Field. Ed Dept of
units per day was needed Agricultural Engineering, Purdue University, West
Lafayette, Indiana 47907 This quarterly news-
B The Problem Solution letter is published through the handiqapped Farmer
Project rt Purdue University The newsletter
A three axis crimper was designed in conjunction reports on developments and resources in the field
with a feeding mechanism to allow this severe/Iv and carries accounts of farmers who have success-
handicapped individual to perform the lob fully overcome their disabilities Although there
is no subscription fee, donations of $10 or more
1 The tube was crimped at three places simul- are requested for this client supported news-
taneously thus eliminating any insertion or letter
extraction process
"The Disabled Farmer" Paraplegia News, December,
2 A feeding mechanism was designed to feed the 1981 Paralyzed Veterans of America, Washington,
handicapped employee one tube at a time so DC
that he could place d in the feeding cradle
of the machine ".Jature and Proportion of Physical Impairments
Among Indiana's Farm Operators" Roger L
3 A feeding device was designed to insert the Tormoehlen and Bill Field Department of Agricul-
tube onto a crimping device and retract it tural Engineering, Purdue University, West
after the crimping operation took place Lafayette, Indiat a 47907 $1 00 A summary of a
study to determine the nature and proportion of
4 The handicapped person disposed of the tube physical impairments affecting Indiana farm opera-
after the operation was successfully tors Selected case histories are included
completed
"Working the Land Adapting Farming for Disabled
C They Outcome People" Disabled USA Volume 4, Nc 6,1981 The
President's Committee on Employment of the Handi-
The handicapped individual was assigned to the job capped, Washington, DC
and became productive after a relatively short
training period
Further information on adapted equipment used by
1 He easily met or exceeded the L800 unit per disabled farmers may be found by contacting
day criteria
Jiri J Vasa
2 After working on the job for approximately Rehabilitation Engineering Section
two years, his posturing and gene,-al Biomedical Engineering Unit
physical well being improved Queen's University
Kinston, K7L 3N6
3 This individual became a valued ernpioyee at CANADA
Center Industries Corporation and received
minimum wage or above and has a total fringe William E Field
1-enefit package including hospitalization, Extension Safety Specialist
life insurance, paid vacations, etc Department of Agricultural Engineering
Purdue University
The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
publishes the quarterly Tech Brief Problem Sol- 314/494-1191
ving with Rehabilitation Engineering Some of the
articles in this series include
There have been a series of workshops for handi-
Pneumatically-Powered Wirebender capped farmers (Lansing, Michigan, March 1983,
Digital Readout Numerical Counter Grand Forks, North Dakota, July 1983) Field says
Morse Code Typing Aid that it is sometimes difficult to get the farmers
Reaction and Reach Timing Device to come to the workshops "because they don't see
Cylindrical Parts Selector Feeder themselves as handicapped" But these independent
Spindle Drilling Fixtures and self-reliant farmers have quickly come to
Floor Sweeping Collector realize the many benefits to be had from swapping
Work Station for a Quadriplegic CP Typist ideas and resources The workshops includes ex-
Intra- Individual Ability Fvaluation Using the amples of owner-built manlifts and controls for
Available Motions: Inventory tractors, combines, and other equipment, an over-
Power ,..awn Mower "Dead-Man Switch" view of agricultural equipmen' adaptations, and a
Water Hydrant Torque Assisting Tool review of resources available to the farmor/
grower or family member

If you would like to have a workshop in your area,


or know of an event that would be of special
interest to farmers with physical disabilities,
please contact Bill Fields at Purdue University

10
ao TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 90
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY FOR EMPLOYMENT: RESOURCES

ORGANIZATIONS National Tool and Die Makers


75 Airport Road
These groups focus on employment for the disabled, Hartfort, CT 06114
they can provide information and/or publications (203) 522-7279
on employment related technology

GROUPS CONCERNED WITH COMPUTER EMPLOYMENT AND


Human Resources Center PROVISION OF COMPUTER-RELATED SERVICES BY SEVERELY
I U Willets Road HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS
Albertson, NY 11507
(5161747-5400 Association of Rehabilitation Programs in Data
Processing (ARPDP)
Mainstream, Inc P 0 Box 2404
1200 15th Street, N W Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Washington, D C 2001)5 The ARPDP represents 26 programs across the
(800) 424-8089, also for TTY country which train severely handLapped
(202) 833-1136 inoividuals as computer programmers G iu-
ates of these programs are places in competi-
Materials Development Center tive employment As of December 4982, 715
Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute out of 893 students were successfully placed
University of Wisconsin-Stout The Association responds to inquiries con-
Menomonie, Wisconsin cerning the specific needs of disabled pro-
grammers Persons desiring detailed informa-
President's Committee on Employment of Handicapped tion are referred to the training program
1111 20th Street, N W, 6th Floor nearest to them A quarterly newsletter is
Washington, D C 20210 available from VIEWPOINT, Center for
(202) 653-5044 Independent Living CTP, 2020 Milvia, Room
470, Berkeley, CA 94704
Rehabilitation Engineering Center
Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas Business Information Processing Education for the
P 0 Box 8217 Disabled Corporation (BIPED)
Wichita, KS 67208 26 Palmer's Hill Road
(316) 688-1888 Stamford, CT 06902
203/324-3935
RehabTech (formerly IMPART) Non-profit educational project for computer
Texas Rehabilitaiion Commission programming and related information proces-
118 East Riverside Dave sing skills for the disabled
Austin, TX 78704
512/445-8375 Iowa Computer-Assisted Rehabilitation ()coup
(ICARG)
University of Wisconsin-Stout Apt B
Vocational Rehabilitation Center Northgate Manor
Menomonie, WI 54751 Waukon, IA 52172
715/232-1464
Georgia Computer Programmer Group
2201 Glenwood Avenue, SE
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES Atlanta, GA 30316
American Institute of Independent Engineers LIFT, Inc
25 Technology Park-Atlanta 350 Pfingsten, Suite 103
:ilor Cross, Georgia 30092 Northbrcok, IL 60062
(404) 449-0460 312/564-9004
Not-for-profit contract programming company
American Fociety of Mechanical Engineers which identifies, trains and hires physically
345 E 47th Street handicapped to major corporations
New York. NY 10017
(212) 644-7722 Pearson Computer Assessment Centre
earson Hospital
American Society of Safety Engineers 700 West 57th Avenue
850 Busse Highway Vancouver, BC V6P 1S1 CANADA
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(312) 692-4121 Test Fast Services, Inc
245 eedfoozi Road
International League of Electrical AssociatiJn Pleasantville, NY 10570
2101 L Street, N W 914//47-1311
Washmston, D C 200-
(232) 157-8452 Gerald Warren & Associates
4825 Stanford Avenue NE
105 Seattle, WA 98105

91 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1984 91


EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

A RESOURCE FOR DEVELOPING ACCESSIBLE JOBSITES

DESIGNING FOR FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS


James Mueller
The Job Development Laboratory, George Washington
University, Washington, DC

"How to Use This Resource

"The following is an example of how DESIGNING FOR FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS


can be used

"Paul has applied for the job of information receptionist at a large


government office Paul has cerebral palsy He is qualified for the job,
but he and his employer feel that some modifications to the worksite may
help THe job requires access to a large directory of employees which must
be accessed quickly for visitors seeking a specific office or telephone
number There is considerable use of the telephone involved, and verbal
assistance must occasionally ba given to visitors

"Paul and his prospective employer have reviewed WORKSITE 1 and 2 illustra-
tions on pages 5 and 7 to check for any major barriers in the general work
environment It is noted that the most serious barriers have already been
removed, but door knobs will have to be replaced with levers

"They then review further modifications as illustrated for function&


limitations on pages 13 through 74 On the reverse side of each illustra-
tion are listed any disabilities which may require the modifications
printed in dark over the WORKSITE illustration Although Paul has cerebral
palsy, he has no difficulty in interpreting information no limitation of
speech, no incoordination, or difficulty in moving his head, therefore,
these modifications were not considered. His functional limitations which
may affect job performance include poor balance, difficulty in using lower
extremities, and difficulty in handling and fingering The illustrations
for these limitations (pp 41, 39, 33, 73, 71, 651 suggested modifications
which could help Paul be more independent at work

"Handle assists can be placed at the desk to aid hi-n in sitting down and
rising from the chair The stool at the worksite can be replaced with one
having full arms and a backrest Quick access to the office directory is
done with a microfilm viewer and a microfilm version of the director The
viewer controls can be converted to push-button operation A headset
receiver will make use of the telephone easier Paul and his employer
agree that these modifications will be useful and cost-effective for this
job/client match In this situation, WORKSITE 1 was used However, had
the job required it, WORKSITE 2 illustrations might also have helped

"Counselors and evaluators will find DESIGNING FOR FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS


helpful in job planning with their clients Employers can use it ,n plan-
ning affirmative action programs Designers and engineers, as well as
students of these professions, can use it to plan environments and products
more suitable for use by able and disabled consumers alike DESIGNING FOR
FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS is a workbotk, not a textbook It is offered in
looseleaf format to encourage additions, notes, and convenient use Your
comments on its usefulness to you are welcome"

The following six pages are reprinted here with the permission of the Job
Development Laboratory, George Washington University, Washington, DC

1n6
92 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING 501164E1100K RESNA 1984 92
WALLS FLASHING VISUAL ALARM (less than 5 Hz)

USE SLIP RESISTANT, NON-GLARE SURFACES 8000 Hz AUDITORY ALARM (120 db max )

SLIDING WINDOWS PREFERRED


AVOID ROUGH SURFACES AND PROTRUDING OBJECTS
AVOID TOTAL SOUND ABSORPTION
INTERIOR S:GNS
LOCATE NEAR DOOR FRAME ON LATCH SIDE
EMERGENCY 0
DOOR CLOSER RESISTANCE
LABEL USABLE FACILITIES WITH ta SYMBOL 5- 15 LB 122 2 -68 7 N)
pref adjustable
LETTERING or outomabc
LIGHT-ON-DARK PREFERRED
0625- 1"116- 25mm) HELVETICA TYPE (ALL CAPS)
9- 17' 1227-305mm) RAISED 003" (1mm)
MAX SHELF HEIGHT MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY BRAILLE GLAZING IN
63" (1600mm) SIGN HEIGHT 54-66" 11372- 1676mm/
an ROCKER
UPPER HALF

DIAL THERMOSTAT or 36 -48"


SWITCH OF DOOR

TELEPHONES
1914- 1219mm)
RECEIVER WITH VOLUME CONTROL
HANDSET CORD 36" 1914mm) MIN
36- 42 ROUNDED LEVER
LOCATE BULKIEST OBJECTS
(914- 1067inm) 42-48"
ON LEVEL WITH DESK 4242.1f,v.) (1067- 1219mm)
32 -36"
11313- 914mm)

WINDOW CONTROLS
KICKPLATE 12- 18"
20-54' (5OS- 1372mm)
MAX OPERATING FORCE TO I-- 29-30"
(305- 457mm)
18-48" 6 5" MIN 44' MAX
5 LB 122 2 NI 1737-762mm)
(457- 1219mm) 1419mm I (1118mm)
165" MIN adjustable
29- 38' DOORS
(419mnil 30-32' height pref
235 -35" 1737 965mm I 60" 11524mm) CLEAR SPACE ON BOTH SIDES OF DOOR
1762-813mm) 165 MIN
1508-889mm) SIDE- HUNG PREFERRED TO SLIDING TYPE
1419mml
DOOR SHOULD OPEN INTO LOWER TRAFFIC AREA
WORK STATION GLASS SHOULD HAVE DECALS AT FACE HEIGHT
AVOID CENTER DRAWERS 0 5 113mml MAX THRESHOLD
24" 1610mm) MIN KNEE WELL WIDTH
rvOID SHARP EDGES AND CORNERS
FLOORS NON GLARE LIGHTING TO MINIMIZE FATIGUE STORAGE CABINETS
NON-ABSORBENT MATERIALS IN WARM, DARK COLORS DRAWERS WITH ROLLERS FOR EASY OPERATION
AVOID COLOR CONTRAST EXCEPT TO DENOTE LEVEL CHANGE U SHAPEO HANDLES 4" x 1 5' 1102mm x 38mm)
AVOID SCULPTURED TEXTURES OR CHANGES IN DIRECTION OF GRAIN
DRAWERS SHOULD BE OPERABLE WITH ONE HAND
THIN, hEAVY- DUTY UNPADDED LOOP PILE CARPETING PREFERREO SEATING
CARPETING SHOULD BE FIRMLY FIXED TO FLOOR
ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT AND SUPPORT r'OR LOWER BACK
(FEET SHOULD REST ON FLOOR OR OTHER SUPPORT)

SPECIFICATIONS ON THIS ILLUSTRATION SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS TO WORKSITES WHICH


WILL AID ABLEBODIED AS WELL AS PERSONS WITH SENSORY OR LOWER EXTREMITY LIMITATIONS.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR MORE SPECIFIC FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS ARE DESCRIBED ON TRANSPARENT OVERLAYS. WO R KSITE 1
Reprinted with the permission of the Job Development Laboratory,
George Washington University, Washington DC
1n 7
Reprinted with the permission of the Job Developmei,f,
George Washington University. Washington DC

Diffrient, Tilley, Bardawy, Humanscale 1/2/3, 3a,


Specifications on the reverse side are based on EQUIPMENT CONTROLS 3b
body mea.urements of the 'average ad'ilt Extremes Bazar, Ergonomics in Rehabilitation Engineering, Grandjeen, Fitting the Task to the Man
of size and weight may require adjustment of some 55-71
Harkness, Groom, Building Without Barriers for
specifications. Further explanations of these Steinfeld, Barrier-Free Design for the Elderly and the Disabled, 36
guidelines may be found in the following re- the Disabled, 111
Mace, An Illustrated Handbook of the North
rources, from which all specifications have been Carolina State Building Code, 92-93
compiled. FIRE ALARMS /EXTINGUISHERS
Ohio Governor's Committee on Employment of the
Harkness, Groom, Building Without Barriers for the Handicapped, Access for All, 115
CASINETS, DRAWERS, FILES Disabled, 16, 18
Trombly, Scott, Occupational Therapy for Physical
Diffrient, Tilley, Bardagjy, Humanscale 1/2/3, 3a. Mace, An Illustrated Handbook of the North Dysfunction, 391-392
3b. Carolina State Building Code, b5
Goldsmith, Designing for the Disabled, 245-251, Ohio Governor's Committee on Employment of the TELEPHONES
315. Handicappr i, Access for All, 112, 125 Cary, How to Create Interiors for the Disabled,
Mace, An 1:lustrated Handbook of the North Steinfeld, Barrier-Free Design for the Elderly and 110
Carolina Building Code, 117 the Disabled, 72 D iffrient, Tilley, Bardagjy, Humanscal: 1/2/3, 26,
Steinfelc., Barrier-Free Design for the Elde iy and 3a
Disabled, 111 FLO0i.S
Goldsmith, Designing for the Disabled, 214
Diffrient, Tilley, Bardagjy. Humanscale 1/2/3, 26 Mace, An Illustrated Handbook of the North
CLOTHES HOOKS Duncan, Gish, Mulholland, Townsend, Environmen- Carolina State Building Code, 114-115
Goldsmith, signing for the Disabled, 314 tal Modifications for the Visually Impaired A Ohio Governor s Committee on Employment of the
Ohm Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handbook, 444- 145
Handicapped, Access for All, 109-125
Handicapped, Access for All, 115 Goldsmith, Designing for the Disabled, 196-197 Veterans Administration, Handbook for Design
Veterans Administration, Handbook for Design Harkness, Groom, Building Without Barriers for the Specially Adapted Housing, 41
Specially Adapted Housing, 43 Disabled, 34
Ohio Ucyerno s Committee on Employment of the THERMOSTATS
DOORS AND HARDWARE Hanclice.;;F:cd, Access for All, 75 Mace, An Illustrated Handbook of the North
Cary, How to Create Interiors for the Disabled Carolina State Building Code, 84-85
24-31 INTERIOR SICNS
Ohio Governor's Committee on Employment of the
Diffrient, Tilley, dardagiy, Humanscale 1/2/3, Diffrient, Tilley, Barcegjy, Humanscale 1/2/3, Handicapped, Access for All, 111
28,30 28, 29, 3b
Duncan, Gish, Mulholland, Townsend, Environmental Duncan, Gish, Mulholland, Townsend, Environmental WALLS
Modifications for the Visually Impaired A Modifications for the Visually Impaired A Diffrient, Tilley, Bardagjy, Humanscale 1/2/3, 26
Handbook. 444 Handbook. 444-447
Harkness, Gr"om, Building Without Barriers for the
Goldsmith, Designing 4C, the Disabled, 185-190 Har.iess, Groom, Building Without Barriers for Disabled, 16
Harkness, Groom, Building Without Barriers for the the Disabled, 16-18
Disabled, 31-33 Mace, An Illustrated Handbook of the North WALL SWITCHES
Mace, An Illustrated Handbook of the North Carolina State Building Code, 64-85 D iffrient, Tilley, Bardagjy, Humanscale 1/2/3, 3b
Carolina State Building Code, 34, 35, 39, 40, Ohio Governor's Committee on Employment of the Goldsmith, Designing for the Disabled, 211
Mace, Accessibility Modifications, 21-25 Handicapped, Arcess for All, 112-113 Ohio Governor's Committee on Employment of the
Ohio Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, Access for All, 111
Handicapped, Access for A', 117, 77-80 SHEL' /ES
U S Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Steinfeld, Barrier-Free Design for the Elderly and Diffrient, Tilley, Bardagjy, Htimanscale 1/2/, , 3a, Barrier-Free Site Design, 17
Disabled, 100-103, 76 3b
Veterans Administration, Handbook for Design
Veterans Administration, Handbook for Design Goldsmith, Designing for the Disabled, 123-12E Specially Adapted Housing, 40
Specally Adapted Housing, 34-37 Mace, An Illustrated Handbook of the North
Carolina State Building Code, 117 WINDOWS AND CONTROLS
kl.11.','RICAL OUTLETS National Academic of Science, cc tsibility An D iffrient, Tilley, Bardagjy, Humanscale 1/2/3, 3a
Diffrient, Tilley, Bardagjy, Humans..;le 1/2/3, 3b Approach to the Development of Design Criteria, Goldsmith, Designing for the Disabled, 178-180
2 Goldsmith, Designing for the Disabled, 212-213 C12-C15
Ohio Governor's Committee on Employment of the
Ohio Governor's Committee on Employment of the Veterans Administration, Handbook for Design Handicapped, Access for All, 111, 124
0 Handicapped, Access for All, 110,118
Veterans Administration, Handbook for Design
Specially Adapted Housing, 43 Steinfeld, Barrier-Free Design for the Elderly 1;
and the Disabled, 106
Si* ally Adapted Hou :na, TABLES, DESKS, WORK STATIONS
Veterans Administration, Handbook for Design:
Austin, Resources Handbook tor Barrier-Free Specially Adapted Housing, 38
Design, 79
S

d
g
TELEPHONE AIDS:
CONTROLS:
331 SPEAKERPHONE
OPTIMUM OPERATING FORCE: 3/4 LB (3.2 N)
EASIER DOCUMENT ACCESS HEADSET RECEIVER
2 PROVIDE AUDITORY/VISUAL FEEDBACK
o USING sooKszara ADJUSTABLE ARM 7-*OR RECEIVER
AVOID SLICK, UNTEXTURED SURFACES
MICROFILM VIEWER, ENLARGED "TOUCHTON E" BUTTONS
1 AVOID NEED FOR TVVIST1NG MOTION
Z OR READING MACHINE
IIP PUSH BUTTON OR ROCKER PREF. TO LE /ER OR KNOB
(SEE "CONTROLS" AT RIGHT) 0 eaftigt7
R PEN /PENCIL
C
THROUGH RUBBER BALL OR ELECTRIC SELFCORRECTING,
< HARD FOAM FOR EASIER GRASP AUTORETURN TYPEWRITER
z0 WITH KEYOUARO FOR GREATER
HAND SUPPORT AND ACCURACY
sC AND PAPER ROLL

CASSETTE TAPE RECORDER FOR


8m MESSAGES, MEMOS, DICTATION, ETC.

m
m AVOID DRAWERS DEEPER THAN 12" (305mm)
in
Z OPEN DESKTOP STORAGE PREFERABLE
...
BULKY OBJECTS SHOULD BE SLID RATHER THAN LIFTED
USE SLICK SURFACES FOR EASIER MOVEMENT OF MATERIALS
USE BOLTS. CLAMPS, OR NONSLIP MATS WHERE STABILITY IS NEEDED

s Di#4014.11,1N HANDLING AND FINGERING


AFFECTS APPROX. 1% OF U. S. POPULATION)

111
.............-u-............. BEST r.nPv AliAll /1131 r
DIFFICULTY IN HANDLING AND FINGERING

Persons with this limitation experience decreased Aids suggested on the illustration below ha e heen
mobilility, range of motion, and/or strength in used by persons having this limitation No en-
their hands Approximately 1% of the U S popula- dorsement of specific products is intended The
tion is affected to some degree (National Academy reader is encouraged to obtain further information
of Sciences, 1976) from suppliers of

BOOKSTANDS
This limitation may be expe.ienced by persons CASSETTE TAPE RECORDERS
having any of the following disabilities MICROFILM VIEWERS
NON-SLIP MATS
Amputations OPEN DESK-TOP FILES AND STORAGE
Arthritis READING MACHINES
Bilateral Hemiparetic TELEPHONE AIDS
Cardiac Disorders TYPEWRITERS
Cerebral Palsy TYPEWRITER KEYGUARDS, PAPER ROLI S
Cerebrovascular Accidents (st.oke)
Congenital Deformities
Dupuytren's Contracture
Multiple Sclerosis Further modif,cations to WORKSITE 1 for persons
Muscular Dystlphy having this limitation are suggested on the
Myasthenia Gray's illustration Each one should be selected,
Parkinson's Disaase amended, or rejected according to the expressed
Polymyositis needs of the individual and the job
Severe Burns
Spinal Cord Injury
Syringomyelia

Reprinted with the permission of the Job Development Laboratory,


George Washington University, Washingtoo DC
aunt-At.bb
AVOID ROUGH SURFACES AND PROTRUDING OBJECTS
AVGID TOTAL SOUND ABSORPTION
LOCATE NEAR DOOR FRAME ON LATCH SIDE
LABEL USABLE FACILITIES WITH El SYMBOL EMERGENCY 0 DOOR CLOSER RESISTANCE
LETTERING
7-15 LB 122 2- 66 7N)
LIGHT- ON-DARK PREFERRED pref adjustable or automatic
STORAGE CABINETS 0625 -1" 116-25mm) HELVETICA TYPE ALL CAPS)
CABINET HEI3HT 63" MAX 11600mm) RAISED 003" (1mml
U-SHAPED HANDLES: 4" x 1 5" 1102mm x 38mm) MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY BRAILLE
HANDLES SHOULD BE OPERABLE WITH ONE HAND IF EXTINGUISHERS MUST BE RECESSED,
SIGN HEIGHT DOOR HANDLES SHOULD BE
54-66 '11372-1676mm) ROCKER
U- SHAPED: 4" x 1 5" 1102mm x 31LITIA)
7 75"
(197mml SWITCH MEM

CONTROL HEIGHT PULL TYPE


ALARM
16 5-54"
1419- 1372mm) 36-48" -014.2
(914- 1219mm) T- ROUNDED LEVER
GONVEYQRS SHOULD DIAL HEIGHT :6-42"
BE ON SAME LEVEL AS 48' 1914- 1067mm)
WORK SURFACE 11219mm)
32 -36"
6 5" MIN 1813 - 914mm)
30-32" 42 28"
(419mm)
1762-813mm) 11067-1219mm)
29-38" KICKPLATE 12-18"
1737 - 965mmr->--- 1305 457mm)
TELEPHONES 38-48"
29-30" 1737-762mm) (414-1219mm)
RECEIVER WITH "OLUME CONTROL
adjustable height preferred
HANDSET CORD 36" (914mm) MIN

DOORS
SI1E-HUNG PREFERRED TO SLIDING TYPE
EQUIPMENT CONTROLS
60" 11524mm) CLEAR SPACE ON BOTH SIDES OF DOOR
TEMPORARY STORAGE SURFACE
LIGHTED PUSH-BUTTON SW'TCHES PREFERRED DOOR SHOULD OPEN INTO LOWER TRAFFIC AREA
FOR WORK MATERIALS IN
INDICATORS SHOULD BE VISUAL AND AUDITORY GLASS SHOULD HAVE DECALS AT FACE HEIGHT
CONVENIENT LOCATION
MIN CONTROL SPACING : 1" (25mm) 0 5" 113mm) MAX THRESHOLD
75" 119mm) DIA OR SQUARE CONTROL SHAPE

WORK STATION FLOORS


AVOID SHARP EDGES AND CORNERS
NON ABSORBENT MATERIALS IN WARM, DARK COLORS
NON-GLARE LIGHTING TO MINIMIZE FATIGUE
AVOID COLOR CONTRAST EXCEPT TO DENOTE LEVEL CHANGE
SEATING WITH ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT AND SUPPORT FOR LOWER BACK AVOID PATTERNS OR EXCESSIVE TEXTURES
(FEET SHOULD REST ON FLOOR UR OTHER SUPPORT)
FLOOR COVERING FIRMLY FIXED TO FLOOR

SPECIFICATIONS ON THIS ILLUSTRATION SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS TO WORKSITES WHICH


WILL AID ABLEBODIED AS WELL AS PERSONS WITH SENSORY OR LOWER EXTREMITY LIMITATIONS.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR MORE SPECIFIC FUNCTIONAL. LIMITATIONS ARE DESCRIBED ON TRANSPARENT OVERLAYS.
WORKSITE 2
Reprinted with the permission of the Job Development . aboratory,
11J George Washington University, Washington DC
11
EDUCATIONAL APSO VOCATIONAL 'TECHNOLOGY

IIIIIIUCNIRAPHY

Environments! modification guidelines illust,:secl. Mace, Ronald I Accessibility Modification,


in Designing for Functional Limitations have been Raleigh, North Carolina North Carolina
compiled from resources on architectural accessi- Department of Insurance, 1976
bility, human factors. occupational therapy, and
rehabilitation medicine, as well as from disabled Michigan Center for a Barrier Free Environment
persons' experiences at the worksite Barrier Free Design Equipment red Aids Catalog,
West Bloomfield, Michigan Michigan Center for
Aiello, James and Edward Steinfeld Accessible a Barrier Free Environment, 1979
Buildings for People with Severe Visual Impair-
ments, Washington. D C U S Department National Research Council Accessibility An
of Housing and Urban Development, 1979 Approach to the Development of Design Solutions,
Washington, D C National Academy of
American Mutual Liability Insurance Company Sciences, 1976
Physical Abilities to Fit the Job, Boston
American Mutual Liability Insurance Company, National Spinal Cord Injury Foundation National
1956 Resource Directory, Newton Upper Falls,
Massachusetts National Spinal Cord Injury
American Society of Landscape Architects Foundation, 1979
Foundation. Barrier-Free Site Design,
Washington, D C. US Department of Housing The Ohio Governor's Committee on Employment of thi
and Urban Development, 1976 Handicapped Access for All An Illustrated
Handbook of Barrier-Free Design for Ohio,
Austin, Richard L. Resources Handbook for Columbus, Ohio The Ohio Governor's Committee
Barrier-Free Design, Mznhattan, Kansas on Employment of the Handicapped, 1977
Theraplan, Inc, 1978
Peterson, Carol Ann and Peg Connolly Character-
Bazar, Andy R Ergonomics in Rehabilitation istics of Special Populations Implications for
Engineering., Wichita Cerebral Palsy Research Recreation Participation and Planning, Washing-
Foundation of Kansas, 1978 ton, D C Hawkins Associates, 1978

Chasin, Joseph Home in a Wheelchair, Washington, Sorenson, Robert James Design for Accessibility,
DC.. Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1978 New York McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1979

Chasm, Joseph and Jules Saltman Tha Wheelchair Steinfeld, Edward, Steven Schroeder, and Marilyn
in W.. Kitchen, Washington, D C Paralyzed Bishop Accessible Buildings for People with
Veterans of America, 1978. Walking and Reaching Limitations, Washington,
DC US Department of Housing and Urban
Decker, Roger W Mobile Homes Alternative Development, 1979
Housing for the Handicapped, Laurinburg St
Andrews Presbyterian College (funded by U S Steinfeld, Edward, Steven Schroeder, and Marilyn
Department of Housing and Urban Development), Bishop Adaptable Dwellings, Washington, ID C
1977 U S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment, 1979
Diffrient, Niels, Alvin R Tilley, and Joan C
Bardagjy Humanscale 1/2/3, Cambridge, Steinfeld, Edward, Steven Schroeder, James Duncan,
Massachusetts. The MIT Press, 1974. Rolf Faste, Deborah Chollet, Marilyn Bishop,
Peter Wirth, and Paul Cardell Access to the
Gerontological Society Barrier-Free Design for Built Environment- A Review of Literature,
the Elderly and the Disabled, Syracuse, New Washington, DC US Department of Housing
York: Syracuse University, 1975 and Urban Development, 1979.

Goldenson, Robert M, Jerome R. Dunham, and Suazo, Antonio C Job Redesign, Washington. DC
Charles S Dunham (eds). Disability and Goodwill Industries of America, 1974
Rehabilitation Handbook, New York McGraw-Hill
Book Company, 1978 Texas Tech University. Human Rehabilitation
Techniques, Vol II, Springfield, Virginia
Goldsmith, Selwyn Designing for the Disabled, National Technical Information System, 1977
London: RIBA Publications, Ltd., 1976
Trombly, Catherine Anne and Anna Deane Scott
Grandjean, Etienne Fitting the Task to the Man Occupational Therapy for Physical Dysfunction,
London: Taylor and Francis, Ltd, 1969 Baltimore, Maryland The Williams and Wilkins
Comparci, 1977
Harkness. Sara P. and James W. Groom, Jr
Building without Barriers for the Disabled, New Veterans Administration Handbook for Design
York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 1976 Specially Adapted Housing, Washington, D C
Veterans Administration. 1978
Lewis. Thord and Sven-Olaf Bratgard Functional
Anthropometry and Hand Grip Strength in Wheel- Reprinted with the permission of the Job Development Laborat
chair Subjects. University of Goteborg. 1969 George Washington University, Washington DC

98 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENINT LIVINGIStV


ACEROOK REST 1984 98
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FOR EMPLOYMENT

An Annotated Bibliography of Literature Related To Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 1980 $900


The Employment of Deaf Persons National Center
on Employment of the Deaf, Rochester, NY Avail- A Guide to Job Site Evaluation K F Botterbusch
able from National Technical Institute for the Materials Development Center, Stout Vocational
Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rehabilitation Institute, University of Wisconsin-
Rochester, NY 14673 1981 $1 00 Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin How to use different
types of job site evaluations, how to set up a lob
The Assertive Job Seeker Lilly Bruck A 3- site and evaluate the client Sample evalLatior
cassette series "Technology in the Workplace," forms included
"Employer Attitudes," "The Civil Rights of Dis-
abled Employees" Available from In Touch Net- Home Operated Business Opportunities for the Dis-
works, Inc, 322 W 48th Street, New York, NY abled Accent Special Publications, Cheever Pub
10036 1981 $9 00 li3hing Inc, PO Box 700, Bloomington. IL
61701 109 pp 1977
Assisting the Physically Handicapped An Identifi-
cation and Development of Apparatus for Laboratory Human Scale 1/2/3, 4/5/6, 7/8/9 The MIT Press,
Shop Phase I K L Bruwelheide Montana State Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 12142
University, Department of Agricultural and Indus- Anthropometric charts for men, women, and
trial Education, Bozeman, Montana 1979 children Guideline requirements for physically
disabled and elderly people
A Comparison of Commercial Vocational Evaluation
Systems (Second Edition) Karl F Botterbusch The Industrial Engineering Handbook for Sheltered
Materials Development Center, Stout Vocational Workshops David A Hietala and Paul M McCray
Rehabilitation Institute, School of Education and RPM Press, P 0 Box 627, Menomonie, WI 54751 309
Human Services, University of Wisconsin-Stout, pages, figures, tabs Inquire for price 1982 A
Menomonie, WI 54751 1981 133 pages $10 50 reference for streamlining productivity in work
Provides professionals in many human service centers to result in maximum realistic
fields with accurate and detailed information on performance
wide available commercial vocational evaluation
systems ie International Directory of Job-Oriented Assis-
tive Devices Lifeboat, Fox Hill Garden Offices,
Designing for Functional Limitations J Mueller 5855 Green Valley Circle, Culvery City, California
The George Washington University, Rehabilitation 9023C $29 95 A 200-page guide on assistive
Research and Training Center, Job Development devices far over 25 disability groccs The direc-
Laboratory, 2300 Eye Street, Washington, D C tory Includes descriptions of individual disabili-
20037 1979 Excerpts from this document appear ties nroblems encountered, solutions, how the
at the beginning of this section devices work, and the manufacturer to contact
Employability Restorations Engineering Program for Job Redesign Antonio Suazo Goodwill Industries
Severely Handicapped J W McLauring, Ph D and of America, Washington, D C 1974
C J Laenger, Sr Southwest Research Institute,
P 0 Box Drawer 28510, 6220 Culebra Road, San Job Related Physical Capacities Project Final
Antonio, TX 78284 '4 pages 19'7 The report Report Florida International University, Miami,
describes how adaptations, many quite simp:e and Florida Refers to an aids and accommodations
Inexpensive, have allowed participants in the catalogue compiled as part of the project
program to hold jobs
Mama in_g and Employing the Handicapped The Un-
Employing the Disabled What Are Self-Help Groups tapped Potential G C Pat , J I Adkins, and G
and What Assistance Can They Offer the Employer? Morrison Brace-Park Press, P 0 Box 526, Lake
Ramo Rabbv, 136 E 55th Street, Suite 8E. New Forest, IL 1981 $19 95 hardcover, $14 95
York, NY 10022, (212) 371-7766 $5 00 plus $50 softcover
postage and handling 1981
Materials Development Center 1983 Stout Voca-
Employment of the Handicapped Resource Guide tional Rehabilitation Institute, University of
US Department of Education, Office of Special Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI 54751 1C83 17
Education and Rehabilitative Services, Publication pages A catalogue of print and audiovisual
No 82-22010, October, 1982 Information on material about vocational evaluation and related
programs to assist disabled persons in obtaining services, rehabilitation faLility operations, and
employment, programs creating job opportunities independent living
foi disabled persons, programs regulating policies
concerning employment of disabled persons, Modifying the Work Environment for the Physically
information for employers, and information Disabled An Accessibility Checklist for
resources and technical assistance Employers Margaret Desmond Human Resources
Center, Albertson, New York 11507 107 pp 1q82
Employment of the Handicapped- -The Goal of Inte-
gration and Safety in the Workplace Proceedings Reading, Writing, and Other Communication Aids for
of the Rehabilitation International Vocational Visually and Physically Handicapped Persons
Seminar, Toronto, Canada Available from Reference Circular No 82-1, National Library
Secretariat, Vocational Commission, 1323 Forbes Service for the Blond and Physically Handicapped,

99
1 ()
aGOOK
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING %OUR RESNA 1N4 99
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

The Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20542 available in braille


October 1981
Work Independence end the Severely Disabled A
Reasonable Accommodation Handbook Frank Bowe Bibliography G [Motto, and V Washam
American Telephone & Te leg,aph Company Available Research and Utilization Institute, National Cen-
from National Center for a Barrier Free Environ- ter on Employment of the Handicapped, Human
ment, Information Service, 1015 Fifteenth Street Resources Center, I U Willetts Road, Albertson,
NW, Washington, DC 20005 202/466-6896 323 NY 11507 1980 $7.95 A review of literature
pages $37 50. 1983 Although produced for covering areas related to independence at work
AT&T, this document would also be useful to other architectural barriers, mobility, transeortation
employers and vocational counselors It contains job modification, specialized equipment, and
an introductory section discussing the concept of general and vocational rehabilitation
reasonable accommodation and reviewing the legal
and regulatory requirements The book provides Working with Cerebral Palsy E M Shaver and K
one-page descriptions, with photographs, of hun- Mallik George Washington University, Rehabilita-
dreds of products and devices which may prove tion Research and Training Center. 2300 Eye
suitable for use as reasonable accommodations for Street, Washington, D C 20037 1981 $6 00
certain individuals having job-related limita- Vocation& training of people with cerebral palsy
tions Includes a list of alternative techniques and
devices to help overcome barriers at the work-
Rehabilitation Engineering A Counselor's Guide place
Report on the Sixth Institute on Rehabilitation
issues, San Antonio, Texas, Jule 5-9, 1979
Research & Training Center, S' ut Vocational Two European books on Technology Assisted Employ-
Rehabilitation Institute, University of Wisconsin- ment have been translated into English recently
Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin 141 pp 1979
Project EmptJyment and Technology Final Report
Rehabilitation Engineering Source Books Insti- Lucas Foundation for Rehabilitation, Hoensbroek
tute for Information Studies, Falls Church, VA Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Zandbergswe
1979 iii -6432 cc Hoensbroek, Holland 93 pages 1982
Between July 1979 and February 1982, the Founda-
Sensory Aids for Employment of Blind and Visually tion studied and developed technical provisions
Impaired Persons- A Resource Guide Compiled by for their occupational !raining and occupational
Sensory Aids Foundation Available from American practice of individuals with physical disabili-
Foundation for the Blind, 15 West 16th Street, New ties A new team mechanical engineers, docu-
York, NY 210 pp. 1978 Lists devices and mentation srecia!ist, and administrative assistant
equipment which provide on-the-job assistance to was recis.!tad and trained to work with other
visually impaired people Each entry describes Foundation members in gathering knowledge and
the function of the device, employment applica- providing experience about the applicability of
tion, vendor, availability, and, in some cases, technic& aids to employment opportunities The
price Listings include hard copy and paperless project designed, produced, and tested technical
braille devices, braille readout, tone output or aids in the work environment in cooperation with
voice output calculators, computer terminals or industry The project's successful production of
accessor.es, iabeling aids, measuring aids, commu- isable items and procurement of jobs is discussed
nication devices, etc Indexed by employment in the conclusion section accompanied by recommen-
area dations

Speaking of Employment A Symposium on Disabled Adapting Work Sites for People With Disabilities
People in the Workplace Mainstream, Inc, 1200 Ideas from Sweden Gerd Elmfeldt, Caroline Wise,
15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 1981 Hans Bergsten, Ake Olsson The Swedish Institute
$9 00 for the Handicapped, Box 303, S-161 26 Bromma,
Sweden Available in the USA from NARIC or from
Tools, Equipment and Machinery Adapted for the World Rehabilitation Fund, 400 East 34th Street,
Vocational Education and Employment of Handicapped New York. NY 10016 Free The sources for sup-
People. 787 pages $30 00 1981 Tools, pliers are all Swedish, but many of the devices
Equipment & Machinery A hew Catalog Supplement are available in the U S Many of the adapta-
671 pages $32 00 1983 Wisconsin Vocational tions, and the philosophy behind them, are readily
Studies Canter, 256 Education Sciences Building, applicable to the U S
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
53706.

Vocational and Educational Aids Smith Kettlewell


Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Smith Kettle-
well Institute, San Francisco, CA 31 pp 1982
A cat log of sensory aids for blind persons, with
an e phasis on low-cost electronic vocational
aids. Includes information on acquiring devices
or plans and circuit diagrams for devices which
are not commercially available Pictures and a
discussion of applications are given Devices
include items to enable blind persons to read
meters, scales and other measuring tools Also 11;;
100 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1964 100
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

PERIODICALS

" specific focus on applications for disability vnrk, NY ?nen? cubscno;on $12 00/yr to
Free to Controlled Circulation
"Aids and Appliances Review The Carroll Center
for the Blind, 770 Centre Street, Newton, MA Industrial Maintenance and Plant Operation Ames
02158, 617/969-6200 Each issue of this quarterly Publishing Company, 1 West Olney Avenue, Phila-
newsletter evaluates in depth one type of aid for delphia, PA 19120 Subscription $35 00/yr or
people with visual impairments Some are appli- Free to Controlled Circulation
cable to employment Given the usual paucity of
equipment evaluation data available, this publica- *In the Mainstream, Mainstream, Inc 1200 15th
tion is a real goldmine of timely and useful Street, N W, Washington, D C 20005 Subscrip-
information tion Bimonthly newsletter $40 00/yr
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal Machine Design Penton/IP-, Penton Plaza, Cleve-
American Industrial Hygiene Association, 475 Wolf land, OH 44114 Subscription $50 00/yr or Free
Ledges Pkwy, Akron, OH 44311 Subscription to Controlled Circulation
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Chicago, IL 60606
Materials Handling Engineering Penton/IPC,
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*Bulletins on Science and Technology for the Han- Controlled Circulation
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DC 20036 IL 60068 Subscription $20 00/yr or No Charge
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Computers ar,d People Berkeley Enterprises, Inc ,
Modern Application News A "erner Nelson Asso-
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Subscription $14 50/yr 60035 Subscription $15 CO/yr or No Charge to
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Computerworld Computerorlo, Inc , 797 Washing-
ton Street, Newton, MA 02160 Package Engineering Cahners Publishing Co 270
St Paul Street, Denver, CO 80206 Subscription
Construction Equipment Cahners Publishing Co, $25 00/yr
Inc, 270 St Paul Street, Denver, CO 80206
Personal Computing Hayden Publishing Company.
Design News Cahners Puolishing Co, Inc, 22' Inc, 50 Essex Street, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 Subscription Subscription $18 00/yr
$30 00/yr
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Subscription Free to Controlled Circulation
Plastics Technology Bill Communications, Inc ,
"Homecara/Rehab Product News Miramar Publishing 633 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Subscrip-
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90025 Subscription $40 00/yr or Free to Con-
trolled Circulation. Popular Science Times Mirror Magazines, Inc ,
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nue of Americas, New York, NY 10020 Subscrip-
tion $11300/yr Power McGraw Hill, Inc, 1221 Avenue of Amer-
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Industrial Equipment News Thomas Publishing $11 00/yr
Company, 1 Penn Plaza, 250 W 34th Street, New

101
12 ti
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCESOOK RESNA IOU 101
EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Report. National Center for a Barrier Free En- PRODUCT/EQUIPMENT DIRECTORIES


vironment, Suite 1006, 1140 Connecticut Avenue,
NW. Washington, 0 C 20036. Cunfaci ABLEDATA for specific product information
*Rx Horne Care. Barrington Publications, Inc, 825
Best's Safety Directory
S. Barrington Avenue. Los Angeles, CA 90049. A.M. Best Company, Inc
Subscription: $40.00/yr or Free to Controlled Ambest Road
Circulation. Oldwick. NJ 08858
*Sensory Aids Technology Update Sensory Aids Electronic Engineers Master Catalog
Foundation. 399 Sherman Avenue, Suite 12. Palo United Technical Publications, Inc
Alto, CA 94306. Editor: Sharon Connor Sub-
645 Stewart Avenue
scription: $30/year. Available in either print or Garden City, NY 11530
on cassette. Information about new products,
special employment, education and training pro- *Product Inventory of Hardware. Equipment, and
grams, unusual applications of technology, and Appliances for Barrier-Free Design
what's happening in research and development Second Edition, 1981
Computer hardware, software and interface problems National Handicap Housing Institute, Inc
are discussed; product comparisons any profiled. 12 So. 6th Street, Su.te 1216
Articles have included: Comparison of paperless Minneapolis, MN 55402
braille devices: The MB-2400 and the Versabraille;
Users review IBM's new talking terminal for main-
frame computers; Compuserve: new data base for ThomCat
handicapped users: Telebraille prntotype TDO for Thomas Register
deaf-blind; A look at large FM systems for hearing 1 Penn Plaza
impaired people; Financing adaptive equipment; New York, NY 10117
Vocational guidance too's; Customizing software
programs for speech output. *Tools, Equipment and Machinery Adapted for the
Vocational Education and Employment of Handicapped
*Technical Aid to the 0,..abled Journal. c/o Royal People
Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital, 227 Morrison Road, Wisconsin Vocational Studies Center
P.O. Box 108, Ryde, N.S.W 2112, Australia. Sub- University of Wisconsin-Madison
scription: $10. Madison, WI 53706
787 pages, 283 products
*Tech Brief. Rehabilitation Engineering Center. $33 00
Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas, 1981
Wichita, Kansas Quarterly publication.
*A New Catalog Supplement Tools.
Today's Office Hearst Business Communications, Equipment. di Machinery
Inc., 645 Stewart Avenue. Garden City, NY 11530 Wisconsin Vocational Studies Center
Subscription $30 00/yr or Free to Controlled University of Wisconsin-Madison
Circulation. Madison, WI 53706
671 pages. 231 products
Welding Design and Fabrication Penton/IPC, 314 $32.00
Superior Avenue W Cleveland. OH 44113 Sub- 1983
scription: $24.00/yr The supplement contains descriptions and
illustraoions of 231 products modified for use in
educating and employing handicapped people lnere
are no duplications from the original Tools
catalog.

Yellow Pages of Industrial Equipment and Supplies


Industrial Research/Development
'301 S Grove Avanus
Barrington, Illinois 60010

I')

102 TECHNOLOGY MR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 102


Recreational and
Leisure Technology

1 9 ,,;
RECREATIONAL 11 LEISURE TECHNOLOGY 105

INTRODUCTION: TECHNOLOGY FOR RECREATION 105

FPORT3 .
109

DISABILITY-RELATED NATIONAL SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS 109


NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH INTEREST IN RECREATION FOR DISAbo.D PEOPLE 109

WHEELCHAIR SPORTS 111

SPORTS WHEELCHAIRS 111


BASKETBALL 112
FOOTBALL .
112
MARATHON RACING 112
MOTORCYCLING 112
SOFTBALL 112
TENNIS 112

WATER SPORTS 113

BOATING 113
SCUBA 114
WATERSKIING 114

WINTER SPORTS 115

SKIING 115
SKATING 116

OTHER SPORTS 117

BOWLING 117
GOLF 117
FLYING 117
HUN TING & FISHING 117

ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS 118

AUDIOVISUALS 118

SOME LOCAL RECREATION PROGRAMS 119

LEISURE ACTIVITIES 122

GARDENING 122
MUSIC 122
NEEDLEWORK 123
FITNESS 124
TRAILS 124

TOYS AND GAMES 125

THE VALUE OF TOYS 125


CRITERA FOR GOOD EOUIPMENT 125
CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOY 125
CONCEPT OF CONTROL 126
A NOTE ON SAFETY 126
DO IT YOURSELF 126
PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST IN 1 UYS AND GAMES 126
SOME MANUFACTURERS OF SPECIAL TOYS 127
TOY LIBRARIES 128
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS TOYS & GAMES 'W

PLAYGROUNDS 132

104 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 104


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

1NTROr;UCTION once: between recreetion fe.r able -bodied people


and for disabled neople is the need for additional
This panel discussion on the role of recreation manpower to help with setting things up for dis-
and leisure in the lives of disabled people 19A- abled people's use Technowgy can be very useful
plores ways in which technology can - sort dis- here, since proper design and mechanical assists
abled and able bodied people in removing barriers can elimmate the need for much extra manpower
to participation The discussion was presented at From a disabled person's point of view. this is
the La Jolla Workshop on Science and Technology usually a plus, since most of us do not like
for the Handicapped: Issues in Technology for having to depend on another person any more than
Daily Living, on May 11-12, 1981 The workshop necessary Mechanical adaptations increase
was sponsored by the American Association for the feelings of, and indeed our level of, indepen-
Advancement of Science 1AAAS) dence

The panel members are involved in work related to


recreation and technology QUESTION "How did wheelchair sports and the
development of special equipment for these sports
Chester Land, Director, Therapeutic Recrea- develop?
tion Program, Rancho Los Amigos Hospital,
Downey, California ROY GASH "Wheelchair sports have promoted the
deve i.,pment of better, lighter and more durable
Peter Axelson, Veterans Administration Medi- wheelchairs All of the changes in wheelchair
cal Center, Research and Development Center, design have come about because of disabled people
Palo Alto, California using available equipment and not being satisfied
with it The men and women who participate :n
Marti Hacker, Supervisor of Recreation Com- sports and other recreational activities have
munity Service Center for the Disabled, San developed modified wheelchairs to make them
Diego, California lighter, to fit the sport, and to personalize the
chair to make it fit the indwideal
Roy Gash, Wheelchair Repair Department
Manager, Community Service Center for the "The use of wheelchairs in basketball, track,
Disabled, San Diego, California tennis and off-road activities has promoted the
growth of a new generation of wheelchairs for the
Marro Taylor, Community Service Center for active wheelchair user Wheelchair design has
the Disabled, San Diego, California remained basically the same since the 1930s when
Everest and Jennings started selling their chair
Until the curly to middle seventies, all wheel-
QUESTION "What are some of the psychological chairs were copies of this basic design In the
benefits derived from participating in wheelchair past five fears, however, many improvements in
sports and recreation? wheelchair design have been introduced These
innovations can be traced directly to wheelchair
ROY GASH "1 feel more confident about my physical sports, t, changes have been made by disabled
abilities. Racing has improved my eye/hand co- people thinking about the equipment they use
ordination After finishing a race I feel great
'All of the chairs which were designed for sports
MARTI TAYLOR. "I think it's great for people to are useful for people with arm and hand weakness
compete, physically It's a rewareing experience The newer, lighter wheelchairs on Ole market today
whether it's playing cards or playing football can make the difference between a person being
Competition is important to eve'yone, and sports dependent and independent someone with impaired
competition is especially important arm strength can push his or her own lightweight
chair, whereas it would have been impossible with
MARTI HACKER. "Recreation counteracts the isola- the older models This increased independence is
ting effects of being disabled, it provides a way directly related to the many hours spent deve-
to meet ethers and a chance to participate in loping a better wheelchair
activities with able-bodied friends Recreation
can eliminate the depression that commonly comes "Quality wheelchair hubs for everyday use are
with boredom. Health and a good body image are another result of sports There are several dif-
essential ingredoente of self-image Above all, ferent hubs being manufactured today These are a
though, recreation can provide fun something that great improvement over the standard wheelchair
disabled people often fear will forever be missing hub Many wheelchair users find they greatly
on heir lives. improve the way a chair rolls They, too, ale
especially helpful for wool le with weak hands or
CHESTER LAND. "Everyone owns the right to p' y, arms
to enjoy playful moments and not feel guilty
"Most of the newer equipment on the market today
which enables disabled individuals to compete in
QUESTION "How can technology benefit recreation track basketball, snow skiing and many other
for disabled people? activities is the direct result of a disabled
person or group of disabled individuals designing
MARTI HACKER "One of the most important differ-
_L
o. quality equipment for their specific needs

105 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK PSNA 19b4 105


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

QUEST )N: "What are some of the technologicel teed for a lifetime Even on a very slight in-
adaptations made to wheelchairs for recreation or cline you just roll right down it, you don't push
competitive use' Also you don't have one wheel rolling better than
the other, they both roll a true straight line
ROY GASH: "The wheelchairs used in basketball
were the first to be modified to make the chair
more manageable This was done by adding axle QUESTION "Where can you get Phil Wood hubs'
plates to enable the user to change the center of
gravity Negative camber was created by using a ROY GASH "Go to a bike shop If they carry Phil
camber bracket to spread the frame wider at the Wood hubs, they'll string your wheels for $10 or
bottom than at the top Excess metal was also cut $15
from the frame These changes were standard if a
person wanted to be competitive while playing the
game QUESTION "We see many changes in the manual
chairs, but what about the power chairs?
"Today the majority of people playing wheelchair
basketball use lightweight alloy wheelchairs MARRI TAYLOR "I would like to see more tech-
These range from Quadra, Quickie or Stainless nology put into the design of power chairs I
basketball chairs to locally-made lightweight non- would like to see a chair that can be used in
foldable wheelchairs All of these newer chairs sand, mud, dirt, and any kind of situation I

have adjustable rear axle positions, quick release would like to see wider tires on both the front
rear wheels, adjustable front casters and adjust- and back I would also like to see chairs that
able back heights They also come in any width were not all chrome, so that they don't have tha
desired by the user These new chairs have im- "hospital look" If wheelchairs could be m; nufac-
proved bearings all around, as well as stronger, tured so that they could get across any kind of
improved hubs and front casters They are also terrain, that would be wonderful I'd like to
stronger than the old models help anyone who wants to design that

"The wheelchairs used in track were originally the


same basic wheelchair design The same modifica- QUESTION "What modifications to the terrain are
tions made to the basketball chair were made to necessary to make recreation accessible to dis-
the track chair, except the track chair had more abled people?
weight cut from it Some people used sagged or
sagging upholstery to lower their center of gra- CHESTER LAND "In Los Angeles, there's an acces-
vity Smaller push rims were used to increase sible path to the Marina We constructed a con-
speed crete path under the sand and put rails along it
that you could move m and out of If a person
"Today race chairs are specifically made for wants to go down to the water, there is a chair
racing Race equipment is designed for the indi- available so you won't get your chair all sandy
vidual and his or her disability, using the design and wet You can transfer to the available chair
of the chair to increase speed -rid muscle groups and move on the concrete path down to the water
to their utmost capacity If you want to walk and use canes, you can do
that
"My racing chair is long and low I use 700
centimeter wheels and high-pressure clincher MARRI TAYLOR "Also I've been working with the
tires I also use Phil Wood hubs I use inch- state Department of Parks and Recreation and they
and-a-quarter pneumatics on the front so that I are really willing to make all of the state parks
sit about 13 inches off the ground I have accessible I'm also working with the county
steering handles on the chair becasa on downhills Parks and Recreation Department The more we can
end curves steering is difficult Thuse are sorr a pu-h to have our county parks and state parks
of the adaptations that can be made accessible, the more disabled people will get out
into the public I've always run into an attitude
with people who say, "I've never seen a disabled
QUESTION "What are the benefits of cambered person here," and I look at the flight of steps or
wheels and Phil Wood hubs' the rocks or whatever and I say, "Well, gee wniz,
I wonder why7" It's hopefully up and coming
ROY GASH. "Cambered wheels help for stability and It's going to take a bit of doing, and unfor-
turns You can turn quicker and not have the tunately it's going to take a bit of money, but
likelihood of tipping over There are chairs now there is a need
with variable cambers You can adjust the cambers
with a setting, but they're low production chairs "We're not asking them to pave all their trails
In addition, there are wheels that pop off, just We're asking them to make bathroom facilities
push the button and the wheel comes right off accessible, to make drinking fountains accessible,
That helps as far as putting the chairs in cars or a couple camp sites interspersed throughout the
other places campground that could be made with a little
harder-packed dirt or something like that
"I think it would be hard to improve the Phil Wood There's a new combination of asphalt and dirt and
hubs If I took my wheel and spun it, it would a couple of other weird things they put into it
spin twice as long as any other wheel in here that can make a hard-pack trail There is a trail
without a Phil Wood hub I think they're probably in Northern California I'm not sure how long it
roller bearings, but I don't know for sure what it is but it's a special project and a wheelchair
is. They're waterproof and dirt proof and guaran- I 0 --can go the whole distance,. but that's unusual
,1 <,.. k)

108 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEROOK RESNA IIIII4 106


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

As a disabled person, I'm not asking for total would benefit from integration into the whole of
accessibility, that's impossible If I can't gre, society The responsible application of techno-
from here to there, well, that's too bad but if logy toward rioctOP development and the
there's something that can be done easily, I'm all establishment of downhill ski-sledding protocol
for it. I don't expect the whole world to bs will allow ski programs for the disabled to offer
ramped; it's just not possible integrative downhill skiing to just about every
one

QUESTION. "How can transportation barriers to


recreation be eliminated, QUESTION "How has the ARROYA been received by
disabled and non-disabled skielJ?
MARTI HACKER: "Transportation is truly the fist
barrier to recreation for disabled people Be- PETER AXELSON "Demonstrations of the ARROYA ski-
cause of the expense of specially-adapted ve- sled at various instructor clinics throughout th.,
hicles. many disabled people dc. not drive There United Statas and in Norway generated very posi-
is a tremendous need for inexpensive transporta- tive publicity Each clinic received local news-
tion fix, disabled people, preferably our own ve- paper coverage and some received television
hicles Unfortunately, few solutions have been coverage The objective of this publicity was to
four d, although some seem obviou.; For (Ina mple, make individuals aware of the opportunity for
severely disabled wheelchair users who want to paraplegics to use the ARROYA ski-sled and to
drive have no choice except to use a modified van increase general public awareness of the disabled
Vans cost considerably more than cars, not to community
mention the cost of gas and upkeep One possible
solution would be a small car with Seats removed, 'Unlike many other sports and recreational activi-
allowing the wheelchair user to enter from the ties available to the disabled person, the ARROYA
back of the car, in the wheelchair, from which he allows a ski-sled user to interact naturally with
or she would also drive Such a set-up would also skiers using other types of adaptive equipment
eliminate the need for an expensive lift In e., skis, boots, poles, etc) This type of
addition to getting to recreational events, interaction between ambulatory and non-ambulatory
driving itself can be a form of recreation individuals is not found in "wheelchair sports"
Motorcycles driven from a wheelchair in a sidecar (many recreational activities for paraplegics and
have implemented this idea. Other vehicles, such quadriplegics tend to segregate them from their
as street-legal golf carts, double as recreation ambulatory friends) In fact, able-bodied indivi-
and transportation for some disabled people. Of duals also enjoy skiing in tha ski-sled It is
course, modified bicycles, either three wheelers therefore possible that this ski-sled will be used
or bicycle attachments for wheelchairs, serve the by both ambulatory and non-ambulatory individuals
same purpose for short distances.
"One of the things we have had difficulty with is
getting outside funding for this kind of work We
QUESTION "Whe barrier does cost play in prohi- have submitted propcsals but funding sources don't
biting the availability of chairs and other sports always recognize that recreation actually needs
equipment to average consumers, research We are going to continue to monitor the
evaluation process of the last prototype sled so
ROY GASH: "Wheelchair sports have helped the that we can find a manufacturer that will continue
development of the wheelchair tremendously Mant with the next prototype
individuals are eow designing their own chairs,
and this is bringing about some excellent tech-
nology Price is still a major barrier For QUESTION "Are disabled people who cannot or do
example, if a wheelchair basketball team purchases not wish to be involved in competitive soorts
ten basketball chairs commercially, the cost can relegated to physical inactivity?
exceed $10,000. However, if they have a welder or
a mechanic on the team, they can make all their MARTI HACKER: "There are other recreational acti-
chairs for $1,000, less the wheels. vities which provide excellent ways of improving
muscle tone, coordination, circulation, and
cardio-vascular endurance Most recreational
QUESTION: "What types of ski equipment nave been sports are adaptable for many disabled people, the
developed for physically disabled individuals? type and degree of disability letermine the modi-
fications necessary Swimming is a sport that can
ROY GASH: "There are currently several types of be e, )yed by almost everyone Adaptations for
snow skiing equipment on the market These in- pools include lifts and sloping access for wheel-
clude snow sleds which are compatible with ski chairs.
lifts. There are several large ski areas which
have equipment to loan as well as instruction for "Bowling is another sport that has t' lien adapted
disabled skiers. Peter, why don't you describe for disabled people A special chute can be used
the ARROYA? for those who are unable to roll the ball them-
selves
PETER AXELSON: "The ARROYA is a sled-like device
constructed of reinforced fiberglas. Stemless "Sailing requires help setting up the boat and
steel edges on the bottom surface allow for turn- getting in and out of it -- a possibility for
ing and stopping on varying terrain and in varying technology.
ski conditions. The ARROYA achfresses the neglec-
ted recreational needs of disabled persons who -Waterskung is another sport that has recently
10
C-
107 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEROOK RESNA 11111A 107
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

been adapted for disabled enthusiasts. In San Summary


Diego ski chair called the Aquabat is used
This device consists of a seat attached to two "The right to enjoy leisure time theough a variety
short skis and handlebars Some type of easily or of sports and recreational opportunities is the
automatically released hand gripper needs to be right of all individuals, including individuals
designed for those with insufficient hand with disabilities The benefits involved from
strength participation in recreation and leisure pursuits
are far-reaching. and include pi.ysical, emotional,
"These are but a few of the activities which are and psychological benefits
alternatives to competitive sports One final
word for wheelchair users, each improvement "Wheelchair sports have opened up sports partici-
made in everyday chairs makes participation in patln to wheelchair users As the popularity of
recreation easier and more fun these sports increases, new developments in wheel-
chair design are introduced The popular use of
CHESTER LAND "The disabled .ommunity is now chairs in basketball, track, tennis and otner
beginning to move into the mainstream How many sports has promoted the growth of a new generation
men as childre. wanted to be football players but of wheelchairs for the active user
were not big enough, or wanted to be basketball
players but were not tall enough'? Those were "Other forms of sports equipment are being deve-
handicapping conditions The same situation is loped by the rehabilitation engineering community
now beginning to occur among individuals who use Bicycles and ski equipment are two areas under-
wheelchairs Everyone is not going to be able to going current research and development Camping
play wheelchair sports, but the same leisure and wilderness activities are also becoming more
feeling can be derived from other recreational accessible as national parts and local camping
sports areas begin to make provisions to include persons
with disabilities
MARRI TAYLOR "For me, fishing is something very
individual that makes me feel great I look upon "As persons with disabilities continue to make
fishing as a competi'ive sport as well as basket- their recreation and leisure needs known, advances
ball or anythi ig else Whether I am going to get in technology will continue in this important
that little fish or not is competition enough for area As disabled and non-disabled people con-
me tinue to play together, technology for recreation
will expand and increase acc s to this life
area "
QUESTION "How do individuals who have not been
involved in wheelchair sports gain access to com-
munication networks that exist among technology Addresses of Organizations Referred to in This
experts, Excerpt

MARRI TAYLOR "Valuable information exchanges Mission Bay Aquatic Center


exist among local communities of disabled 1001 Santa Clara Point
athletes, sports enthusiasts, and small business- San Diego, CA 92109
people A major challenge for the future will be
to involve small businesspeople in manufacturing Phil Wood & Company
innovations as they come out of the wheelchair 153 West Julian
competitions Sports and Spokes is a valuable San Jose, CA 95110
publication which contains useful information 408/798 -1540
about wheelchair sports and equipment
Sports 'n' Spoken Magazine
5201 North 19th Avenue, Suite 111
QUESTION. "Are there any national centers where Phoenix, AZ 85015
individuals with disabilities can receive specific 602/246-9426
training in sports 6 J recreation,
Vinland National Center
MARRI TAYLOR "The Vinland National Center in 3675 Ihduapi Road
Loretto, Minnesota is a national healthsports P 0 Bois 308
center which offers training to disabled and non- Loretto, MN 55357
disabled individuals This center provides work-
shops which focus on skill building in a wide
range of physical activities, as well as in the
area of health promotion, stress management, dis-
ability education, and medical self-care skills
Canoeing, running/jogging, swimming, weight and
circuit training, cross country skiing, pulk
skiing and ice sledding; archery, wheeling, an I
poing are some of the skill areas that are ad-
dressed by the center. Vinland also published
Vin-Lines, a quarterly newsletter

1O;

108 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 108


RECREAMONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

SPORTS

"There is hardly any spa-t in which persons with Disabled Sportsmen of America
disabilities do not take part, nor any disability P 0 Box 26
for which there are no special organized games or Vinton, VA 24179
olympiads The opportunities range from local
sports (school, community center, etc) up to International Committee or Silent Sports
state, regional, national, and international com- Gallaudet College
petitions. 800 Florida Avenue, nE
Washington, DC 20002
"During and immediately following World War I, 202/651-5114 (voice or TDD)
interest developed in sports for those persons
with amputations and visual impairments Then, in International Games for the Disabled
1944, the Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke-Mande- Eisenhower Park
ville Hospital in Aylesbury, England, mutated East Meadow, NY 11554
wheelchair sports. In 1962, the British Common- 516/542-4493
wealth Paraplegic Games were founded and held in
Perth, Western Australia lne Pan-American Wheel- International Sports Organization for the Disabled
chair Games were held for the first time in 1967 International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation
in Winnipeg, Canada, and have continued success- StokeMandeville spinal Injury Center
fully in various countries every fourth year In Aylesbury, England
the 1970's the World Zone Games were initicned,
and in 1975, the first Far Eastern and South MoLlity International USA
Pacific Games for disabled persons were held in P 0 Box 3551
Oita, Japan. In 1976, the United States Associa- Eugene, OR 97403
tion of Blind Athletes was founded Also in 1976, 503/343-1284
the Olympiad for Disabled People was initiated and
almost 1,700 athletes with varied disabilities National Association of Sports for Ceiebral Palsy
competed The Annual International Cerebral Palsy United Cerebral Palsy Associations
Games were started in 1979 And the list of 66 E 34th Street
sporting events goes on New York, NY 10016
212/481-6359
"Sports programs enable disabled persons to deve-
lop physical skills and fitness, experience the National Handicapped Sports & Recreation
challenges of competition and the thrills of vic- Association
tory, and be provided with opportunities to help Capital Hill Station
organize and operate sophisticated national and P 0 Box 18664
international programs Denver, CO 80218
303/978-0564
"For disabled persons to participate fully in a
sport, however, equipment, performance technique, National Inconvenienced Sportsman's Association
._-nd game rules may need to be modified" 3738 Walnut Avenue
Carmichael, CA 95608
Sports for Disabled Individuals, Rehab Brief, 916/484-2153
Vol IV No 3, Jan 26,1981
National Inconvenienced Sportsman Association
2215 Allegheny Road
DISABILITY-RELATED SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS El Dorado Hills, CA 95630
These groups mry be able to provide information on National Wheelchair Athletic Association
useful applicatv s of technical aids 2107 Templeton Gap Road, Suite C
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
American Athletic Association of the Deaf 303/632-0698
3916 Lantern Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20902 Outdoor Experimental Education for the Hearing
Impaired
Amputee Sports Association National Technical Institute for the Deaf
George C Beckmann, Jr, President Rochester Institute of Technology
11705 Mercy Blvd 1 Lomb Memorial Drive
Savannah, GA 31406 Rochester, NY 14623
919/927-5408
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Blind Outdoor Leisure Development (BOLD) 801 18th Street NW
533 E Main Street Washington, DC 20006
Aspen, CO 81611 202/872-1300

Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Special Olympics


333 River Road Joseph P Kennedy Foundation
Ottawa, Ontario 1701 K Street NW, Suite 203
CANADA K1L 8B9 Washington, DC 20006
1' 1/4.)
202/331-1346

109 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

Sports for the Physically Disabled National Therapeutic Recreation Society


333 River Road 1601 N Kent Street
Ottawa K1L 8B9 Arlington VA 22209
CANADA 703/525-0606

United States Amputee Athletic Association Outdoor Recreation Technical Assistance


Route 2, County Line Clearinghouse
Fairview, TN 37062 Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service
615/670-5453 Department of the Interior
Washington, D C 20240
U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (2021 343-7962
55 West California Avenue
Beach Haven, NJ 08008 Also see organizations listed under each activity
609/492-1017

United States Wheelchair Sports Fund Vinland National Center


c/o Nassau Community College 3675 Ihduapi Road
Garden City, NY 11530 P.O Box 308
516/222-1246 Loretto, MN 55357

Vinland National Center The Vinland National Center is a health education/


3674 Ihduapi Road sports center for persons with disabilities It
Loretto, MN 55357 is located twenty-three miles west of Minneapolis
The Vinland National Center was started in 1976
with a Bicentennial gift of one million kroner
These national organizations and agencies have from Norway to the American people. Modeled after
shown an active interest in the development of the Norwegian healthsports center, Fieltostolen,
recreation programs for people with disabilities Venland promotes healthy lifestyle changes, as
well as a high quality of life and better health
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, through healthsports training. The "Vinland Con-
Recreation and Dance cept" represents a holistic approach to rehabili-
1900 Association Drive tation Vinland provides a national outreach
Reston, VA 22091 follow-up and support programs for its graduates
when they leave the center and return to their
American Camping Association home communities. In addition, training manuals
Bradford Woods and curriculum guides are available for sale to
Martinsville, IN 46151 disabled persons; family members, and health care,
rehabilitation and education professionals on
American Corrective Therapy Association physical fitness training, sports and recreation
4910 Bayou Vista skills, personal development and health promotion
Houston, TX 77091 topics For further information on courses, ap-
plications and financial aid, contact The Vinland
Boy Scouts of America National Center directly, the phone is 612/479-
P.O Box 61030 3555, .oice or TTif
Dallas/Ft Worth Airport, TX 75261

Camp Fire, Inc


4601 Madison Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64112

Gs I Scouts the U S A
830 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Information and Research Utilization Center (IRUC)


American Alliance for Health, Physical Education
and Recreation (AAHPER)
1201 16th Street, N W
Washington, D.0 20036
(202) 833-5541

National Park Service


Division of Special Programs and Populations
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington, DC 20240

National Recreation and Pad( Association


1601 N. Kent Street
Arlington, VA 22209
703/525-0606
12
110 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1964 110
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

WHEELCHAIR !PORTS

SPORTS WHEELCHAIRS Invacare Corporation


1200 Taylor Street
The first edition of this guide reprinted part of Elyria, OH 44035
an article "Scoring in the Sports Wheelchair 800/321-5715
Market" from Rx. Home Care, May 1982, by Richard
Salzberg. The directory was felt to be a repre- Mastercraft Metal Products
sentative guide to major manufacturers of wheel- P 0 Box 591
chairs and other recreational transport Because Santa Cruz, CA 95061
of the many exciting developments in this area 408/426-6313
within the put two years, this article is now out
of date; a more recent survey is- Motion Designs. Inc
1075 Cole
"Survey of 1983 Sport Wheelchair Manufacturers," Clovis, CA 93612
written by the editors of Sports 'n' Spokes maga- 209/298-1718
zine, in Paraplegia News, September 1983 This
article is the first in what is planned to be an Orthopedia GMBH (Germany)
annual feature comparing manufacturers and their LI S Distributor
products. International Medical Equipment
11000 Rush Street 420
The field is changing so fast that the Guide is South El Monte, CA 91733
already somewhat out of date For the most cur-
rent information, contact the manufacturers Ortop Technical Medical Aids (Israel)
listed, or your local sales representative Many U S Distributor
of the companies have wheelchair athletes on Meditech
staff For comparative information, get in touch 544 10th Street
with wheelchair athletes in your area Palisades Park, NJ 07650
201/974-0500
For a different point of view, see "Tackling the
Sports Wheelchair" by Debra Zauzmer, in RxHome- Posner Wheelchair (France)
Care, November, 1983 This articles provides the U S Distributor
dealer's perspective on the sports wheelchair Magnum International
market It includes a section, "Getting in on the 2930 West Central
Action," which suggests ways dealer support can be Santa Ana, CA 92704
Shown. 714/641-9696
The new developments in sports wheelchairs are Production Research Corporation
profoundly influencing wheelchair developments. 10217 Southard Drive
Expect to see a lot of advertising about new Beltsville, MD 20705
products, and many articles written in both trade 301/937-9633
journals and consumer-oriented publications.
Quadra Wheelchairs. Inc
31117 Via Colinas
SOME MANUFACTURERS OF SPORTS WHEELCHAIRS Westlake Villagv, CA 91362
213/991-6302
Bair Chair 800/324-1068
#6 Seco Court
Sacramento, CA 95823 Spinner Internationalab
916/427-1035 Box 69, S-197 00 BRO Sweden
Telephone +46 758 42200
Canadian Wheelchair Manufacturing Telex 11370 SPIN S
1312 Blundell Road
Mississauga, Ontario CANADA L4Y 1M5 Sports Chairs
416/275-3960 3673 Procyon Avenue
Las Vegas, NE 89103
Equalizer 702/8-'3-6493
274 Buchon St
PO. Box 1296 Stainless Medical Products
San Luis Obispo. CA 93401 9386 Dowdy Drive
San Diego, CA 92126
Everest & Jennings, Inc 619/578-6820
3233 East Mission Oaks Blvd
Camarillo, CA 93010 Theradyne Corporation
805/987-6911 21730 Hanover Street
Lakeville, MN 55044
Hall's Wheels 612/469-4404
15 Marlboro Street 300/323-4014
Belmont, MA 02178
617/489-3246

1"6
t..

111 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 111


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

Wheeler Dealers Basketball


P.O. Box 856
Avondale, AZ 95323 National Wheelchair Basketball Association
110 Seaton Bldg
X-L Enterprises University of Kentucky
2003 Palm Avenue Louisville, KY 40506
Chico, CA 95926 606/257-1673
916/891-3535
Playing and Coaching Wheelchair Basketball E
Owen University of Illinois Press, Champaign,
PUBLICATIONS IL 400 pages 1979

"Competitive and Recreational Wheelchair Sports


Paralyzed Veterans of America Washington, D C Football
1978,8 pp. (Brochure)
Rehabilitation-Education Center
Constitution and Rules, Training Techniques and University of Illinois
Records. National Wheelchair Athletic Associa- Oak Street at Stadium Drive
tion Woodside, NY, 1977,131 pp Champaign, IL 61820

"A Look at Wheelchair Sports and What's Happening The Silver Wheels Wheelchair Football
in the Northwest" Stotts, Kathleen and Warren, G 109 Florence Avenue
Model Systems, Scieri,e Digest, Spring 1982 Buffalo, NY 14114

National Wheelchair Athletic Association


2107 Templeton Gap Road, Suite C Marathon Racing
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
303/632-0698 International Wheelchair Road Racers Club
12710 N 30th Street
Paraplegia News, 5201 N. 19th Avenue, Suite 111, Tampa, FL 33612
Phoenix, AZ 85015, %%12) 246-9426 Monthly maga- 8 3/977-8824
zine pub'ished by Paralyzed Veterans, August 1981,
Vol 35, No 8 "The Sporting Life," (special National Spinal Cord Injury Foundation
issue on wheelchair sports) 369 Elliot Street
Upper Newton Falls, MA 02164
"The Psychology of Wheelchair Sports" Labanowicz,
Stan, Ph.D, Therapeutic Recreation Journal, Vol National Wheelchair Marathon
11, No 1, pp 11-17,1978 Paul DePace
380 Diamond Hill Road
Sports'n Spokes, 5201 N 19th Ave , Suite 111, Warwick, RI 02886
Phoenix, AZ 85015, (602) 246-9426, Magazine pub-
lished bi-monthly on wheelchair competitive sports
& recreation Motorcyling

Wheelchair III Report of a Workshop on Special- Wheelchair Motorcycle Association


ly Adapted Wheelchairs and Sports Wheelchairs Dr Eli Factor
The report was developed out of the third in a 101 Torrey Street
series of workshops sponsored by RESNA and the Brockton. MA 02401
Vete -ns Administration Rehabilitation Research 617/583-8614
and Uevelopment Service Available from RESNA.
Suite 402,4405 East-West Highway, Bethesaa, MD
20814 $10 00 Softball

National Wheelchair Softball Association


P 0 Box 737
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHEELCHAIR SPORTS Sioux Falls. SD 57101

National Wheelchair Athletic Association


2107 Templeton Gap Road, Suite C Tennis
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
303/632-0698 National Foundation for Wheelchair Tennis
3857 Birch Street
Box 411
Baseball Newport Beach, CA 92680

National Wheelchair Softball Association International Foundation for Wheelchair Tennis


PO Box 737 2203 Timberloch Place, Suite 126
Sioux Falls. SO 57101 The Woodlands, TX 77380
713/363-4707
1 3 il

112 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1954 112


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

WATER SPORTS

Boating Doubleday & Co., Inc, Garden City, NY 1977

"Although boat modifications and adaptations cover American Red Cross Methods in Adapted Aquatics
a wide range, handholds and handrails are the most A Manual for the Instructor American Red Crqss,
common additions. However many disabled people Washington, DC 1977
do not need to make any significant modifications
to their craft Camp Confidence Waterfront Program-Summer The
Camp, Box 349, Brainerd, Minnesota 56401 1973
"There is a risk involved in boating (as in all
sports), but safety regulations and procedures are John Chartres & Douglass Hurndall "They Said We
designed to minimize this risk, even if all of it Couldn't Do It RYA Seamanship Foundation, Vic-
cannot be eliminated However, since part of the toria Way, Working, Surrey, GU12 IEO England
challenge of boating is its risk, many of the 1981
benefits for the disabled persons would be lost if
all the challenges of the sport were removed Nancy Crase "Wheelchair Boating" Sports 'n
Even so, every boater should wear, or have imme- Spokes, 1 (4), 11-14, November-December 1975
diate access to, a properly fitted Personal Flota- Describes various types of boats suitable for
tion Device Aboard a small craft, the device people in wheelchairs
should be worn at all times"
Diane Duryea "Another Kind of Handicap
"Sports for 0 .ebled Individuals," Rehab Yachting, Oztober 1976, 86-87
Brief, Vol 14, No 3, January 26, 1981
Matthew Guidry "The Challenge Expanding Hori-
Disabled boaters have formed their own organiza- zons of Aquatic Programs for the Handicapped"
tion, the Handicapped Boaters Association, which Presentation at Protect Aquatics Workshop,
seeks to further the safa participation of dis- Seattle, WA, and Columbia, MO November, 1975
abled people in recreational boating and related
activities throughout the country The associa- Handicapped Boaters Association "Boating World,
tion publishes a bimonthly magazine, Boating World Unlimited" January-February 1981, Vol 1, No 1
Unlimited New York, NY

These programs have information on equipment Bob Hawkes "Sailing If One Paraplegic Sails
selection and adapting equipment for boating Others Surely Can Tool" Sports 'n Spokes, Nov-
Dec, 1977, 3 (4), 8-9
Handicapped Boaters Association
PO Box 1134 Harold Hayes "Sailing Blind" The New Beacon,
Ansonia Stition December, 1970 Royal National Institute for the
New York, NY 10023 61ind, London, England

Wilderness Inquiry Eugene Hedley, Ph 0 Boating for the Handicapped


2929 4th Avenue South Guideline for the Physically Disabled Human
Minneapolis, MN 55408 Resources Center, Albertson, NY 1978
612/827-4001
Carol Hogan "She Took Her Wheels to Sea" Sail_
Mission Bay Aquatic Center United Marine Publisning, Inc., Boston, MA Dec
1001 Santa Clara Point 1977, pp 88-90
San Diego, CA 921:19
Human Resources Center National Recreational
Adapted Boating Program Boating for the Physically Handicapped Strategy
Office of Parks and Recreation Paper and Annotated Bibliography Human Resources
Sailboat House Center Albertson, NY 1978
1520 Lakeside Drove
Oakland, CA 94612 Syd Jacobs Information on Whitewater Kayaking
415/444-3807 for the Handicapped 209 Columbus, Port Angeles,
WA 98362,206/452 -4253
Publications
Wallace J Lynch "Canoeing for Recreation and
R C Adams, A Daniel, A& L Rullman "Para- Rehabilitation" Parks and Recreation 1972, 20-
Canoeing." Games, Sports and Exercises for the 21, 46
Physically Handicapped, 3rd Edition Lea and
Febiger, 600 Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA Tim Marshall "Solo Sail Racing The Challenger
19106 S2850 1982 a In-martin 'T hat's Fast, Safe and k.;c4ssible"
Sports 'n Spokes, March-April 1980 5(6), 5-6
Advisory Panel on Water Sports for the Disabled,
The Sports Council. Water Sports for the Dis- Lee Anna MiGlzarek & Rolf H Mielzarek "Reaching
abled The Hillingdon Press, Uxbridge, England Out + Reasonable Risk = Growth Adventure" Chal-
lenge, November 1975, 11 (1), 1, 3
American Red Cross. Adapted Aquatics Swimming
for Persons with Physical or Mental Impairments -. Oral 0 Miller Four Years at the Oars 3701
A1.3
)

113 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEIOOK RESNA 1984 113


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGV

Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. watts Skiing

National Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children Water skiing can be a new and exciting recrea-
and Adults. Year-Round Recreation Programs for tional experience for many disabled people The
the Handicapped. National Easter Seal Society, American Water Ski Association has .dicated its
Chicago, IL. 1973 interest in working with groups to help introduce
the sport to people with disabilities
Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation Open
Boating. Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation, American Water Ski Association, Attention Bruce
Water Safety and Boating Program for the Disabled, !Custer, P 0 Box 191, Winter Haven, FL 33880
1520 Lakeside Drive. Oakland CA 94812 1982 A
handbook about Lake Merritt's Adapted Boating Waterskiing for the Physically Disabled Mission
Program for the Disabled. Chapter 4 has a de- Bay Aquatic Center, 1001 Santa Clara Point, San
scription of facilities, equipment considerations Diego, CA 92109 This manual is a guide for the
and categories, building and stocking a work summer camp, school, recreation department or any
space Chapter 5 describes a team approach to other group that wishes to institute a disabled
teach',ig, designing and making adaptive equipment waterski program It includes instructions for
ane devices An award-winning documentary, "Open adapting a monosku and one skiseat
Boating," is also available in either 18 mm film
or videotape formats Water Sports

David C Park "Recreation" The White House Water Sports for the Disabled Sterling
Publishing Co, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY
Conference On Handicapped Individuals, Vol. I
Awareness Papers, pages 119-131 Washington, D C $1895 1983
May 1977

Joan Reed "Sightless Sailing. a Reality in


Seattle" Nor' Westing, Dec 1977, 13(2), 7-13

Scuba

Articles on divers' nutrition, physical fitness


and beach accessibility are the fare in a new
publication for physically handicapped people who
scuba dive or who would like to learn how to scuba
dive S,:uba Quarterly Undersea International
Digest (SQUID), published by the Handicapped Scuba
Association. offers diving advice and information
from experts in underwater education SUUID also
sponsors a national form where diving instructors
discuss scuba teaching tips, results, and sugges-
tions Subscriptions cost $18.00 per year, and
are available from.

Handicapped ScuLa Association, 1104 El Prado, San


Clemente, CA 92672 714/49E-6128

Another organization with information on this area

Professional Association of Diving Instructors,


2064 N Bush Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706

Some publications are

Scuba Diving for the Handicapped Project Michael


Beaman. Handicapped Scuba Association, 1104 El
Prado, San Clemente, CA 92672 21 pages June
1978

Scuba Diving for Physically Handicapped Program


James Comic) Institute of Rehabilitative Medi-
cine, 400 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 100018,
212/879-3200, eat 217.

114 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 114


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

WINTER SPORTS

"Many disabled people can now enjoy skiing and The ARROYA is a simple sled-like device with no
skating. In 1971, the Winter Park Handicap Re- moiing parts The skier learns to control the
creational Program IR Winter Park, Colorado, began direction and speed of the ARROYA by developing
to teach people with ..-.71putations how to ski Now, various downhill skiing skills The ARROYA con-
people with 29 different types of disabilities are sists of four stainless steel edges that face
also taught to eiow to ski At some winter re- inward benoath a composite shell The skier sits
sorts, a 1..!:ral skier may tako to the slopes in in a molded seating system that links the user to
tandem with a sighted companion who provides the slee, much like the traditional downhill skiers
directions by verbal command or by means of a foot is secured within a ski boot The ARROYA is
light harness One-i6ijtjed skiers are equipped currently being manufactLred by Beneficial De-
with two arm-braced outrigger skis to give them a signs, 5858 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 A
three-pronged balance list of skiing programs that use Arroya can be
obtained from Beneficial designs A cross-country
"Beginning ice skaters who lack muscle strength, sled is available from Mountain Smith, Inc, 12790
coordination, or who are overanxious may use a W 6th Place, Golden, CO 80401, (303) 238-5823
skate aid for support until they gain confidence
The collapsible aid is used much as a chair is For more information on training programs and
used for support, but the aid is more stable and events related to pulk skiing, sled skiing, ice
evenly balanced Although blind and deaf people sledding and dog sledding
need no special equipment for skating, blind
skaters would probably feel more secure with Alaska
sighted partners, and a source of music centrally
located may be helpful for orientation" Alpine Alternatives
1634 W 13th
From "Sports for Disabled Indwiduals," Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Rehab Brief (907) 276-7526
Vol IV. No 3, Jan 26, 1981 Marty Decker, Director

Arizona
Skiing
Handicapped Unbound. Inc
Arroya a downhill skiing system specially de- P 0 Box 1044
signed for persons with physical disabilities Prescott, AZ 86302
Arroya User/Instructor Manual available from:
Peter W Axelson, Rehabilitative Engineering Re- California
search & Development/153, 3801 Miranda Avenue.
Palo Alto, CA 94304, (415) 493-5000 x4473. Environmental Traveling Companions
Fort Mason, Bldg C
Colorado Outdoor Education Center, P 0 Box 897, Room 3B
Breckenridge, CO 80424, (303) 453-6422. San Francisco, CA 94123

Kick the Handicap, Learn to Ski. A Handbook of NHYSRA Lake Tahoe Chapter
Information for the Physically Handicapped Larry Young
Sbeler, William E. Marlette, Michigan Adapted Box 1636
Sports Association, 1977, 123 pp. Truckee, CA 95734
(Incline Village, Lake Tahoe)
National Amputee Ski Technique National Amputee (916) 587-3911
Skiers Association. Carmict.ael, CA 1970, 91 pp (Alpine)

Pulk Skiing. Sled skiing and ice sledding for Tahoe Handicapped Ski School
persons with mobility impairments 1 11 Larry P 0 Box 2633
Orr, Vinland National Center. PO Box 308, Olympic Valley, CA 95730
Loretto, Minnesota 55357 (916) 583-7584
Katherine Hayes, Director
The Winter Park Amputee Ski Teaching System,
O'Leary, H Available from Winter Park Ski Colorado
School, P O. Box 313, Winter Park, CO 80482,
(303) 726-5514 x179 Colorado Outdoor Education Center
P 0 Box 697
Breckenridge, CO 80424
INTEGRATED SKIING In an effort to facilitate (303) 453-6422
integrative recreational sporting activities, a Bruce Werber, Director
downhill skiing system called the ARROYA was in-
troduced in 1979 at the National Handicapped Ed Luchs
Skiing Championships Development of the ARROYA P 0 Box 5429
downhill skiing concept was funded by the Rehabi- Snowmass Village, CO 81675
litative Research and Development Center at the (303) 923-3294
Palo Alto Veterans Administration Medical Center (Alpine)
1
115 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1N14 115
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

Horizons for the Handicapped New York


PO. Box 2143
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 Outdoor Experimental Ed for the Hearing Impaired
1303) 879-4466 National Technical Institute for the Deaf
Rochester Institute of Technology
Horizons for the Handicapped 1 Lomb Memorial Drive
Laura Canfield Rochester, NY 14623
P 0 Box 2143
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 Utah
(303) 879-4466
(Alpine) Adaptive Outdoor Recreation
Ken Sleight Expeditions
Winter Park Recreational Assoc 349 S 600 East
6o. 36 Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Winter Park, CO 84082
(303) 726-5514, ext 179 Peter Mandler
(Alpine) 2273 Aubur Lane, Apt 6
Hal O'Leary, Director Salt Lake City, L, : 84117
(Snowbird, Alpine)
Connecticut (801) 272-7420

United Deaf Skiers Association Washington


Attention Mr Gutfran
Two Sunset Hill Road Ski for All Foundation
Simsbury, CT 06070 521 Wall Strew, Suite 326A
(203) 244-3070 Seattle, WA 98121 (Snoqualmie Ski Summit)
(206) 623-2714
Minnesota (Alpine)
Chris Colb, Executive Director
Courage Alpine Skiers
do Courage Center Duluth International
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 727-6817 Track Three Ski
(Alpine skiing) Box 1260
Station Q
Lynx Track Will Steger Toronto, Ontario
P 0 Box 785 CANADA M4T 2P4
Ely, MN 55731
(Interdisciplinary programs in dog-sledding Karsten Inde
and winter travel) Maraton Produkter
Ekbacka 19700BR0
Minnesota Outward Bound School Sweden 0758140522
308 Walker Avenue South Postgro 878391-2
Wayzata, MN 553(,',1 Barkgiro 289-8500

Ski for Light HEALTHsports, Inc New Zealand Asscc for Disabled Skiers
1455 W Lake Street P 0 Box 241?
Minneapolis, MN 55408 Christchurch New Zea'ald
(612) 827-3611 Gillian Hall/Director
(Annual February week-long X-C Ski event
with blind/sighted/mobility impaired
also regional events) SKATING

Vinland National Center International Council on Therapeutic Ice Skating


3675 Ihduapi Road P 0 Box 13
Loretto, Minnesota 55357 State College, PA 16801
(612) 473-3555
Larry Orr/Director

Wilderness Inquiry II
2929 4'r Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612/827-4001
(Summer and winter travel programs)

New Hampshire

Outdoor Wilderness Program


Crotched Mountain Ce,iter
Greenfield, NH 03047

11 1....0

116 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 116


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

OTHER SPORTS California Wheelchair Aviators


Bill Blackwood
Bowling 1117 Rising Hill Way
Escondido, CA 92025
American Blind Bowling Association (Paraplegia flight instructor Iniormation
15 N Bellaire Avenue on planes, instruction, hand controls cock-
Louisville, KY 40206 pit accessible wheelchairs )

American Wheelchair 8ow Association Soaring Society of America Inc


Robert Moran, Executive Secretary Box 66071
6718 Pinehurst Drive Los Angeles, CA 90066
Evansville, IN 47711 (213) 390-4448
812/862-6503
Ed Stadleman
Wheelchair Bowling. Jim Lane and Dick Schaaf
P 0 Box 207
(eds.) Available from Wheelchair Bowlers of
Southern California, 6512 Cadiz Circle, Huntington Sturgis, Kentucky 42459
Beach, CA 92847 Softcover 96 pages $7 95 (Aircraft hand controls
plus $1 00 shipping
Union Aviation Inc
Sturgis Airport (i
Golf Sturgis, KY 42459
(In residence pilot training fo. disabled
The Amputee Golfers Association people, portable airaft hand controls )
Lakeview Terrace Watch..mg, NJ 07060
Wheelchair Pilots Assoc
Dennis Walters, Jr 11018 102nd Avenue, N
8952 NW 10th Street Largo, FL 33540
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024 (813) 393-3131

John Klein Some publications on flying are


1016 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara. CA 93109 "Flying Beyond the Handicap" Kenneth W Smith
AOPA Pilot, October 1982, pages 68-73
National Amputee Golf Foundation
George C Beckman, Trustee "A Multi-Purpose Recreational Vehicle for the
Warm Springs, GA 31830 Disabled", Nigel Shapcott, R E, and Michael Her-
rich, R E Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Con-
Peter Longo Golf Show ference on Rehzoilstation Engineering, San Diego
P 0 Box 27283 Available from RESNA, Suite 402. 4405 East-West
Temple, AZ 85282 Highway. aethesda, MD 20814 1983

Western Amputee Golf Association "Powered Ultralignts and the Disabled Pilot",
Ed Bryant. Sec Treasurer Michael J Heinrich, R E, and Nigel Shapcott,
R E Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Conference
118 W Swain Road
Stockton, CA 95207 on Rehabilitation Engineering, San Diego Avail-
able from RESNA, Suite 402, 4405 East-West Hign-
way, Bethesda, MD 20814 1983

Horseback Riding
Flying has attracted increasing numbers of dis-
abled people with the availability of FAA-approved
portable hand controls Boarding seats and/or North American Riding for the Handicapped
Association (NARHA)
door modifications are helpful in improving acces- Box 100
sibility for some types of aircraft There are
Ashburn, VA 22011
several wheelchair pilot groups around the country
that encourage and support private flying and help
steer disabled participants through the licensing National Foundation for Hap, Horsemanship for the
bureaucracy Handicapped
Box 462
Malvern, PA 19355
American Wheelchair Pilots Association
Dave Graham
P 0 Box 1181
Mesa, AZ 85201 Hunting & Fishing
(602) 831-4282
Disabled Sportsman of America
P 0 Box 26
Vinton, VA 24179

!17 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 117


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS. SPORTS AND RECREATION

Access to Recrwatinn Archrtacturl And Tranc- the R!.n4 and Physically Hitrtritr.t.ppit,-1, Th+i, i .t-. :.y
portation Barriers Compliance Board Washington, of Congress, Washington, DC 1979
D.C. 1977, 70 PP
Sports and Recreational Programs for the Child and
Bibliography on Recreation, Play and Sports Young Adult with Physical ility Proceedings
Rehabilitation International Postfach 131 409, of the Witter Park Seminar, Winter Park, CO,
6900 Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany, 11-13, 1983, $10 prepaid from the American Academy
1975 of Orthopaedic Surgeons, PO Box 7195, Chicago, IL
60680 How to assess the orthopaedically disabled
Competitive Athletic Programs for Impaired, Dis- child's activity, possible adaptations for various
abled and Handicapped F _rsons American Alliance sports and recreational activities available
for Health, Physical Education and Recreation program resources, competition classifications,
Washington, DC, 1973 18 pp and bibliography

Directory of Renieation & Leisure Services For Sp_orts Centers and Swimming Pool Walter, Felix
the physically handicapped in the I., 3 Angeles Disabled Living Foundation, 346 Kensington high
area. 132 page directory $7 95 + tax & mailing Street, London W14, England, 39 pp, 200 pouinds
Christianson, Mickey A, 11066 Gonsalves Place, Pecommends design standards for sports facilities
Cerritos, CA 90701, 1213) 924-2159 Available and swimming pools, a id ancillary equipment for
from author use by disabled persons

Eg_uipment foi the Disabled, Vol 6, Leiure and "Teacher-made Adaptive Devices for Archery, Bad-
Gade.,s National Fund for Research into Crip- minton, and Table Tennis" J Cowart Practical
pling Disease 2 Foredn, ',iv- Yobtslade, Pointers, May 1978, (13), 1-16 Contains guide-
Brighton, BN4 2BB, E- lines for making a aptations of physical education
equipment for students with disabilities Adapta-
"Familier Sports and Ac Is Adapted for Multi- tions are suggested for archery, badminton, and
ply Impaired Persons" PAM Repeater, No 22, table tennis equipmeot Each idea is designed to
Februaiy, 1984 Published by the PAM Assistance compensate for a specific functional limitation
Centre, 601 Maple, Lansing, MI Construction steps are described and drawings are
provided
Games, Sports and Exercises for the Physically
Handicapped, 34d edition Adams, RC, Daniel, A Textbook of Sport for the Disabled Guttman, Sir
& Rulln L Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, PA Ludwig Alden Press, London, England, 1976, 184
1982 $2u 60, 400 pages pp

Outdoor Pursuits for Disabled Feople, Croucher, Therapeutic Recreation and Adapted Physical Educa-
Norman 1981, 11,0 p Woodhead-Faulkner Ltd, 8 tion within Rehabilitation Collingwood, Thomas
Market Passage, Cambridge C82 3PF, England, 4 75 R Hot Springs, Ark, Arkansas Rehabilitation
Ls Research and Training Center, 1971, 44 pp

Physical Activities for the Handicapped Vannier, Vin-Lines Quarterly newsletter from Vinland
Mary Helen Prentice Hail, Inc, Englewooc National Center, 3675 Ihduapi Road, P 0 Box 308,
Cliffs, NJ 01632, 1977, 338 pp Loretto, MN 55357

Physical Activities for Individuals witr, Handi-


capped Conditions Delores Geddes 2nd edition, AUDIOVISUALS
1978 C V Mosby Company, St Louis, MO
Annotated Listings if Films Physical Education
Recreation A Bibliography National Easter Seal and Recreation for Impaired Disabled, and Handi-
Society, 2023 West Ogden Avenue, Chictgo IL capped Persons American Alliance for Health,
60611 Revised annually Physical Education, and Recreation 3rd edition,
128 pp, ann c h', price $795
recreation and Leisure for Handicapped Individuals
Resource Guide U S Department of Euication, A Closer Look Bo bara J Maresca Available
Office of Human Development Services, Office for from Film Arts, P 0 Box 468, Graton, CA 95444
Handicapped Individuals, DHEW Publication No 16mm, color, 15 mins 1981 Explores wheelchair
(OHOS) 79-22004 experiences, fot.using on wheelchair basketball,
hiking, other activities, and design and main-
"Recreation fur the Disabled", Jo Lockhart, MS A tenance of the chair Phillip Morgan shows his
chapter in Disability and Rehabilita on Handbook, design and construction of a lightweight wheel-
Goldenson, et al, McGraw-Hill, 1978 chair Stresses mobility and independence

Recreation for Physically Handicapped Pomeroy, Crystal Productions Catalog, Box 12317, Aspen, CO
Janet. Ma-:millan Publishing Company, 866 3rd 81612, (303) 925-8160 List of sports & rehabili-
Avenue, Near York, NY 10022 (Out of print) tation films about amputee, C P & blind skiing,
spinal cord injuries
Sports and Games for the Handicapped, Reference
Circular No 79-1 Nations, Library Service for It's Abilift Am Counts Rehcbrilm/RFRL, 20 West

118 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENIANT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1384


RECREATIOWAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

40th Street, New York, NY 10018 16 mm. color, All Seasons Riding Academy
32 minuter Sale $365 00, rental $25 00 Sir Therapeutic Riding Program
Ludwig Guttman introduces this V.hICh so ef- 43510 Osgood Road
fectively illustratss the results of his life Fremont, CA 94538
work, interspersing competition at the Stoke- 41E/651-7330
Mandeville Games with leisure activities
Amputees in Motion (AIM)
Not Just A Spectator Rehabfilm/RFRL, 2J West 1539 W 11th Avenue
40th Street, New York, NY 10018 16 rim, color, Escondido, CA 92025
35 minutes Sale $350 00, rental $25 00 Pam Stahl, President, San Diego
colorful and exciting film that covers a wide 717/747-6054
variety of leisure activities for tile disabled, Jerry Bahlquist, Coordinator
including spelunking, rock-climbing, sailing and 714/729-9403
water-skiing Lord chapters in San Diego and Los 1,ngeles,
social & sports get-togethers, hospital
Riding Towards Freedom Rehabfilm/RFRL, 20 West visitation program
40th Street, New York, NY 10018 16 mm, color,
32 minute' Sale $36500, rental $25 00 Horse- Berkeley Outreach Recreation Program
back riding for the disabled has come into its 605 Eshleman Hall
own, and Riding Towards Freedom shows 'II aspects University of California
of the activity from the organization of riding Berkeley, C.:. 94720
classes to mounting methods and games The great
value of the sport to all those involved is clear- California Wheelchair Athletic Association
ly 'xmonstrated P 0 Box 2648;
San Jose, CA 95159-6483
Water Free Rehabfilm/RFRL 20 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018 16 mm, color, 35 minutes Environme.itai .raveling Companions
Sale $35000, rental $2500 The first in a Fort Mason, Building C
series of specialized offshoots from Not Just A Ror,-.i 3B
Spectator, Water Free explores swim-training for an Francisco, CA 94123
all ages and levels of skill in detail It in-
cludes survival training and a swim in the English Indoor Sports, Inc
Channel 3445 l rumbell
San Diego, CA 92106
SOME LOCAL RECREATION "ROGRAMS Orange County Riding Center. Inc
Therpoeubc Riding Program
Arizona Stables
Lake Forest Riding Club
Handizapped Unbound, Inc 25201 Trab,jco Road
P 0 1044 El Toro, CA
Prescott. A/ 86302 Office
602/445-5076 23011 Moutlon Parkway, Suite C-6
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Ca:.. 714/837-8225 (office)
714/728-3669
Adaptive Physical Education
College of Mann Recreation Center for the Handicappt._
Sir Francis Drake Highway 207 Skyline Blvd
Kelitheld, CA 94904 San Francisco, CA
Laurie Lsnham, RPT 415/665-4100
415/4 -9654 Programs for children and adults
Disabled Student's Office
415/485-9406 Santa Barbara Community Golf Course
John Klein
Adaptive Recreation Program 3500 McCaw Avenue
Andy Fleming, Coordinator Santa Barbara, CA 93105
City of Santa Barbara
620 Laguna Street Colorado
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
Scuba diving for paraplegics Colorado Outdoor Educatior Center fr the
Handicapp ,,
Adaptive Rehabit i.iion Physical Education PO Box 697
De Anza Junior '.-',ege Breckenridge, CO 80424
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd
Cupertino, CA 95014 Michigan
408/996-4873
Adapted Sports Association, Inc
Communications Center
6832 Marlette Road
Marlette, MI 48453
1 1:,
119 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING !i0tIRCIEBOOK RESNA 1954 119
RECREATIONAL AND LEKSURE TECHNOLOGY

Minnesota

Courage Center
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55422
612/588-0811

HEALTHsports, Inc
Louise Lana
1455 W. Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612/827-3611

Wilderness Inquiry II
2929 4th Avenue South, Suite 0
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612/827-4001
New Hampshire

Outdoor Wilderness Program


Crotched Mountain Center
Greenfield, NH 03047

Ohio

Adaptive Sports Program


Kinesiotherapy Clinic
University of Toledo
2801 West Bancroft Street
Toledo, OH 43606

Indoor Sports Club


1145 Highland Street
Napoleon, OH 43545
419r92-5756

Canada

Toronto Bulldogs Wheelchair Sports Club


c/o Lyndhurst Hospital
520 Sutherland Drive
Toronto, Ontario M4G 3V9 CANADA

120 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEGOOK RESNA 1984 120


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

For information. see also. National Organizations oz. the Rake only 32 oz They are perfect tools
listed under SPORTS. for everyone, but are ideal for those who cannot
lift a heavier tool Whether young or old, or
simply disposed to the ease and convenience of a
GARDENING light tool, these will please ali"
One of my favorite equipment catalogs is Smith &
Hawken Catalog for Gardeners (25 Corte Madera, With this approach in mind, it becomes easier to
Mill Valley, California 94941, (415)383-4415) evaluate other products in regular gardening cata-
logs to determine if they will meet your special
It's always a joy to read beautiful photos needs (editor)
and/or drawings, lively text, and a strong empha-
sis on quality products. Until the Spring '84
issue, my catalog always stayed at home It now Equipment for the Disabled Leisure and Gardening
joins my "Technology for Independent Living" (Fifth Edition) Edited by E R Wilshere and G M
files, because Smith & Hawken has begun a section Cochrane 1983 109 pp Oxford Regional Health
called "Enabling Tools Authority. 2 Foredown Drive Postslade,
Brighton, 3N4 288, ENGLAND
"We are proud to offer a selection of tools we
call 'Enabling Tool: This covers a broad area, Leisure and Gardening has recently been updated
and includes implements for older and younger It is one in a series of volumes dedicated to
people, for those whose limbs and muscles are not presenting equipment related information to "those
as strong as they once were, for the hand,capped, professionally concerned with the care of physic-
or simply for people who want lighter and handier ally handicapped people of all ages (These
tools.... they include carts, kneelers, special
books) provide guidelines to help in the selection
grips and a wonderful selection of modular tools of equipment and suggest ways of overcoming dif-
from Gardena in Germany. Although Dave and I ferent problems." They can also be used directly
are still reasonably young and hearty, these tools by disabled people The materials are useful and
will certainly find a place in our toolshed as detailed, unfortunately, the fact that the volumes
they offer superior value and flexibility." are compiled in England can be a limiting factor'
in using some of the material p,esented
This integrated marketing approach is especially The section on gardening, however, is quite uni-
obvious in two of the entries versal Most of tbe equipment is avallaole for
export, or can be closely approximated in the U S
"CHILDREN'S TOOLS
There are tips on setting up an access.ble green-
"These are scaled down versions of our regular house,, pruning one's Zrces with ease, and laying
toola for those with less muscle, less space or out an accessible and easy upkeep patio garden
fewer years. They are built to the same quality that can be used by persons anywhere
specifications as all Smith & Hawken tools One
of the frustrations for children in beginning One reviewer's comment was "Where else in the
gardening is that no one has taken sem...Ay the world can one go to locate comparative information
making of children's tools. These down-scale on garden hoes for persons with disabilities?"
tools give the child an immediate sense of the
purpose and effect of a normal tool, and are Greenhouse Design for the Handicapped University
perfect teaching aids for classroom use The T- of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 18 pp 1967 Avail-
handles permit small hands a good two-handed grip able from NARIC NARIC Accession #EI 7701-002977
Their durability allows years of use and wear
All of these tools are suitable for senior citi-
zens or the handicapped, as well as for those who
garden on balconies, rooftops, or patios" MUSIC

Settlement Music School's Programs for the Handi-


"SUPERLIGHT TOOLS capped, S Archibald Leacock, Director
"I discovered these on a recent trip to England, These programs began in 1976 as a pilot program
and almost o:a.iooked them as they were being with 30 students Today these programs provide a
produced and sold by a company known solely for creative and stimulating musical experience to
it: excellent boat fittings At first glance, I almost 500 physical': and visually disabled child-
thought them to be aesthetically beautiful, but ren and adults throughout the Delaware Valley, and
could not see their utility that is. until I have attracted both locai and international atten-
picked one up They are extremely light, and tion Distinguished violinist Itzhak Perlman is
despite that, they are very strong It would take honorary chairman of The Therapeutic Music
a company making yacht fittings to realize the Program, jazz great George Shearing is honorary
need for both strength and lightness Each tool chaierman of the Visually Handicapped Program
4: made of aluminum allow that is anodized so that
it will not oxidize and turn black as cast alumi- The Settlement Music School plans to expand these
num tools do. The Hoes and Edger weight just 24 programs to include a National Music Information
1
21 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDEKI LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1154 121
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

center for the Handicapped NEEDLEWORK

AR disabled individuals, are invited to share in CI dative Cite-het L Caider $7 95 plus $1 GO


these innovative and unique programs For further postage Penguin Books, 625 Madison Avenue, New
information, contact Settlement Music School, Post York, New York 10022 For those with the use of
Office Box 25120, Philadelphia, Pernsylvania, only one hand, the detailed design instructions
19147; telephone (215)336 -0400 and special basic technique make crocheting sur-
prisingly simple Illustrated in full color
The National Technical Institute for the Deaf has throughout Paperback also available
adapted musical equipment for more than 500 deaf
musicians by using amplification and equalization The Not-So-Nimble Needlework Book Iris
techniques. NTID uses the latest technical equip- Rosenthal Grosset & Dunlap, 51 Madison Avenue,
ment to teach deaf students to check their pitch New York, NY 10010 160 pages. illustrations
visually Light emitting diodes indicate to deaf Paper $5 95. 1977
musicians the accuracy of their pitch If the
line of dots moves up, the pitch is sharp, if it Aids to Make You Able Wendy Davis Fred
moves down, the pitch is flat, and if the line of Sammons, Inc, Brookfield, IL 114 pages $695
lights is stable, the musicians have the correct 1979
pitch For more information, contact Bruce Hal-
verson at 716/475-6253 The Source Book for the Disabled Glorya Hale,
editor Paddington Press, Ltd Distributed by
NOTE-ABLE Grosset & Dunlap, New York 1979

A newsletter on music for persons with physical "Sewing Machines." The English Journal of the
limitations. The emphasis is on adapted musical Consumers' Association, Which, Joined with con-
instruments and methods which can be used by dis- sumer organizations in nine other countries in a
abled people report on "electronic" sewing machines As part
,+f this international test, thrt e sewing machines
The newsletter is written by Paige Finnerty, a emerged which can be specially adapted for use by
musician and vocational rehab counselor To re- disabled people These are Bernina 830H (Handi-
ceive the next issue, send a self-addressed cap), Switzerland; Husqvarna Viking 6270, Sweden,
stamped enveloped to NOTE-ABLE, c/o Rancho Los and the Husqvarna Viking 6690, Sweden The
Amigos Hospital, 7601 E Imperial Highway, 500 Bernina comes fitted with aids to make it more
Hut, Downey, CA 90242 suitable for people with physical and sight dis-
abilities The Husqvarna machines can be supplied
Clinically Adapted Instruments for the Multiply with kits, one for the physically handicapped and
Handicapped Cynthia Clark and Donna Chadwick. a second for the blind and partially sighted. In
Magnamusic-Baton, 10370 Page Industrial Blvd., St the report, the point was made that no sewing
Louis, Missouri 63132 Phone 314/427-5660 192 machine not even one specially adapted will
pages. 1980. This book describes adaptations suit everybody The is, try out a variety
which can be made to a variety of melody and of sewing machines before buying
rhythr instruments (some of original design) used
in music therapy. Photographs or dra vings are See also CLOTHING, page 62
included with each description

Guide to the Selection of Musical Instruments with


Respect to Physical Ability and Disability
Magnamusic-Baton, 10370 Page Industrial Blvd, St
Louis, Missouri 63132 197 pages 1982 This
book describes in detail the physical mobility
necessary to play most band and orchestral instru-
ments. Each instrument is discussed in terms of
range of motion, strength, dexterity, etc

Make Your Own Musical Instructe-.ta Muriel Mandell


and Robert E Wood Sterling Publishing Co,
Inc, 419 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
126 pages. 1977

Treatment with Music A Manual for Allied Health


Professionals. Karen J Miller, RMT, MOT, OTR/L
Techniques manual containing basic music activi-
ties, techniques, and equipment appropriate for
use in the treatment of physical dysfunction
Barbara A. Rider, Chairperson, Occupational
Therapy Department, Western Michigan University,
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008

14;

122 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOUPMOOK RESNA 111114 122


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

FITNESS
TRAILS
Adams, Ronald, Alfred Daniel and Lee Rtillman
There is d national network of special recrea-
Games, Sports, and Exercises for the Physically tional facilities and "barrier-free" trails
Handicapped. 3rd ed. Lea and Febiger, Phila-
delphia, PA, 1975
designed especially for people with disabilities
For more information on barrier-free trails and
facilities in your area, contact the Forest Ser-
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education vice Field Office nearest you A complete list
and Recreation Testing for Impaired, Disabled and
can be obtained free of charge by writing to
Handicapped Individuals Washington, D C Recreational Staff, USDA Forest Service, PO Box
2417, Washington, DC 20013 Request Forest Ser-
Collingwood, Tom and Robert Carkhuff Get Fit for vice Publication No 13
Living. Human Resource:. Development Press, 22
Amherst Road, Amherst, MA 01002 1976

Dance Slimnastics Ltd. "Armchair Aerobics" Arm-


chair Aerobics is a special exercise program
developed by ()trice Slimnastics Designed for the
physically limited person, all of its exercises
car be done while seated. Dane Slimnastics Ltd,
P.O. Box 367, Port Washington, WI 53074
414/375-2502

Iron Athlete Training Center, Mark Lescoa, Mana-


ger, 1940 E. University Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281
Write for information about a persoitalized weight
lifting program

Milligan, G Timothy Fitness is Free, BA You


Have To Work For I: A physical fitness program
for spinal cord iniared persons June 1975
Arkansas Rehabilitation Research and Training
Center. University of Arkansas, Little Rock.

Milligan, Ili:, Physical F.tness Training for


Rehabilitation Clients University of Arkansas,
Little Rock, 1975.

Pollock, Dr. Michael L "Arm Pedaling as an En-


durance Training Regime for the Disabled" Arch-
Ives Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
Vc!ur..e 55. #9, September 1974, pp 418-424

Wheelchair Workout is $13 50 plus $1 00 postage


Write 12275 Greenleaf Avenue, Potomac, MD 20854

123 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPEI `rENT LIVING SOURnEBOOK RESNA 1184 123
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

TOYS AND GAMES

THE VALUE OF TOYS TOY :SELECTION

Howard C. Shane Exceptional Equipment for Exceptional Children


The Children's Hospital Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts "Good plat/things should hat,: these character-
istics
"There seems to be a growing realization that toys
should be an intricate part of childhood regard- o free of detail as possible
less of the presence of a handicapping condition o versatile in use
This becomes apparent if one talks with distribu- o easily comprehended
tors of communication aids, visits evaluation o large, easily manipulated parts
centers for nonspeaking children, reads Communica- o involve child in play, including large
tion Outlook or talks with persons interested in muscles
biomedical technology There are countless num- o encourage cooperative play
bers of children's toys ma.keted Some require o material that is warm and pleasant to touch
activation by another person through winding, o durable
cranking, blowing or puppeting which creates a o work as intended
relatively passive participation on the part of o safe
the child Yet children generally attain skill o generous in proportions and quantity
levels requisite for independent interaction with o price based on durability and design
these same activation mechanisms In contrast,
handicapped children have extremely limited oppor- "The special child needs special equipment, but
tunities to engage in independent toy manipula- that is not all It is the purpose of therapeutic
tion Irrespective of cost, the modified toys are equipment to enable the child as far as possible
simply fewer in number On a more promising note, to participate in normal life and in normal play
toy modification is experiencing a tremendous This calls for an integrated approach to equip-
boom. Often a simple modification can be per- ment, providing special equipment to allow the
formed on any battery operated toy (For speci- child to play and standard equipment to play with
fics refer to C Wethered in Communication Out-
look, Vol 2, No 2) One possible explanation "The integration of special and standard equipment
for he growing popularity of adapted toys is the is especially important when mainstreaming re-
growing number of children fitted with switches quires that every child be educated in the least
for the purpose of controlling an automated commu- resaictive environment A swing with inter-
nication aid These control switches can in fact changeable standard and special seats can be a
provide a secondary function when interfaced with real asset, or a r=kmg boat ,ich accepts a
a toy For some children additional skill train- special vestibular board which any child would
ing is required before they ca' actually control a enjoy
communication aid effectively highly reinforcing
and motivating toys allow for enjoyable experi- "The possibilities are endless With a little
ences while training for reliable switch control imagination you can find the perfect combination
In the Communication Enhancement Clinic at the of special and standard equipment
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Boston, for
example, switch fitting is initially accomplished from Criteria for Selecting Play Equipment for
by interfacing a child with a toy Early Childhood Education, Rifton Equipment,
Rifton, New York
"We recogni'e the importance of toys for children
in that they provide endless hours of entertain-
ment In addition to enjoyment, toys foster the Choosing the Right Toy
development of pre-linguistic and cognitive
skills, such as attending, motor coordination, "It is quite an art to choose the right toy at the
sorting, matching and categorization, schemes for right level for a handicapped child Normal
causality, object permanence, etc I emphasize children are more accommodating and active in
that accessible toys have been particularly un- searching out a suitable toy and finding an appro-
available until recently Toy adaptation has priate way of playing with it
gained popularity for children with cognitive
and/or physical limitations Since federal legis- "Our problem with the handicapped child is not
lation mandates equal educational opportunities that there are too many toys for them but that
for all children, educational facilities are re- there are too few toys of the right sort The
quired to design programs to promote development main purpose of this book 's to help you choose
in all the prelinguistic and cognitive areas just the right toy for your child "It is very diffi-
mentioned for which toys are so important Thus, cult to achieve a careful match between commer-
more widespread availability and utilization of cially ava.lable toys and your child's present
modified toys should ensure more stimulating and abilities At this point you will begin to appre-
challenging learning environments for all ciate the need for special toys One of the
children" features of the toys that we will be describing is
that you can adjust their level to suit your
Reprinted from. "Communication Outlook", Vol 3, child A simple idea, but as yet, a novel one in
#1, April 1981 the world of toys"
"Making Toys fe' Handicapped Children"

124
lilt;
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCE111001( RESNA 1154 124
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

The Concept of Control


PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST
IN TOYS AND GAMES
"Toys modified for the handicapped may represent a
child's first understanding of cause and effect Linda Barr, Technical Resource Centre
The opwation of a control inteticii,e connected to Alberto Children's Hospital
a toy is an excellent way of introducing control Child Health Centre
of an object in the environment as well es pro- 1820 Richmond Road, S W
viding an early, simplistic association with a Calgary, Alberta T2T 5C7
technical device which may be a forerunner for
future, more complex aids Many electronic and Linda J Burkhart
electrical toys can be modified for control by an 8315 Potomac Avenue
interface using a battery interface This device College Park MK 20740
serves as an interface between the batteries of
the toy and the control interface" Rehabilitation Engineering Center
University of Tennessee
A listing of appropriate battery-operated toys is 682 Court Avenue
available from the Prentke Romich Company, Shreve, Memphis, TN
Ohio
Trace Center
Battery interfaces are available commercially from University of Wisconsin Madison
companies such as Prentke Romich and ZYGO, or you 314 Weisman Center
can make them yourself (see D-I-Y, below) 1500 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53706
A Note on Safety Margrit Beesley
Augmentative Communication Service
Though disabled children may have some special Ontario Crippled Children's Centre
needs to consider when selecting toys, the need 350 Rumsey Road
for safety is the same as for any other child Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R8
Easter Seals (2023 W Ogden Avenue, Chicago IL Arselia Ensign, Director
60612) distributes Playing It Safe A Safety PAM Assistance Centre
Checklist far Children's Toys, reprinted from '.he 110 Marshall Street
Journal of American Insurance, Fall, 1977 Lansing, MI 48912

Howard C Shane, PhD, Director


DO-IT-YOURSELF (D-I-Y)
Communication Enhancement Clinic
Children's Hospital Medical Center
You can make adapted toys, there are instructions 300 Longwood Avenue
in several of the books and pamphlets listed in Boston, MA 02115
the publication section. Also see the section on
CONTROL. page 201 Peggy Tyler
528 1/2 N Buckeye
Toy Adaptation Chris Wethered Canadian Asso- Wooster, OH 44691
ciation of Toy Libraries, 50 Quebec Avenue, Suite
1207, Toronto, Ontario M6P 4B4 CANADA 14 pages Peggy Barker
June 1979 basic nformation needed to adapt Rehabilitation Engineering Center
battery-operated toys for activation by disabled Children's Hospital at Stanford
children 520 Willow Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Guidelines for Adapting Battery Operated Toys 415/327-4800
Revised 1982 Jayne Higgins The 25 page booklet
.ncludes procedures and materials for making a Deborah (Aden, Ph D
pillow switch, touch panel switch, and on -of' Smith-Kettlewell REC
switch. Toy to in-line jack procedures are also 2232 Webster
given which permits easy and immediate interchange San Francisco, CA
of different switches to the toy Step-by-step Toys for blind children
illustrated instructions are included as well as
information on common pitfalls and problems In- Steven Kanor, Ph D
formation on where to obtain materials and toys 10 Lefurgy Avenue
through nation wide stores is included e Sears Has'ings -on- Hudscn, NY 10706
catalog; Radio `...hack catalog) All switches are
relatively inexpensive to make ($2 0045 00)
Available from California Avenue School, Jayne
Higgins. Speech Pathologist, 215 W California
Avenue, Vista, CA 92^R3 $3 00

Toy Modification Note Build It Yourself Battery


Interrupter Gregg Vanderheiden Trace Center,
Madison, Wisconsin
14

125 TCCHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK PIESNA 11114 125


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

SOME MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF SPECIAL TOYS

You can obtain toys from Huntercrah


Special Toys for Special ,:hildren
Abbey Medical Sherborne, Dorset
3216 El Segundo Blvd England
Hawthorne, CA 90250 Phone (093581-2288)

Able Child Steven Kanor, PhD


154 Chambers Street 101 Lefurgy Avenue
New York, NY 10007 Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
212/255-0068
Mid-Canada Medical
The Aidis Trust to Aid Disabled & Elderly People 1230 Crestlawn Drive
4 Stour Close Mississauga, Ontario
Shillingstone, Blandford Canada
Dorset, England
Kurt Naef
Behavioraids CH-4314
1210 West Alameda Drive Zeiningen, Switzerland
Tempe, Arizona 85282
P....tke-Romtch Co
Brad's Toys 8769 Township Road 513
P0. Box 12 Shreve, Ohio 44676
Prospect Height, IL 60070
J.A Preston Corporation
Discovery Toys 60 Page Road
Paula Fogleman, 0TR Clifton, NJ 07012
3900 Sharp Road
Glenwood, MD 21738 Rifton Equipment
3C1/442-1833 Rifton, NY 12471

Education Technology Center Special Friends


Box 64 P O. Box 1262
Foster, Rhode Island 02825 Lowell, MA 01853
401/822-4622
Telegraphics
Electronic Handicapped Equipment, Ltd P 0 Box 1061
1165 Portland Avenue Carrollton, Texas 75006
Rochester, NY 14621
716/544-9060 Touch Toys, Inc
303 Ritchie Highway
Equipment Shop Rockville, MD 20852
P 0 Box 33
Bedford, MA 01730 Toys for Special Children
101 Lefurgy Avenue
Exceptional Play, Inc Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
PO Box 1015 914/478-0960
Lawrence, Kansas E6044
Zygo Industries
G E Miller, Inc P O. Box 1008
484 S Broadway Portland, Oregon 92707
Yonkers, NY 10705

H & H Hagland & Hanses HB Toys and games for blind children are available
Borganasagen 20 from these sources
2-781 31
Borlange, Lweden American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Customer Service Division
Handicapped Children's Tech Services 15 W 16th Street
RFD 2, Box 60B New York, NY 10011
Foster, Rhode Island 02825
American "ranting House for the Blind Incorporated
The Handlers (AMPHBI)
P O. Box 13178 1839 Frankfort Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85732 P 0 Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206

Science Products (for the Blind) (SFS)


Wayne Box A
Southeastern, PA 19087

126 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SLUiegBOOR RESNA 1114 126


RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE VrCHNOLOGY

TOY LIBRARIES

Children-1 with special needs often do not nave me and professionals


same access to toys as other children One solu-
tion to this problem is to start a Toy Library One project pursued by ACTIVE is the publication
which makes toys available to children in the same of worksheets which contain designs for a range of
way that regular libraries make books available to play, leisure and communication aids not available
people A toy library provides access to a wide commercially The designs a,e submitted by ACTIVE
variety of high quality playthings for children, members
and especially for infants and pre-school
children For further information, contact ACTIVE, Seabrook
House, Darkes Lane. Potters Bar, Herts EN6 2HL,
Children respond best to novelty and frequent ENGLAND
change in their playthings The variety of
various toys required to supply this diversity of
play experiences are, unfortunately, beyond the CANADIAN TOY LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION
means of most households What better solution 50 Quebec Ave, Suite 1207
than to have a whole range of developmental toys Toronto, Ontario M6P 484, Canada
to borrow?
USA members of Canadian Toy Libraries Associa-
Some toy libraries, such as The Daisy Toy Lending tion include
Library exists as a support service and resource
for the handicanoed child's parents, his prime California
teachers. When parents can play with a child in a
relaxed fashion, yet still promote the sequence of Daisy Toy Lending Library
learning through informed choice and use of toys, 890 Morse Avenue
the child may progress faster and farther, Sacramento, CA 95608
building up confidence in his own abilities, and
have fun in the process The library is designed The Toy Chest
to strengthen parental competence in stimulating 2371 Stanwell Drive
the developmentally delayed child Concord, CA 94520
Some toy libraries also have TOYMOBILES, mobile Connecticut
vans that bring the collection to the community
Click Industries Ltd
For more information on toy libraries 66b Rolling,Padge Road
Stamford, CT 06903
TOY LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION
Florida
ARK, a publication of the Toy Libraries Associa-
tion, is concerned with the establishment and Tallahassee Toy Library
upkeep of toy libraries The journal lists new 410 1/2 N Bronough Street
toy libraries and contains information on building Tallahassee, Florida
and buying toys AR< al:A) cuntains a section
entitled "Activity" which reviews various programs Illinois
sponsored by local ACTIVE groups throughout the
United Kingdom ACTIVE menibers develop communica- Chicago Public Library
tion ai,s, education aids and play aids for both ChilJren's Services Spec
children and adults who experience handicaps 425 N Michigan
Chicago, Illinois 60611
"Activity" also includes news about groups with
subscriptions to ARK, a review of reference books Children's Services
and news of radio and television shows concerning Champaign P L & Info Ctr
persons who experience handicaps 505 So Randolph
Champaign, Illinois 61820
For further information, write ARK, The Journal of
The Toy Libraries Association, Seabrook House. Glenview Public Library
Wyllyotts Marwr, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Herts 1930 Glenview Road
EN6 2HL. ENGLAND Glenview, Illinois 60025
Attn M Kraut
ACTIVE
Indiana
The stated airy of ACTIVE, with groups located in
Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Indiana State Library
throughout Europe, is to help children and adults Serials Section
who experience handicaps to lead more independent 140 N Senate Avenue
lives ACTIVE is affiliated with the Toy Lib- Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
raries Association Membership of TLA/ACTIVE
totals 800 persons. These individuals come from a
variety of backgrounds, including those who ex-
perience handicaps, the.e friends and relatives,
.143
127 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1084 127
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

Maryland Toys of Love


201 Wick Avenue
Harford County Library Youngstown, Oh.o 44503
100 Pennsylvania Avenue
Bel Air, Maryland 21214 Oregon
Attn: M Jaugstetter
Dr Caroline Bauer
Worcester County Library 6535 S W Chelsea
307 N Washington Street Portland, Oregon 97223
Snow Hill, MD 21863
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library
PAM Assistance Centre 5410 Baum Boulevard
601 Maple Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Door County Toy Library
Ms Janet Cahill c/o Kathy White
3611 37th Ave N E #209 833 Michigan
Minrsapolis, MN 55421 sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 54235

Moorhead Public Library Ms Nancy Elsmc


Lake Agassiz Regional Library 75 7th Street
P 0 Box 699 Racine, Wisconsin 53403
Moorhead, MN 56560
Mead Public Library
Toys 'n Things 710 Plaza 8
906 North Da.e Sheboygan, WI 53081
St Paul, Minnesota 55103

Nebraska A directory of toy libraries (not specific to, but


including libraries with toys for disabled child-
Bellevue Public Library ren) has been published by Toys N Things Press,
1003 Lincoln Road 906 N Dale Street, St Paul, MN 55103,612/488-
Bellevue, Nebraska 68005 7284 Contact Jean Nicol for me re information

New Jersey Hidden in Play Lekotek is a documentary film that


shows children in Scandinavia and the United
Mrs Geri Schumann States using Lekoteks -- toy libraries for child-
5 Amherst Place ren who experience handicaps The libraries'
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043 trained staff members choose toys for the child's
particular developmental needs and help parents
New York guide their child's development through play

The Adnel and Evelyn Harris Toy Library The film follows the real experiences of eight
for Handicapped Children children discovering their local Lekotek Two
United Cerebral Palsy of Westchester centers are features, one in Baerum, Norway, and
David G Osterer Cerebral Palsy Center the other, the first American Lekotek, in
King Street & Lincoln Avenue Evanston, Illinois
Town of Rye, NY
1914) 937-3300 The 28-minute film won the Blue Ribbon in Child
Development Films at the 1982 American Film Festi-
Ohio val, a Golden Eagle from CINE, and second place in
the Programs and Facilities category at the Sixth
Mentor Public Library International Rehabilitation Film Festival Dis-
8215 Mentor Avenue tributed by Filmedia Limited, the color film is
Mentor, OH 44060 available in 16mm or videocassette for sale or
rental For further information, contact Filmedia
Ms Helen L Orringer Limited, 1201 W Chase Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626
2151 Evansdale Avenue
Toledo, OH 43607 The address for the Lekotek in Evanston is
Lekotek, 613 Dempster Street, Evanston, IL 60201,
Toy Library for Special Children 312/328-0007
Cincinnati Center for Developmental
Disabilities Although it is not a lending library, The Able
Children's Hospital Medical Center Child (154 Chambers Street, New York NY 10007) has
Cincinnati, OH 45229 a wheelchair-accessible play area and professional
513/559-4626 advisors to select toys and play equipment TAC
is a resource center with aids for all ages Free
catalog

i23 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCES 401"


4 RESMA HIM 128
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

SEL"TED PUBLICATIONS TOYS AND GAMES

"Adapted Games and Developmental Motor Activities larger mu cle groups Games can be played with a
for Children" Michael Mersa llo, MA. and Dennis minimum of equipment Activities are grouped in
Vacante, MA, 4608 Exeter Street, Annandale, VA order of difficulty and include learning games
22003. $8 50
Excellent drawings supplement the text Extensive
bibliography
"Adapting Audio/Video Games for Handicapped
Learners" Teaching Exceptional Children Part The Good Toy Guide The Toy Library Association,
I V t 14, #2, November 1981.
Part II Vol 14, Potter's Bar, Herts, England ENG 2AB 1980
#3, December 1981 Single copy available from
Council for Exceptional Children, 1920 Association Guidelines for Adapting Battery Operated Toys
Drive, Reston, .'A 22091 $3 50 The material Revised 1982 Jayne Higgins The 25 page booklet
for these articles is excerpted from Audio/Visual includes procedures and materials for making a
Games for Severely Handicapped Learners Possibi- pillow switch, touch panel switch, and on-off
lities and Simple Adaptations by Karen Hughes, switch Toy to in-line jack procedures are also
produced by the National Media Materials Center given which permits easy and immediate interchange
for Severely Handicapped Persons Part II fea- of different switches to the toy
tures special adaptive equipment checklists for Step-by-step
illustrated instructions are included as well as
adaptations that need to be mado, suggestions for information on common pitfalls and problems In-
do-it-yourself projects, and more profiles of toys formation on where to obtain materials and toys
and games
through nation wide stores is included (i e Sears
catalog, Radio Shack catalog) All switches are
"Adapting Toys for Children with Disabilities" relatively inexpensive to make ($2 00-$5 00)
The Exceptional Parent Celia Schoeffler with Available from
Sandra Brooks Cal,fornia Avenue School, Jayne
August, 1982 Higgins, Speech Pathologist, 215 W California
Avenue. Vista. CA 92083 $3 00
"Adaptive Controllers for Video Games and Com-
puters." Ken S Yankelevitz Proceedings of the Homemade Innovative Play Equipment for Activities
Sixth Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engi- in Physical Education and Recreation for Impaired,
neering, San Diego Available from RESNA. Suite Disabled and Handicapped Participants 1973
402, 4405 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814 Available from Council on Exceptional Children,
1983
1920 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia
Choosing Toys and Activities for Handicapped Guide to Mattel Toys for Parents of the Visually
Children Jill Norris Toy Libraries Associa-
Handicapped Child Write to Toys for Special
tion, Seabrook House, Wyllyotts Mancr, Darkes Children, Mattel Toys Division of Mattel, 5150
Lane, Potters Bar, Herts, England ENC 2AB 1974 Rosecrans Avenue MS504, Hawthorn, CA E 250
"Communication Outlook" Artificial Language Lab- Hear end Say .,ys for Children with Hearing,
oratory, Computer Science Department, Michigan Speech and Language Difficulties Susan Knowles
State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 Noah's Ark Publication Available from Toy Lib-
Communication Outlook is a quarterly newsletter raries Association, Herts, England 1978
addressed to the community of individuals inter-
ested in the application of technology to the Homemade Battery Powered Toys and Educational
needs of persons who experience communication Devices for Severely Handicapped Children, Second
handicaps due to neurological or neuromuscular edition Linda Burkhart, 8315 Potomac Avenue,
conditions Communication Outlook is edited and
College Park, MD 20740 50 pages $5 00 plus
published jointly by the Artificial Language Lab- $1 00 postage and handling 1982 This book
oratory, Michigan State University and the TRACE gives simple directions for constructing toys and
Center for the Severely Communicatively Handi- switches that can be easily operated by severely
capped, University of Wisconsin It is the prin- and profoundly handicapped children No special
cipal publication of ISAAC Subscriptions are $10 skills are needed to make them All supplies can
($12 outside North Americal Subscriptions are be fount around the house or purchased inexpen-
for whole volumes (4 issues) Single copies are sively at local stores
available for $3 00
One example is a head
control switch The materials cost about $2 50
and takes about half an hour to construct The
"Instructions for Constructing a Large Area Flap switch is attached to the child's head with a
Switch (AFS) to Allow Disabled Children to Con- barrette and plugged into a toy or tape recorder
trol Battery Operated Toys" G Fraser Sham When the child lifts his or her head, the music or
Biofeedback Research Project, Rehabilitation Engi- toy turns on, thus giving the child a reason to
neering Department, Ontario Crippled Children's lift their head This book has a wide range of
Centre, 350 Rumsey Road, Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R8 applications and should be useful to parents,
Canada. November 1980 teachers, specialists of vision, hearing, speech,
physical and occupational therapists and other
Educational Games for Physicanv Handicapped friends of me 1,andicapped
Children Crotty and Breen Available from Fred
Sammons, Inc, Box 32, Brookfield , IL 60513 Makiny Toys for Handicapped Children Roy
Love Publishc,,g Company, 1777 South Bellaire McCorkey and Dorothy Jeffree Human Horizons
Street, Denver, CO 80222, $4 93 A 90-page Series, Souvenir Press Ltd, 43 Great Russell
booklet of recreational games which involve the 1 A Street, London, England ISM Provides parent
14V
129 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1984 129
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

and teachers with simple instruction on ho,, to The book is divided into two sections The equip-
make toys especially designed to stimulate the ment section includes materials and instructions
development of mentally and phrtanally handicapped needed for roak.ng eq..uprnent The adaptat.olii
children Photographs and drawings illustrate the section tells how to make special measurements and
construction of each toy, and accompanying sugges- changes in design for a particular child's needs
tions show how to use each toy for maximum benefit The materials used to construct the equipment are
to the child This is an excellent book on making principally wood, cloth and plastic
and using low-cost toys
Toys for the Physically Handicapped Child
Let Me Play Dorothy Jeffree, Roy Mc Co, key and Margret Beesley Augmentative Communication Ser-
Simon Hewson Souvenir Press, London, England vice, Ontario, Canada 1982 Available from
1977 Toys for the Physically Handicapped Chid, 53
Fairmeadow Avenue, Willowdale, Ontario M2P 1W8,
Let's Play Gamest National Easter Seal Society CANADA
for Crippled Children and Adults, 2023 W Ogden
Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60612 Toys Help A Guide To Choosing Toys For Handi-
capped Children Canadian Association Toy Lib-
"Making Toys Accessible" Communication Outlook, raries, 1207-50 Quebec Avenue, Toronto, Ontario
Vol 2, No. 1, September, 1979 Barry Romich, Canada M6P 4B4 $7 00 1981 Toys Help is a
Prentke Romich Company, 8769 Township Road 513, five-part information kit which introduces the
Shreve, Ohio 44676 therapeutic and educational uses of toys and also
offers the basic information needed to set up a
Meeting the Needs of the Handicapped A Resource toy/play based therapeutic project The kit con-
for Teachers and Librarians C H Thomas and J L tains a rationale and model for conceptually
Thomas, editors. Oryx Press, Phoenix, AZ 440 understanding toy-based therapy (unit 1), criteria
pages. 1981 for selecting potentially beneficial toys (unit
More Homemade Battery Devices for Severely Handi- 21, a chart listing 100 toys and their uses (unit
3), administrative and practical suggestions for
capped Children with Suggested Activities Linda
Burkhart, 8315 Potomac Avenue, College Park, MD the storage and cataloging of toys, including
20740 $12 50 1982 A continuation of the
basic information for starting a toy library (unit
4), and a number of suggestions for modifying
first book. Includes a section on suggested acti-
vities for incorporating these devices into the commercially available toys (ur.'t 5) Also in-
child's program cluded are the titles of several books art-
icles, names and addresses of tov suppliers ai.:1
No Cost, Low Cost Playthings Toys for Fun and agencies or organizations involved with and in-
Learning Demonstration and Research Center for terested in helping children through the use of
Early Education, John F Kennedy Center for Re- toys
search on Human Development, George Peabody Col-
lege, Nashville, TN 37203 The Use of Current Technology in the Design and
Construction of Simple Inexpensive Teacher Made
PAM Repeater "Toys-Toys-Toys and Learning " Response-Contingent Educational Materials for the
Maurine Otos, State Coordinator of Deaf-Blind Severely and Profoundly Handicapped Population
Services, Oregon School for the Blind PAM Chris E Wethered 1978 Master's Thesis, Uni-
Repeater is published by the PAM Assistance versity of Miami Available from Chris
Centre, 601 Maple, Lansing, Michigan Wethered, c/o University of Tennessee, Rehabilita-
tion Engineering Center, 1248 La Palorna, Memphis,
TN
Title unknown, "A publication with directions for
making simple toys from scrap and recycled items
Touch Toys, Inc, 303 Ritchie Highway, Rockville, "The Value of Toys" Communication Outlook, April
MD 20862 $3 00 1981, Vol 3 Number 1 Howard C Shane, Ph 0,
The Children's Hospital Medical Center, Boston,
MA
Toy Adaptation Chris Wethered Available from
Canadian Association of Toy Libraries, 50 Quebec
Avenue, Suite 1207, Toronto, Ontario M6P 4B4 Wobble Switch Toy Control Switch A Do It Yourself
Guide Ben Brown 1980 3 pages Available
Canada 14 pages June 1979 Basic information
'waded to adapt battery-operated toys for activa- from TRACE Center, University of Wisconsin,
tion by disabled children Madison, WI 53705

Play Helps--Toys and Activities for Handicapped


Children Roma Lear William Heinemann Medical
Books, London, England 1977

Prattle and Play. Equipment Recipes for Nonspeech


Communication Faith Carlson Media Resource
Center, Meyer Children's Rehabilitation Institute,
444 South 44th Street, Omaha, NE 68131 $5 00
The book is aimed toward both professionals and
parents who are interested in building toys or
communication devices for nonverbal children The
book is arranged in "recipe format," like a cook-
book, making it suitable for the novice.
14:),
130 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCIEBOON NESNA 19114 130
RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TECHNOLOGY

PLAYGROUNDS

Access to Play A Design Criteria for Adaptation


of Existing Playground EqtApment for Use by Handi-
capped Children. Contact Pittsburgh Architects
Workshop, Inc, 237 Oakland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
15213 102 pages. 1979. The ideas presented
emphasize adaptation of existing equipment to make
public playgrounds safer and more accessible for
both normal and handicapped children Dimenr..ions,
diagrams, and detailed descriptions are provided,
as well as a fine bibliography

The Design of a Pre-School Therapeutic Playground


An Outdoor Learning Laboratory Ronnie Gordon
Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, 400 East
34th Street, New York, NY 10016 52 pages
1972 Describes the design and development of an
outdoor therapeutic playground area for disabled
children in which space, equipment and activity
areas are consistent with the education goals of
the IRM The equipment shown has been custom
built, but could be adapted using less expensive
materials.

An Instructional Playground for the Handicapped


Using Tires as Inexpensive Playground Equipment
Activity and Construction Manual The University
of the State New York, The State Education
Department, Division for Handicapped Children,
Special Education Instructional Materials Center,
55 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12234 50 pages
1975

Playground for all Children Book I, User Groups


and Site Selection, 52 pp, ($3 30) Book II,
Design Competition Program, 49 pp, ($1 60) Book
III, Resource Volume, 153 pp, ($3 50) U S
Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Government Printing Office 245 pp These three
boo _ tam to the construction of public
playgroup. .esigned for integrated play between
handicapped and ale-bodied children Booklet I
describes the children who are expected to use it
and the background research studies for the pro-
ject Booklet II deals with the design competi-
tion devised for the city of New York to encourage
the widest variety of approaches and solutions
Volume III documents the development of the play-
grounds and deals with process and product

Piav-rounds For Free The Utilization of Used and


Surplus Materials in Playground Construction
Paul Hogan MIT Press, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142. 252 pages
197'1 Shows how to obtain discarded materials,
such as tires, telephone poles, and cables, and
how to construct playgrounds out of them The
emphasis is on involving community residents in
building their own playgrounds

150
131 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 19114 131
Technology for
Personal Mobility

151
TECMPP`LOGY FOli PERSONAL MOBILITY 135

MOMITY DEVICES 135

SEATED WHEELFD SYSTEMS 135


MOBILITY DEVICE EVALUATIC GUIDE 135
WHEELCHAIR CONTROL SYST,MS 145
BATTERIES FOR WHEELCHAIRS 146
INFORMATION RESOURCES ON WHEELCHAIRS 147
SOME COMMERCIAL SOURCES OF WHEELCHAIRS 149
R&D ORGANIZATIONS 152
WHEELCHAIR STANDARDS 1c2
MOPILITY -- BEYOND SEATED WHEELED SYSTEMS 153
CHOOSING & USING OTHER TYPES OF MOBILITY ECU1PMENT 153
(WALKING AIDS, LIFTS, ETC I
PROTECTIVE AIDS 153
MOBILITY FOR BLIND PEOPLE 154

SEATING AND POSITIONING TECH''OLOGY 156

INTRODUCTION 156
THE FUNCTION OF A WHEELCHAIR Cl!-HION 156
PRESSURE RELIEF 157
POSTURAL SEATING 159
A BRIEF GUIDE TO POSTURAL SEATING TECHNOLOGY 159
SEATING SERVICE PROGRAMS 164
COMMERCIAL SOURCES 166
SIDE -BY -SIDE TRIALS 170
PUBLICATIONS 172
BIBLIOGRAPHY 173
AUDIOVISUALS 178

PERSONAL VEHICLES 179

INTRODUCTION 179
HINTS ON OPERATING A SUCCESSFUL DRIVER EDUCATION PRGGRAM '79
ASSOCIATION OF DRIVER EDUCATORS FOR THE DISABLED 180
DRIVING EVALUATION FORMS 181
EQUIPMAT RECOMMENDATION FORM 185
CAR SELECTION AND PURCHASE 185
GUIDE TO THE USE HAND CONTROLS AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES 186
OTHER RESOURCES PUBLICATIONS AND AUDIOVISUALS 187
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 189

15

134 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 134


MOBILITY DEVICES

MOBILITY DEVICE EVALUATION GUIDE

General

This guide is designed to provide a way to systematically compare different


mobility aids or evaluate the appropriateness of a device for a specific
mobility device rider The form does not discuss how to fit a wheelchair
but is more concerned with what the device is designed to do and how well
it works. The items included have been compiled from criteria used by
designers, therapists, and co ' Aiumers to evaluate assistuve equipment

Rating System

The rating system allows for comparing performance in certain areas such as
posture and mobility in a single product or comparing one area in many pro-
ducts in a quantitative manner The novice may have difficulty rating
certain items, such as maintenance or durability, but the form may be used
as a guide to obtaining systematic information from experienced users

The rating system is a sliding scale from 0 to 5 Give a 0 if the item


does not function, is most unsatisfactory, or is unacceptable A score of
5 indicates the item performs very well, is most satisfactory, or is the
best Gradations between the extremes are scored 1, 2, 3, or 4 A cate-
gory IBA is provided for inapplicable functions, e g a manual wheelchair
has no electrical system to critique

In general, the comments section should explain why the rating was given,
what equipment features or modifications affect the functii, or conditions
required for the device to work

The instructions for the rating sheets explain each item and provide sug-
gestions for comments The user may choose to use or ignore these recom-
mendations However, the usefulness of the form depends on the quality of
the comments made on the form by the evaluator

This guide wee developed by Helen Tsuda, MA Ca-ididate, Division of Phy-


sical Therapy, Stanford University Medical School, April 1981, with the
guidance of Sandi Enders, OTR and Kelly Flanagan, at Children's Hospital at
Stanford, Rehabilitation Engineering Center Special thanks to Sam
McFarland, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonic,, Texas, for editing
assistance and to the Bay Area Pediatric Interest Group for identifying the
need for such an evaluation guide

) ,)

135 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 135


MOBILITY DEVICES

MOBILITY DEVICE EVALUATION GUIDE REFERENCES

Clearfield, D Medical Devices and Equipment for (ration Prosthetics Center, Clinical Evaluation
the Disabled. ,An Examination Disability Rights Service, Castle Point, New York Undated copy
Center, Washington, D C 1976 This paper dis- This article reviewed the design six w!eel-
cussed the safety, cost and consumer satisfaction chairs with respect to weight, rontrols, trans-
of medical equipment A case study of the wheel- fers, and user reactions Pictures of all six
chair industry mentioned problems seen by users chin _ .a use are included
which includes durability, cost, fit, weight, and
repairs. Stout G "Sorne Aspects of High Performance In-
door/Outdoot Wheelchairs" Bull Prosth Res
Clinical, Engineering and Work Related Evaluation BPR-10-32 pp 135-175, Fall, 1979 This article
of Stationary Stand-up Frames and Stand- Jp Frames studied the performance of electric wheelchairs in
and Stand-Up Wheelchair for the Disabled terms of stability, speed, wheel size, brakes,
Research Project #R-115 New York University controls, height, end folding and reclining
Research and Training Center Annual Report, pp features
57-69, 1979-1980 This project examined the La
Berne Gearlift Stand-In Table and LZVO Stand-Up Team Assessment of Device Effectiveness A Retro-
Wheelchair in terms of the assistance needed to spective Study Children's Hospital at Stanford,
use, pressum exerted by straps or structures, Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Palo Alto, CA
tolerance, and user reaction Balance, stability, October 1980 This evaluation considered changes
mobility, and adjustability were also considered in life style, daily use, life span, effective-
ness, and cost of devices Functional, psycho-
Enders, S "Draft Proposal for Wheelchair Evalua- social and environmental need of the user are
tion for the Veterans Administration Prosthetic stressed. Fifteen aspects of good equipment are
Center, New York" Center for Independent Living, also included
Equipment Evaluation Program, Berkeley (his
draft provided a list of characteristics of equip- V PC Evaluations of Mobility Aids Past, Present
ment to be examined Points often overlooked in sncl Future Veterans Administration Prosthetics
other critiques included restraints, transfer Center, New York, July 1978 Pictures, short de-
access, disengagement of the po source and scriptions, and findings concerning safety and
drive, instructions provided, prescriptive indica- merits of further examination of some mobility
tions, comparison to previous equipment, and how aids are included iNiu explanations of "standards
it is secured for transport of acceptability" were given

Fenwick, D Wheelchairs and Then Users Her Vash, C L "Psychosocial and Learning Considera-
Majesty's Stationary Office, London, 1977 The tion in using Mobility Systems" Mobility for
National Health Service interviewed wheelchair Spinal Cord Impaired People, pp 136-145 (See
users in England and Wales to determine user demo- Hotchkiss) National Research Council, Washington,
graphics, disabilities, equipment use, and satis- D C 1975 This speaker addressed mobility about
faction with the equipment and service The the home, neighborhood, and beyond Issues of
interview questionnaire was included cost, versatility, cosmesis, safety, and private
and public transportation were considered
Grail, T B A Feasibility Study of Product Testing
and Reporting for Handicapped Consumers Con-
sumers Union of the United States Inc., Mount
Vernon, NY March 1979 The study was designed to
show the need and marketability of product evalua-
tions for handicapped consumers Some consumer
concerns often overlooked by designers included
durability, utility, ease of use, and repairs-
cost, part availability, and service agent compe-
tence Rehabilitation professionals also wanted
safety information

Hotchkiss, R "Left To Your Own Devices The State


of the Art of Wheelchair Design" In Mobility for
Spinal Cord Impaired People Report for a Workshop
Held at the Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, Downey,
CA, on February 7.2-24, 1974, pp 45-59 National
Research Co moil, Washington, DC, 1975 Avail-
able from the National Rehabilitation Information
Center (NARIC), Catholic University, Washington
D C. This presentation referred to current char-
acteristics of wheelchair designs then discussed
advantages and disadvantages of some designs pro-
posed to solve frame, wheel, width, and stair
cli abing problems

Sheredos, S.J. Darlington, J W, Lyles, M Evalu-


ation of Stand-Up Wheelchairs Veterans Adminis-

138 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 136


MOBILITY DEVICES

DESCRIPTION

DEVICE

Frame

Seat and Back

Wheels, Front

Back

Rims

Brakes

Arm rests

Foot rests

Power system Motor

Battery

Charger

Controls

Other equipment

Dimension In use

For transport or storage

Weight Total

Heaviest piece

Cost

Special functions

137 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 137


MOBILITY DEVICES

DESCRIPTION

Introduction

Fill in this form first.

The following suggestions are examples of the variety of styles and helpful
information that may be considered in the description of a wheelchair

This section will coTitain shat phrases to describe iim alit features such
as materials used, actions, and whether it is standarrt or optional The
addition of a photograph is very helpful and highly recommended

Frame steel, chrome, plastic, aluminum, wood, paint, folding, non-


folding, lightweight, heavyweight, narrow

Seat and Back solid seat, sling seat, zippered back, detachable back,
vinyl, cloth, contoured, modular, one piece, include type of cushion used

Arm Rests part of frame, detachable, adjustable, flared, desk style, 11111
length, padded, skirt guards

Foot Rests part of frame, detachable, swing away, elevating, telescoping,


wood, metal, plastic, calf pads, heel loops

Wheels front or back wheel drive, dimensions (width and diameter), solid
pneumatic, sernipnetimatic tires, type of tread free wheeling casters,
spokes

Rims chrome, plastic, vrapped, textured, with extensions, type of


bracing

Brakes Foot or hand control, powered, location, extensions, front or


rear

Motor, Battery, Charger Battery voltage, numbPr of batteries, vi ,able


speeds, covers, plugs and connections, line voltage for charging, charging
frequency

Controls joy stick, pneumatic, nroportional, switches, location

Other Equipment list may include straps, pads, head rest, trays, crutch
holders, other options

Dimensions Height, length, width, or other useful measurements If the


item folds or dismantles for transport, include those measurements

Weight Heaviest piece when dismantled should be consioe:ed Even when


dismantled, one piece may be too heavy for easy transport or mobility
Cost Average cost and a range of costs may be useful or attach catalog
and price list Dating is important since changes occur over time

Special :unctions This space is for listing any special functions or


purposes the item may have Examples sport model, stand-up, stair
climbing

138 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 13'


MOBIUTY DEVICES
FUNCTION

JEVICE.

Performance
Rating Comments

low high

MOBILITY

Indoors NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Outdcors NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Uneven terrain NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Ramps NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Curbs NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Distance NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Maneuverability NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

POSTURAL SUPPORT

Supports body and its NA 0 1 2 3 4 5


parts

Maintains posture NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Controls abnormal tone NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Prevents deformities NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Prevents tissue trauma NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Changes position NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

DAILY USE

Comfort rIA 0 1 2 3 4 '.


I_
Ease of use I NA 0 1 2 3 4 5
l
Ease of transfers ;NA 0 1 2 3 4 5
i
Access to tables (NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Access to other
equipment NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Access to public places NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

ADAPTABILITY

Adjustable parts NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Changing phys status NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Different disabilitiec NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

I":- i ,

139 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 139


MOBILITY DEVICES

MOBILITY

Indoors The device should be able to negotiate carpets, linoleum, and


thresholds Doorway width may .-eed consideration ). ith special width re-
quiramsnts Beating lower scores

Outdoors Concrete sidewalks, asphalt road, dirt, and grass are common
surfaces that need to be accessible

Uneven Terrain Consider uneven sidewalks, thick rugs, sand, gravel, hills,
and small obstacles

Ramps Limitations to the grade and length of incline should be noted


Energy requirements and the speed of ascent and descent may need attention

Curbs Consider the height and assistance necessary to negotiate

Distance Any limits and the limiting factor (user, battery, or terrain)
should be noted Example: goes from room to room, works on linoleum only

POSTURAL SUPPORT

Support Body and Its Parts Support should be neither inadequate nor too
restraining Indicate whether special pads, straps, or shaping is neces-
sary to achieve sufficient support

Maintains Posture The device should not give way under pressure or need
constant readjust ncnts

Control Abnormal Tone/Prevent Daforrnities/Prevent Tissue Breakdown Con-


sider whether the equipment inhibits or facilitates abnormal patterns of
movement or tone, scollosis, changes of body position to relieve pressure
Any high pressure areas should have adequate pi.dding to avoid tissue break-
down (Some aids are designed specifically for these functions while
others give postural support secondary importance I

Changes Position If a device can change position (e g, back reclines)


consider if support or pressure is altered and describe changes if signifi-
cant The amount of assistance requ.red to change should be examined

DAILY USE

Comfort This function implies a good fit is possible The device should
not cause pain or discomfort

Ease of Use This item must be qualified as to whither the user or an


assistant finds the aid simple and smoothly operable

Ease of Transfer Again, consider whether the user and/or any assistants
find the device easy to get in and out of
Access to Tables Tables should be within reach as the chair faces it
Special table height requirements should be noted

Access to Other Equipment Other equipment may include kitchen appliances,


bathroom fixtures, working area, or assistive devices (e g respirator)

Access to Public Places School, business and recreational facilities


should be accessible Any special needs, e g, wide electric doors, ramps
or assistance should be listed in the comments

ADAPTABILITY

Adjustable Parts Parts that can be altered or change position should


maintain positions set and change quickly and easily when desired

Changing Physical Status The device should accommodate some growth


chanLes or physical and mental deterioration due to disease processes

Different Disabilities If the device is extremely specialized for a


certain type of patient, give I low score If the aid can be adapted for
many people, score higher
15--
140 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 140
MOBILITY DEVICES

FUNCTION

DEVICE

Performance
Rating Comments

low high

TRANSPORT

Into car unassisted NA 0 1 2 3 45


Into car w/ assistance NA 0 1 2 :', 4 5

Into van NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Use public transport NA 0 1 2 3 45


Can be carried upstairs NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Distance NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

SAFETY

Stationary NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

In Motion NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Inclement Weather NA 0 1 2 3 45
Eleor.,:al System NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

DURABILITY

Expected lifetime NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Upholstery NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Frame NA 0 1 2 3 45
Attachmdnts NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Power system NA 0 1 2 3 45

MAINTENANCE

Washable NA 0 1 2 3 45
Repair frequency NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

Repair costs NA 0 1 2 3 45
Downtime NA 0 1 2 3 4 5

APPEARANCE I NA 0 1 2 3 45

SPECIAL FEATURES I NA 0 1 2 3 45
l
1

Evaluated by

I )v
141 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 141
MOBILITY DEVICES

TRANSPORT

Into Car Unassisted Higher score if a user can get the aid in and out
with no help quickly and Easily Indicate the smallest car that will
accommodate the user and device

Into Car with Assistance Ind,cate how much help is required and car size

Into Van Specify special tie-downs to secure device safely for transport
and whether the user remains in or gets out of the chair while traveling
The height of the user in the chair may influence the head room required

Use Public Transportation Will equipment fit on bus, train, plane, etc 7
What special equipment (e g, lifts) will be needed'?

Can Be Carried Upstairs This item is included tor devices which cannot
climb or descend stairs or where no ramps or elevators are available
Consider the number of assistants required and whether the user is in or
out of seat (This characteristic may be important for safety in emergencies

SAFETY

Stationary The device should not tip over, rock, or be easily pushed off
balance The brakes should hold well

In Motion Progress should be without jerks while going straight or


turiang Control must be maintained constantly and easily

Inclement Weather Consider safety in wind, rain, snow, ice, heat, cold

E;ectri,:al System Connections should be good, shock hazards reduced, and


charging in.,..'s,:tions clear Watch out for loose wires and battery leaks

DURABILITY

Expected Lifetime A list of what component or factor determines the


lifetime may be helpful Example child outgrows device in six months

Upholstery Indicate whether it tears or wears out Specify if replace-


ments or reinforcements are possible

Frame Although rating of this item is mainly concerned with it standing


up to daily use, any rattling, bending, or scratching should be examined

Attachments Separate pieces should remain firmly attached throughout the


life, be replaceable or last as long as the rest of the device

Power System Consider which parts last throughout the life, how often
batteries need charging and replacement

MAINTENANCE

Wa-liable Special cleaning needs should be listed Rating also includes


how oft and how easy it is to clean
Repair Frequency Least often scores highest Comments could Indicate
which parts require most care (Repairs may also include routine maintenance

Repair Costs The expense will also be affected by who is performing the
repair user, friend, vendor, bicycle shop, distant manufacturer Item
which requires most repairs or most expensive repairs may be useful to
note Average annual costs may also be informative

Downtime This concept includes how long repairs take in which the aid is
unavailable, and how often this occurs

APPEARANCE This category is one of the most subjective Consider both


the user's and the public's reaction to the device One guide suggested is
to ask "Would I want to be seen using this equipment'?"

SPECIAL FEATURES Space is allowed for listing any significant feature not
previously mentioned Remember to specify what is being rated

1 J
142 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 142
MOBILITY DEVICES

SUMMARY

Device Date

Put Picture of Aid/Device Here

Brief description

Overall impression

Advantages

Disadvantages

Appropriate users

Availability

Evaluated by

Date 16
143 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA W84 143
MOBILITY DEVICES

SUMMARY

TWs section condenses the information obtained from the rating sheets and
can be used for quick referencing of important features A brief descrip-
tion may cover appearance and function of the device, e g "battery
powered, contour customized wheelchair can mount most curbs" The overall
imprecsion should include whether the device works well or not and under
what circumstances The evaluator may find a listing of the device's
performance for each broad function on the rating sheets helpful Specific
pleasures or aggravations can be listed under advanta3es and disadvantages

The appropriate users section may list the types of disabilities or the
functional abilities of people who may use this device (Example For
users with good upper exf-emity and trunk strength and control)

The section for availability allows space for information concerning the
manufacturer, vendor, repair facilities, and the time for delivery

TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SGURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 144


MOBILITY DEVICES

WHEELCHAIR CONTROL SYSTEMS

What Controller !s Rabat? Whet Can Bs Used for Control?


Selection of a suitable controller is of major By positioning a switch or sensing device at some
importance in achieving en effective wheelchair anatomical location, signals can be derived which
control system. Generally, efficient control of might be employed to operate a wheelchair This
the wheelchair represents one of the more diffi- listing represents potential control sources,
cult tasks to accomplish (both from the standpoint letters refer to the anatomical sites indicated on
of choice of controller and development of opera- the drawing
tor skills). Operation of communication aids and
typing devices also represent difficult tasks A Chin Control requires very small travel (1/4"
Most other functions are easily managed by what- or less) to produce proportional control
ever approach works for the wheelchair. Usually,
coordinated, simultaneous, two-axis, proportional B Head Rest Control By pushing straight back
control (immediate-acting, continuously variable against the headrest a forward signal is produced
control of both speed and turns), when available, By rocking your head to the left or right against
will achieve the best maneuvt Ibility Compro- the headrest, turn signals are generated A
mising any of these characteristics will result in separate switch needs to be activated to reverse
decreased precision or a slower rate for a given the sense for backward motion
maneuver.
C Joystick. Operates using standard joystick
In order to select or devise the best controller format
for a given individual, one must weight the
various trade-offs. The features generally con- D Arm/Elbow Control Movement of the elbow out-
sidered are: ward and/or sliding of the arm forward and back-
ward might be used for activation of switches or
1) The operator's abilities proportional signals.
2) Effectiveness of control
3) Ease of learning and training E Head Control Direct use of forward/backward
requirements and left/right rovement of head is employed
4) Appearance (cosmetic and aesthetic)
5) Interference with other desirable F Shoulder Position Here elevation and depres-
functions sion (or slump) provide forward/backward signals
6) Medical considerations while protraction/retraction of the shoulder pro-
vide the left/right signals

G1 Pneumatic ( uff/si ) Control This system


uses hard puffs and sips to control forward and
backward velocities, while soft puffs and sips
8 introduce proportional turns

G2 Spoken Control A computer can analyze the


words you speak and use them in the same way as
you might speak to a blind-folded driver

G3 Mouth, Tongue, Lip Control A head mounted


chin controller element can make use of small
movements to provide proportional control

H Foot Contre' A rocker pate could yie'd all


four signals for wheelchair directions, or "gas
pedal" type controls might be used
IKnee Control Thrusting the knee inward or
outward can provide control signals

1 --
1 ft) J

145 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 145


MOBILITY DEVICES

BATTERIES FOR WHEELCHAIRS

For reasons of energy output and cost per unit lated area Once the battery is overcharged.
weight, the lead-acid battery remains the battery immediately fill the electrolyte level up to a
of choice According to David Bayer, at least 50% little over the plate tops using DISTILLED
of all problems with powered wheelchairs are bat- WATER ONLY
tery-related He g'ves the following "dos and
don'ts" of battery choice and care NOTE Overcharging in a small, unventilated room
may pose an explosion hazard
The Right Battery
Battery Connections
1 If possible, use a rechargeable lead-acid bat-
tery designed for deepcycling 1All battery connection should be inspected
monthly and maintained in a corrosion-free state
2. Avoid those batteries which arm advertised as
having these design features 2 Clean up all wet spots or spills around the
battery as they occur Wash liberally with water
"Improved cold-start performance" le g, DIE-HARD and dry
and similarly advertised units)
3 At least once every 6 months, remove the bat-
"Maintenance-free," which generally lack filler tery lug clamps and all connections at the battery
caps to permit inspection and replenishing of terminals, thoroughly clean, and reassemble
electrolyte levels
NOTE It useful to carefully document all con-
3 If you must use a gel-cell battery (because of nections before disconnecting them
air travel requirements) avoid continuous use on a
regular basis. Use a charger designed specifi- 4 If connection hardware is damaged due to cor-
cally for the gel-cell rosion or physical abuse, replace it

4 In the instance where deep-cycle batteries are Batteries -- Handling and Your Health
not available, use conventional automobile lead-
acid batteries which have filler caps and long 1 Lead-acid batteries contain sulfuric acid which
warranty periods (2-4 years) Even though It may has damaging effects on metals, cloth, skin,
not be honored, the longer warranty is indicative muscle, and fatty tissue When in contact with
of larger capacity, i.e, a longer operating skin, it may cause a burning sensation (if sensory
period before recharging is necessary, thus avoid nerves are intact) Thus, it should be washed off
deep cycling. skin and clothing immediately with liberal amounts
of water
5 If possible, avoid frequent or deep cycling of
your battery Deep cycling occurs when you use 2 After washing ;Iberally with water, then taste
most of your battery's capacity before recharging (lick) affected st'in or c.0th surfaces in order to
it assure yourself of complete removal of the sul-
furic acid Diluted sulfuric acid will have a
Charging the Battery vinegar taste and is harmless internally

1 Do not use automatic (so-called "smart") NOTE In the event of more than a minor burn
chargers for conventional auto-style or deep-cycle especially in the case of a disabled individual,
lead-acid batteries The "smart" charger ap- consult a doctor immediately
proach, though, is recommended in the case of gel-
cell batteries 3 Since individuals with spinal cord injuries rnay
not have the benefit of sensation of pain to warn
2. Make a regular habit of recharging your battery them of acid, take all necessary measures to keep
nightly it away from their presence, I e, skin and
clothing
3 A rechargeable duration in proportion to the
amount of driving during the day is appropriate 4 Baking coda is helpful in neutralizing acid in
A charger with a timer shut-oh is helpful Since cases where you cannot be assured of washing it
different chargers will charge at various rates away entirely However, do not use baking soda as
and wheelchairs consume power at differing rates, a substitute for a thorough withal washing with
there is not a specific "charge to use" ratio water
which can be recommended for all wheelchairs
from "Batteries on Powered Wheelchairs The Do's
4. Approximately once every 1-2 weeks, intention- and Don'ts of Battery Care" Reprinted from Cur-
ally overcharge your battery for 6-12 hours beyond rent Expressions, Vol 1, No 1, 1981, the news-
the normal charging time The actual overcharging letter of Prentke 7.ornsch Company, 8769 Township
begins when the ammeter on the battery charger Road 513, Shreve OH 44676 Mr Bayer can be
reads one-fourth (1/4) to one-tenth (1/10) of its contacted at Du -It Controls in Shreve, OH
initial charge rate, i.e. typically one ampere or
less. During this time many battery cells will
bublie vigorously and emit hydrogen and oxygen
Overcharging should take place in a well-venti-

146 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 146


MOBILITY DEVICES

SOURCES OF MORC INFORMATION ON WHEELCHAIRS

University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712


The most current infoimation about new wheelchair 1982 "No matter how we constructed and how
designs and prototypes is ganef01y not in printed car-fully operated the wheelchair is, it still
sources Developmental information is exchanged must be maintained or it will break down This
informally through a "people network" Names and manual tells how to inspect for and recognize
addresses of many of these people can be found in problems It describes routine maintenance proce-
the Wheelchair I, II, and III reports These dures, such as inspecting tires The information
publications also have information on such things can oe used to detect problems while they are
as the history and development of wheelchairs, and still small enough for simple repair
the state-of-the-art information on wheelchair
design and wheelchair sirveys 'A Stitch in Time is based on the idea that some
simple inspection and maintenance tasJs can reduce
Wheelchair I Report -.4 workshop December 6-8, the number of repairs that must be done on a
1979 Moss Rehabilitation Hospital, 12th Street wheelchair For that reason, certain chapters
and Tabor Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141 1978 have two types of material, called s, -lions The
173 pages Focus cn manual wheelchairs A section of a chapter covers inspection and main-
tenance It tells how to recognize problems, and
Whielchair II Report of a workshop December 13- what to do to correct them and prevent them from
16, 1979 Moss Rehabilitation Hospital 12th getting worse Section B material is on repair,
Street and Tabor Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141 and tells what to do if conditions have become bad
Focus on powered wheelchairs enough to require repair work
Wheelchair III Report of a workshop March 25-27, "Most chapters are organized in terms of parts of
1982 La Jolla, CaJrnia RESNA, 4405 East-West groups of parts For example, Chapter 5 is an
Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814 67 pages $1000 bearings and Chapter 6 is on caster wheels
Focus on sports chairs and on specialty adapte
wheelchairs "In addition, the book has five special-purpose
chapters The first, Chapter 1, Maintenance
ieferc.nces, covers information which is necessary
This selected list focuses on selecting, operating for using the other chapters There are also
and maintaining a wheelchair chapter!. on fitting the wheelchair, rust, wheel-
chair safety, and skin maintenance _ipecial
The Care and Feeding of a Wheelchair Medical material on motorized wheelchairs is presented in
Equipment Distributors, Inc (MED), 1215 So an Appendix at the end of this manual
Harlem, Forest Park, IL 60130 1979 15 pages
Has a section "Diagnosing Your Wheelchair's ids" "There is no 'typical' person who uses a wheel-
chair Therefore, this manual is aimed at a wide
"The Changing Role of Wheelchair Tires" Robert group of potential users This includes people in
Howard RxHomeCare, November 1983 Barrington wheelchairs and their friends and relatives It
Publications, 825 Barrington Ave. Los Angeles, also includes people who might enter the occupa-
CA tion of wheelchair repairer The manual, and
audiovisual material related to it, could be use-
Choosing and Using a Wheelchair (Pubn A-313) ful in a wheelchair repair course It can also
National Easter Seal Society, 2023 W Ogden Ave, serve as a reference during maintenance The
Chicago, IL 60612 Single copies free with material has been simply written, so ,1 can be
self-addressed stamped business-sized envelope used by people with many different vels of edu-
Quantity rates also available cation It is well illustrated

Equipment for the Disabled Wheelchairs (Fifth "Audiovisual materials have been developed o
Edition) Edited by GM Cochrane and E R cover the inspection and maintenance aspects
Wilshere Oxfordshire Health Authority 2 Fore- wheelchair maintenance The material includes
down Drive, Pos:slade, Brighton, BN4 2BB, England tape cassettes, slide or videotape visuals, an
1983 103 pages, figure_ photos L7 50 The instructor', wide, and a participant's manual
book provides worthwhile guidelines on wheelchair Although the mateilai s for group presentation,
selection for anyone anywhere In focusing on it could also be helpfu' individual In
specific brands and listing wheelchair and acces- particular, the Participant's Manual summarizes
sory sources, the book becomes somewhat less use- information presented by the A/Vs, and s excel-
ful to these outside of Britain Lay-out is well lent for reziew The AiV material is titled
done and the pictures/drawings are often helpful Wheelchair Maintenance A Stitch in Time It is
also available from the Center for Occupational
Functional Wheels AG Gams Dept of Rehabi- Curriculum Development, Division of Continuing
litation, 830 K Street, :-.acramento, CA 95814 Education, Post Offii_e Box 7218, The University of
1980 73 pages Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712"
The Professional Wheelchair Contact Invacare, Street Wheeling Ma aal Metropolitan LIL, 1728
Inc Elyria Ohio 1980 University Avenue, ct Paul, MN 55104
A Stitch in Time Wheelchair Maintenance and Things to Consider When Buying or Renting a Wheel-
Repair Jere Gandolf Burns Center for Occupa- chair Pocket Catalog No 3 Everest & Jennings,
tional Curriculum Development, PO Box 7218,

147 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 147


MOBILITY DEVICES

Inc, 3233 East Mission Oaks Blvd, Camarillo, tion Robert Sine, MD, editor Aspen Systems
California 93010 805/987-8911 1976 Corporation, Rockville, MD 1981

Wheelchair Maintenance and Sim-r.- Repz.-.: Carol A wharilohair User's Manual for People with Spinal
Nordstrom, RPT Physical Therapy Department, Cord Injury Bruce Blasch, Mobility Training
Woodrow Wilson Rehabili^at.on Center, Fishers- Project, 1981 Available from the author, Weisman
ville, VA Center, University of W.sconsin-Madison, Madison,
WI 53705
Wheelchair Maintenance for the Non-mechanical
Consumer Allied Resources Ce ,er for Oil Handi- See also references in Mobility Device Evaluation
capped, Inc, Utica, NY 1980 Consumer-oriented Guide, and Sports Wheelchairs, SPORTS
publication with diagrams and descriptions of
preventive maintenance and repair procedures for
wheelchairs AUDIOVISUALS

"Wheelchair Management Developing a System for I've Got Wheels Brian Line and Nick Dance
Long Term Care Facilities" The J Long Term Care Available from Dance/Line Films, LeCourt, Liss,
Administration, Vol VIII #2, June, 1920 Hampshire, England 3/4" videocassette, color, 20
minutes 1979 illustrates how correct equipment
Wheelchair Management Guidelines C Epstein and a.wironment can provide access to a wheel-
Occupational Therapy Consultants, Inc, 19 South chair-bound person
Bridge Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 This 40-
page guide provides an overview and methodology A New Freedom Amigo Sales, li- q693 Dixie
for the systematic management of wheelchairs in an Highway, Bridgeport, MI 48722 ' color, 10-
institutional setting The author presents a 1/2 minutes 1979 Demonstrates now the A /11GO
rationale for developing the system, describes the wheelchair is helping several individual.; overcome
implementation and presents specific policies and their physical disabilities
procedures to set the system in place Forms and
coding key are included Power Wheelchairs When, How, Why Suzanne Elaine
Bennethum OTR, Dorothy Pezenik, OTR, Charlene
Wheelchair Prescriptions Everest & Jennings, Butler, Ed D , and Susan Harris, RPT, PhD
Inc, East Mission Oaks Blvd, Camarillo, CA Everest & J ,,, 3233 East Mission Oaks Blvd,
93010 WA/987-8911 1976 Booklet 1 Measur- Camarillo, CA 93010, 805/987-8911 1984 Call
ing the Patient, Booklet 2 Wheelchair Selection, your Everest & Jennings representative for a free
Booklet ? Safety and Handling, Booklet 4 Care screening at your facility Factity screenings
and Service 1,..:1,de information booklets

Wheelchair Scheduled Maintenance Program Everest


& Jennings, Inc, East Mission Oaks Blvd,
Camarillo, CA 93010 805/987-8911 Provides
information on establishing a program tor sche-
duled wheelchair maintenance in an institutional
setting

Wheelchair Selection More Than Choosing_ a Chair


with Wheels B Fah land, 1976 .62 95 from the
Sister Kenny Institute, 800 E 28th Street at
Chicago Avenue, Me.neapolis, MN 55404

Wheeich-irs and Accessories, An Accent Guide B


Garee, Ed Accent Special Publications, Cheever
Publishing, Inc, PO Box 700, Bloomington, IL
61701. 134 pp $7 50 (-4- $ A5 sh;pping) This
guide conta.ns ideas on choosiiig the best wheel-
chair, accessories you can add for comfort,
safety, convenience, and fun iw to keep your
chair in top shape, on ' when- to gat the latest
product information

Wheelchairs Aids for Pa,,i,:ipition an' Dis-


covery," "Wheelche ... Guidelines for Selection,"
The Exceptional P front, February, 1983, Volume 13,
#1, pp 17-28 Th s article covers such areas of
concern as the selection process, fitting, appear-
ance, posture, bathrooms, transportation, types of
chairs, accessories, cost, and maintenance and
service

"Wheelchairs Selection, Uses, and Maintenance"


Georgiana B Wilson, LPT, ani Virginia I Kerr,
OTT,. Chepter 8 in Basic Rehabilitation ',soh-
niques. A Self-Instructional Guide, second edi-
Ir
148 TECHNOLOGY FOP INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 143
MOBILITY DEVICES

SOME COMMERCIAL SOURCES OF WHEELCHAIRS

See Toll Free Numbers for phone numbers

''1AL WHEELCHAIRS Mobilizer Medical Products Inc Stainless Medical Products


500 Nuber Avenue 1386 Dowdy Drive
N, Mount Vernon, NY 10550 San Diego, CA 92126
,.;u3 Higgins Court
,.- rance, CA 90501 Modern Tubular Production, Inc Summit Services, Inc.
_JO/421-2'269 '1;18 High Street 535 Division Street
800/262-1331 lin California) gham, Surrey, England Campbell, CA 95008
Accumec Corporation Motion Designs, Inc Theradyne Corporation
32 Race Street 1075 Cole 21730 Hanover Street
San -,ose, CA 95126 Clovis, CA 93612 Lakeville, MN 55044
612/469-4404
Bair Chair Newto.-% Aids (England) 800/323-4014
#6 Seco Court U S Distributor
Sacramento, CA 95823 Newton, IJSA Vessa
469 Ridge Road W Paper Mill Lane
Carters Rehabilitation Division Rochestei, NY 14615 Alton, Hampshire GU34 2PY
Rajowalt Company ENGLAND
Atwood, IN 46502 Ortho-Kinetics
P 0 Box 436 X-L Enterprises
Colson Equipment W220 N507 Springdale 2003 Palm Avenue
Harry !... Truman Blvd Waukesha, IN, 53187 Chico, CA 95926
Caruthersville, MO 63830
Orthopedia GMBH (Germany) Zimmer Orthopaedic Ltd
Convaid U S Distributor Bridgend, Mid Glam CF31 3PY
PO Box :'731 Internet': Med Equip Corp Great Britain
Palos Verdes CA 90274 11000 Rush Street, #20
South El Monte, CA 917 ,
Electrolurgy, Inc
1121 Duryea Avenue Ortop Tech Medical Aids (Israel)
1,,Ine, CA 92714 U S Distributor
Meditech
Equalizer 544 10th Street
274 Buchon St Palisades Park, NJ 07650
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 201/974-0500
Everest & Jennings, c Pin Dot Products
3233 East Mission Oaks Blvd P 0 Box 642
Camarillo, CA 93010 Northbrook, IL 60062
Gendron, Inc Penner Wheelchair (France)
Lugbill Road U S Distributor
Archbold, Ohio 43502 Magnum International
419/445-6060 2930 West Central
800/537-2521 Santa Ana, CA 92704
714/641-9696
Hall's Wheels
15 Marlboro Street Production Research Corp
Belmont, MA 02178 10217 Southard Drive
Beltsville, MD 20705
Imex Riser Wheelchair
5672 Almaden Fressway Quadra Wheelchair, Inc
San Jose, CA 35.118 31125 Via Colinas #903
408/978-8112 Westlake Village, CA 91361
Invacare Corporation Sears Ind Roebuck Co
1200 Taylor Street 1633 Broadway
Elyria, OH 44035 New York, NY 10019
Jung Product; Smith & Davis
5801 Manemont Avenue 1180 Central Industrial Lane
Cincinnati, OH 45227 St Louis, MO 63110
314/771-7145
Mastercraft Metal Products 800/325-7145, 800/238-6678
PO Box 591
Santa Cruz, CA 95061

149 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEROOK RESNA 19114 149


iwitiBILITY DEVICES

POWERED WHEELCHAIRS Saab-Scania of America, Inc POWER UNITS FOR WHEELCHAIRS


Saab Drive, P 0 Box 697
A-BEC Orange CT 06477 A-BEC
20460 Gramercy Place ttn Permnha 298.03 H.gg.ns Co
Torrance, CA 90501 Torrance CA 905G1
800/421-2269 Sears & Roebuck Co
800/262-1331 (in Califo-nia) 1633 Broadway DAMACO
New York, NY 10019 9612 Lurine Avenue
Colson Equipment Unit A
Harry S Truman Blvd Steven Motor Lhair Co Chatsworth, CA 91311
Caruthersville, MO 63830 120 N Gunter
Siloam Springs, AZ 72761 Instrument Components
Everest & Jennings, Inc 959 B Lakeshore Blvd
3233 E Mission Oak Blvd Summit Services, Inc Painesville, OH 44077
Camarillo, CA 93010 535 Division Street
Campbell, CA 95008 Oxford Orthopaedic Engineering Ctr
Everest & Jennings, Inc Nuffield Orthopaedic Center
111 Snidercroft F.oad Tunkers Industries Inc Headington, Oxford, England 0X3 7L1
Concord, Ontario M4T 2W1 1832 Star-Batt Drive
CANADA Rochester, MI 48063 Rosenthal Manufactur ng
416/661-2000 313/852-5331 5033 North Kedzie
Chicago, IL 60625
Fortress Scientific 21st Century Scientific Inc
2110-C Northwest Parkway 7135 Hayvenhurst Avenue Mobility Plus (Solo Products)
tvioietta, GA 30067 Van Nuys CA 91406 P 0 Box :191
404/.:152-2792 215 N 12th Street
Vessa :Santa Paula, CA 93060
Instrument Components Paper Mill Lane 805/525 -7165
759 B Lakeshore Blvd Alton Hampshire 800/325-7397
Painesville, OH 44077 GU34 2PY ENGLAND
Solo Products
Invacare Corporation 2435 Front Street
1200 Taylor Street West Sac amento, CA 95691
Elyria, OH 44035
21st Century Scientific Inc
Mobility Engineering & Dev 6920 Hayvenhurst Avenue #205
7131 Hayvenhurst Avenue Van Nuys, CA 91406
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Zimmer Orthopaedic Ltd
Mobility Plus IL Mulholland) Bridgend, Mid Glam
P 0 Box 391 CF31 3PY
215 N 12th Street Great Brita
Santa Paula CA 93060
805/525-7165
800/325-7337

National Welded P.oducts


2900 Spring Street, #6
Redwood City CA 94063

Newton Aids (England)


U S Distributor
Ne Nton USA
469 Ridge Roao
Rochester, NY 14615

Orthopeci.a GMBH (Germany)


U S Distributor
Internat.! Med Equip Corp
11000 Rush Street, #20
South El Morte, CA 91733

Poirier Wheelchair (France)


U S Distributor
Magnum International
2930 West Central
Santa Ana, CA 92704
714/641-9696

150 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 150


MOBILITY DEVICES

POWERED WHEELCHAIR ALTERNATIVES

A-BEC Midon Engineered Products


1815 W 205th Street P J Box 1031
Suite 206 Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4E3
Torrance, CA 90501
Motovator
Abbey Medical 1722 Border Avenue
3216 El Segundo Blvd Torrance, CA 90501
Hawthorne, CA 90250
Ontario Crippled Children s Centre
Alpha Unlimited, Inc 350 Rumsey Road
2315 Industrial Blvd Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R8
Sarasota, FL 33580 CANADA
813/351-3488
800/237-6836 Ortho-Kinetics
P 0 Box 436
American Stair Glide W220 N507 Springdale
4001 E 13th Street Waukesha, WI 53187
Grandview, MO 64030
Palmer Industries
Amigo Sales, Inc P 0 Box 707, Union Station
6693 Dixie Highway Endicott, NY 13760
Bridgeport, MI 48722
Sherry Products, Inc
Braun Corporation 1501 Pacific Coast Highway
1014 S Monticello Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Winamac, IN 46696
219/946-6157 Small Electric Vehicles, Inc
Or 56 E Walnut Street
5751 Engineer Drive Westerville, OH 43081
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
C F Struck Corp
E F Brewer Company W51 N545 Struck Lane, Box 307
P 0 Box 159 Cedarburg, WI 53012
Menominee Falls, WI E3051
Voyager Ltd
Chair Lift of California P 0 Box 1577
31220 La Baya Drive, Suite #113 S Bend, IN 46634
Westlake Village, CA 91362
Zimmer Orthopaedic Lta
Electric Mobility Corporation Bridgend, Mid Glam
591 Mantua Blvd CF31 3PY
Sewell, NJ 08080 Great Britain
800/257-7955
800/232-6550 lin New Jersey)

Everest & Jennings, Inc


3233 E Mission Oak Blvd
Camarillo, CA 93010

Independence Chair Company


W220 N507 Springdale Road
P 0 3ox 436
Waukesha, WI 53187
414/542-6060

Instrament Components Co
7239 Industrial Park
Mentor, OH 44060

Invacare Corpc,ation
1200 Taylor Street
Elyria, OH 44035

Kimed Industries
11 Brt,zdwly 1
New York, NY 10004

Leisure Lift Chairs


PO Cox 6176 See alsc SEATING Commercial Sources for Postural
Kansas Ci/y, KS 66106 Seating Systems

151 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 151


MOBILITY DEVICES

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS

NIHR-supported research

University of Virginia Medical Center


Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
P 0 Box 109/UVA
Charlottesville, CA 22908
804/977-6730
Cohn McLaurin, PhD, Warren Stamp, MD, project
directors

Veteran's Administration-supported research

Rehabilitation R&D
Mail Stop 153
Veterans Administration Medical Center
3801 Miranda
Palo Alto, CA
415/493-5000, x 5465
Larry Leifer, Ph D, project director

THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHEELCHAIR STANDARDS

A recent development in the renabilitation engi-


neering field has been a concerted effort to
develop voluntary standards for manual and powered
wheelchairs This development has occurred in
response to several factors, including int na-
tional cooperation on the development of wheel-
chair standards, U S government interest in the
development of domestic standards, and consumer
advocacy for the development of such standards

RESNA currently serves as the official U S epre-


sentative to the lnternat onal Standards Organiza-
tion's (ISO) Wheelchair Standards Subcommittee
The RESNA Subcommittee is also developing volun-
tary U S standards for wheelchairs n cooperation
with the Veteran; Administration and the Food and
Drug Administration

The RESNA Subcommittee has established an ambi-


tious work schedule for itself and is anticipating
the compleion of voluntary domestic standards for
both manual and powered chairs by the close of
1986

For more information see 'The Development of


Wheelchair Standards' by L R Phillips, P W
Axelson, D A Hobson and S R McFarland, in Pro
ceedings of the Sixth Annual Conference on Rehabi-
litation E,Igineering San Diego California June
1983 Published by RESNA, Suite 402, 4405 East
West Highway Bethesda, Maryland 20814

152 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 152


MOBILITY DEVICES

P.10BILITY BEYOND SEATED WHEELED SYSTEMS

CHOOSING & USING OTHER TYPES OF PROTECTIVE A:DS


MOBILITY EQUIPMENT
Assistive and Proective Devices for the Handi-
There are many publications that include informe- capped M J Mar (editor) Georgia Retarda-
bon on walking aids These are included beccuse tion Center, 4770 North Peachtree Road, NE,
they are so clear vis-.ially and I like pictures Atlanta GA 30338 July 1981 This manual pro-
If you have favorites, please send triformatiun to vides practical information on a selection of
the Sourcebook editor for inclusion in the next adaptive and protective devices such as helmets,
edition (editor) eye protectors, mitts, protective gloves, elbow
restraints, pelvic supports, etc

Basic Rehabilitation Techniques A Self-Instruc- A Resource Guide to Protective Aids J Frank K


tional Guide Robert D Sine et al, editors Mallik, W Chit', and I. y Job Development Lab-
Aspen Systems Corporation, 1600 Research Blvd, oratory, The George Washington University, 2300
Rockville, MD 20850 1981 263 pages $20 95 Eye Street NW, Suite 420, Washington, DC 20037
This book was written for nurses who work with Protective aids are listed according to the part
disabled persons Its goal is to prcvide the of the body to be protected and the type of pro-
nurse with the basic rehabilitation b ..hntques to tection required Includes helmets, restraints
enable him/her to train disabled people in ordi- and supports, slings and splints, pressure relief
nary functional activities This includes self- and skin protection Lists manufacturers ai d
care activities, mobility, pressure relief, pain, suppliers
etc The techniques described are simple and
utilize equipment that is readily available The
text is written in cleat language Excellent
drawings and pictures add to comprehension of
details of the technique Because the techniques
include training in the use of assistive devices,
this book is also useful to more than lust nurses
as an introductory guide to the equipment most
commonly used by the disabled It discusses
selection, use and ,raining with the devices

Physical Management for the Quadr nlegic Patient


J Ford and B Duckworth FA Davis Company,
Philadelphia. PA (Out of print, look for it in
an OT or PT dept , or a rehab dept ) 1974
$16 95 This textbook on the physical management
of quadriplegic patients includes an appendix
which describes do-it-yourself aids for these
individuals

Providing Early Mobility Intermed Communi,d-


bons, Inc, 132 Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044
1980 This book is pert of a series of training
manuals for nurses This one is written to assist
the nurse in taking a positive approach to the
emotional and physical considerations in early
mobility It is included in this technology guide
because it includes the detailed instruction
needed to use the following pieces of transfer and
positioning equipment cradle boots, hand rolls,
footboards, nand splints, transfer boards and
mechanical lifters In other sections of the
book, concise captions and how-to-do-it photos
show you how to sately transfer a patient with
halo traction, how to select thu proper crutches,
cane, walker or wheelchair for your patient, and
how to teach him to use the equipment correctly
It also includes step-by-step procedures and
photos for turning and positioning, range-of-
motion and isometric exercises, and transfer tecn-
niques This is an excellent training manual for
anyone. for instance, a disabled person could use
it to train a personal care attendant The photos
are so explanatory, the text is almost unneces-
sar,

153 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 153


MOBIUTY DEVICES

MOBILITY AIDS FOR THE BLIND

John A Brahyn Ph n presented to the user of a rriobility a.d 3^d


Smith-Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences that information should be displayed is prohably
San Francisco, California the principal issue in mobility and design Deve
lopment has followed two schools of thought One
class of aids, known as obstacle detectors or
"In the application of technology to aid the clear-path indicators, wart only of the presence
blind, one of the problems receiving a great deal of and sometimes the approximate range of ob-
of attention Is mobility the ability to move stacles directly in the travel path, while gener-
safely and independently through the en\ ronmont ally not being concerned with identification of
The technology to assist blind individuals with the obstacles detected Sucti devices are rela-
solving mobility difficulties has been applied tively inexpensive and technically simple
only recently, and efforts in this application of
technology are still in their infancy "Pt second category of aids, known as environmental
sensors, attempts more than mere detection of
obstacles
Historical Overview
"The dispute between proponents of obstacle detec-
"Although sticks of various shapes and sizes pro- tors and environmental sensors between rich and
bably have been used by blind people for a long sparse displays is still unresolved More
time, specific mobility aids for the blind are complex displays require more learning, and too
relatively new The large number of blind vet- much information can be confusing There is no
erans in the United States after World War II doubt that experienced users, howe.ter, benefit
prompted Or Richard Hoover to begin his class.c greatly from the extra input
studies within the Veterans Administration in the
systematic use of a long, white cane to aid mobi-
lity The techniques which he developed and Current Status Problems
refined have been adopted widely in mobility
training programs around the world, and can, in "Most tf the aids described (in the full text of
the hands of a competent user, transform e. simple, the paper ed 1 are commercially available, but
white stick into a remarkably effective tool have not achieved broad penetration of the market
Indeed, the white cane is currently the most popu- All are relatively expensive, costing anywhere
lar mobility aid from $300 to $3,000 Most are designed to supple-
ment, rather than r place, the long cane and
"Another traditional mobility aid is the guide there is disagreement over whether the additional
dog However, guide dogs are used by only a small Information they provide is worth the very consi-
fraction of the blind community This situation derable extra cost and the effort of training A
is unlikely to change for many reasons, primarily skilled user of the long cane can use the sounds
beca._:se of the substantial cost of training the emcted by the cane tip for natural echolocation,
dng and the limited number of individuals suited providing him with a surprising amount of informa-
tk, existe'ice with a guide dog tion about the immediate environment This cate-
gory of user, although not typical of the
"World War II also prompted the development of population, would require substantial addi.eono
radar and sonar technologies for remote sensing input from an electronic aid before its use beta
In the 1950s and 60s, transistor technology made worthwhile The sophisticated auditory display of
electronic devices more portable Inventors began such an aid may tend, however, to mask the subtle
to see the potential for various obstacle-detec- echolocation cues mentioned above For those
tion devices to aid blind people Many devices individuals who do not posses.: refined echoloca-
have been developed, although only a fraction have tion skills, howt...3r, this argument cannot be
found their way into practical use The p.incipal valid Other reasons mist be sought for the ap-
behind most of these obstacle-detection devices is parent lack of general acceptance of the ex.sting
Simply the transmission of an energy wave (usually electronic mobility aids
ultrasonic, but sometimes opticall and the recep-
tion of echoes from objects in or near the 'Mobility and navigation is so commonplace to
traveler's path Once received, the signals must sighted people that it has warranted very little
be decoded and displayed in some intelligible study As a result, researchers have little basic
form, usually auraily or tactilely Range usually knowledge to ose as a starting point when de-
is estimated b) measuring the time taken fcr signing and evaluating mobility aids for the
wave to reach the target and return to the blind What are the assential components of in-
receiver formation needed for mobility? What spatial cues
does a s.2hted person rely on for maintaining a
"The maximum range cf interest for sensing devices safe course through the environment? Once these
is usually no more than 20 feet making the use of cues are identified, how can they best be coded
radar or light waves highly inconvenient and ex- and displayed to the user? If we do not really
pensiv.3 since it invol, es measurement of extremely understand mobility, how can we measure it to
short time delays Optical transmission has bee.) ascert-m whether an artificial aid is actually
used, however, where range measurement was not a improving a blind individual's performance? Until
design goal now, the production of hardware has tended to
precede and outstrip any progress in the basic
"The question of how much information should be knowledge cf human goal-oriented locomotion This

154 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOLIWEIIII00. RESNA 11 114 154


MOBILITY DEVICES

lack of i nowledg, h s begun to be addressed, and


more basic research now underway into the problems
of orientation and mobility should yield a more
safosfactory the:I:otos:al bases for eng,neer.ng
design recisions

Discussion

"None of the electronic travel aids developed so


far has seriously challenged the supremacy of the
long cane There is little doubt, however, that
such aids can be a valuable addition to a bl,nd
traveler's available tools, espeLially for try ,

in unfamiliar areas If the true goals of mobi-


lity include traveling with "grace and indepen-
dence," then clearly the long cane nsuffi-
cient Whether using a long cane is graceful or
not of course is debatable, but in practice it
acts as a path clearer, causing other pedestrians
to step out of the way This is not independent
travel, nor can independence Ie achieved while it
is still necessary for the blind individual to ask
questions of passersby on virtually every aspect
of way-finding en unfamiliar areas

"The need for aids which can give advance warning


of bstacles and/or additional information about
the immediate environment, not to mention assis-
tance in global navigation, appears self-evident
The upcoming generation of mobility aids offers
the possibility of achieving some of these goals
at lower cost and greater convenience than pos-
sible before Serious efforts are being made to
improve upon past designs, whole advances in know-
ledge of the mobility process are strengthening
tha framework within which these new devices :an
be evaluated and refined There are good reasons
for expecting steady improvements in technologi-
cally assisted travel for the blind

Excerpted from "New Developments in Mobility


and Orientation Aids for the Blind," IEEE
Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol
BME-29, no 4, April 1982 Reprinted with
permission of the author

SOME SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Foundations of Orientation and Mobility Richard


L WP h and Bruce B L.lasch, Editors American
FounoJtion for the cllind, 15 West 16th Street, New
York, NY 10011 1980 Chapter 11, "Mobility
Devices," by Lee Farmer, is of particular
interest

Orientation Mobility Techniques A Guide for the


Practitioner Everet Hill and Purvis Ponder
American Foundation for the Blind, 15 West 16th
Street, New York, NY 10011

1 7,,

155 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 155


MOBILITY DEVICES

SEATING AND POSITIONING TECHNOLOGY

1N-RODUCTiON A bibliography oi puoucations focused on postural


seating As included in this section, for biblio-
Clinical application and research on seating tech- graphic references on pressure relief, see the
nology is generally divided into two major areas bibliographies in Zacherow's book Wheelchair Pos-
postural control and pressure relief The bulk of ture and Pressure Sores, in Krouskop's paper in
the information on postural control relates to the Journal of R&D, and in Jay's new book,
children with cerebral palsy, while the pressure Choosing the Best Wheelchair Cushion
relief field tends to focus on adults who have
sustained a spinal cord injury Much of what is THE FUNCTION OF A WHEELCHAIR CU-HION
written in both areas is much more broadly appli-
cable, to wider age ranges and to other disability "Most of the research into wheelchair cushions has
c..tegones If you are looking for information pn been done with those people most at risk to pres-
seating, you may want to look beyond the "intended sure sores, such as paraplegics .nd quadriplegics,
audience" label of the publication or product but they are minority users of wheelchai-_ An
English tudy found that 63% of whe 'chair
Many conferences and workshops held in recent were divided almost equally unto people with
years have demonstrated that seating, whether for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hem plegia
pressure relief or for postural control, is not and multiple sclerosis (including those with
only an area of major concern but one of tremen- closely related conditions) Among the remaining
dous controversy Everyone seems to have their 37% only 6% were paraplegic or quadraplegic Al-
own opinions about what works and what doesn't though one of the important functions of a wheel-
Although there is a considerable body of research cnair cushion is the prevention of pressure sores,
literature, very little exists in writing on use- there are other functions which, for some people,
ful clinical approaches and applications are more relevant In our survey we asked people
why they had been given wheelchair cushions
Paul Brand writes in the Journal of Rehablitatuon Forty -''ur percent replied that this was to make
R&D, July 1983, that sitting more comfortable Twenty-two percent said
that it was to reduce the likelihood of tissue
"A major defect in the whole system whereby re- damage and the resultant pressure sores Occa-
search projects are funded and articles are ac- sionally, and quite wrongly, a cushion was pre-
cepted for publication is that too many scientists scribed to compensate fora wheelchair which was
are looking at Objectives and not enough at Goals the wrong s e for the individual

The result, in major problems like pressure sores, 'Feiodson-Pell has written that The primary
is that the mass of knowledge about pressure on function of a wheelchair cushion is to provide an
tissue grows and grows, and th. actual management effective platform from which the patient may
of the problem is almost unaffected, or may be operate It is remarkably difficult for a patient
getting worse, nationwide to work at a table or bench, or for him to propel
a wheelchair, if the slung seat normally supplied
"Because of the multitude of uncontrollable vari- is his only support In addition to providing a
ables in the life of a series of hospital pa- stable seat, the wheelchair cushion improves com-
tients, and because of the larger variety of fort, aids posture and reduces the transmission of
variables in the home environment, most clinical shock during propulsion over uneven surfaces
scientists shy away from any attempt to evaluate Wheelchair cushions are &so provided to aid the
total programs They know they will be dissatis- patient when transferricg to other support sur-
fied with the objectivity and validity of their faces, and, for a relatively small proportion of
findings and they know they will be torn to wheelchair users, the wheelchair cushion provides
pieces by pure scientists and reviewers a vital function by reducing local concentration
of stress in tissues to prevent tissue ulcera
we need to look straight at the goal of tion'
prevention of pressw e sores, and recognize that
some of the mnst important objectives on the cri- "Not all these functions apply to every wheelchair
tical path towards tliat goal have escaped serious user and not all cushions fulfill every function
study because of the difficulty of analyzing the Nevertheless, a sling seat would not normaily be
whole life of whole people in terms that fit the cnosen for prolonged sitting It is probable that
requirement of basic scientific research if all patieins were properly assessed, cushions
would be automatically prescribed with most wheel-
Paul W Brand, FRCS chairs unless the were definite contra-
in Journal of Rehabilitation R&D, Vol 20, indications
No 1, 1983, page 73
"People who sit for long periods of time may use
wheelchair cushions on other seats Elderly
It takes a certain amount of courage for a clini- People who spend much of the day in an armchair
cian to disseminate info,. tion about his /pier may benefit from a wheelchair cushion, both to add
reproaches to seating Nonetheless, publications to their comfort and to prevent tissue damage
of clinical usefulness are beginning to appear Cushions are used by people with gynecological
They will be noted in this section problems, prostate gland problems, post-
hemorrhoidectomies and Whoa lesions of this area
particularly during travel and in recreational
17
156 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOUNCE11001I PIMA 1104 156
MOBILITY DEVICES

They are used by people who are unduly sensitive "The most commonly cited causes of pressure. sores
to pressure in the region of the sciatic nerve and included
by people who are underweight or have gluteal
musule wasting who find sitting without a swami, P.01,,,,yud smut during ()any acted ties,
cushion too uncomfortable They are also used by activities such as card playpIg and video games
hemophiliacs to reduce the likelihood of duma
2 Use of old deteriorated wheelchair cushions
from Choosing Or; Best Wheelchair Cushion for your
needs, your chair, and your lifestyle Peggy Jay, 3 Activities that involve sitting on uncushtoned
Dip COT,SROY The Royal Association for Disabi- areas such as a bathtub or sitting on a floor to
lity and Rehabilitaton, 25 Mortimer Street, London play with ioung members of the family
W1N 8A8. Revised edition, 1984 Also available
from RESNA, Suite 402, 4405 East-West Highway, 4 Falls while transferring from a wheelchair or
Bethesda, MD 20814, 301/657-4142 bed

5 Sitting too soon after a surgical procedure to


PRESSURE RELIEF correct a vertebral defect, or even curing the
comprehensive rehabilitation process
"At home or work, prevention of pressure sores and
treatment of the early stages of pressure-induced 6 Excessive sweating or irregular attention to
tissue damage are extremely difficult for even skin condition
conscientious patients Our understanding of the
sore's etiology is not complete and what under- 7 Wearing clothing that has exaggerated seamlines
standing does exist has not been transferred (such as Jeans), which can cause pressure to con-
widely to practical solutions that accomodate centrate on areas that would normally not carry
daily activity pattern= Similarly, technological significant loads"
aids that effectively reduce an individual s risk
of developing a sore are not widely disseminated
and utilized" This article goes on to elaborate on a clinical
program at TIRR, Houston, and to discuss the his
Pressure sores are severe and potentially tory of pressure management research
life-threatening complication for many individuals
with physical disabilities In 1968 the Veterans Excerpted from the introduction of 'The Effective-
Administration estimated that 50 percent of all ness of Preventive Management in Reducing the
quadriplegic veterans will require hospitalization Occurrence of Pressure Sores", in Journal of Re-
because of pressure-related problems during their habilitation R&D, Vol 20, No 1, July 1983, pp
lifetime and more than 30 percent of the para- 74-83, by Thomas A Krouskop, PE, PhD, Philip
plegic population will have a similar fate It C Noble, M S, Susan L Garber, 0 T R, and
was also estimated by the VA that approximately William A S.)er.cer, M 0, at The Institute for
one-fourth of these persons will die as a direct Rehabilitation and Research in the Texas Medical
consequence of pressure sores The magnitude of Center, 1333 Moursund Avenue, Houston, Texas
the problem is further emphasized ',when an analysis 77030
similar to thnse done by Rol inson in Canada, Noble
in Australia, and Mottoch in California is per- Available from
formed on the problem in the U S Using the Government Printing Office
assumptions and uata from these analyses, the Washington, DC 20402
ned,..al costs associated with curing pressure Stock Number 051-000-00161- 3
sores in the U S A are estimated to exceed
$2,000,000,000 per year This estimate is consis-
tent with the information presented in the Tech-
nology Section of the NIHR long range plan 1981-
1986, which emphasized that the effects of For Commercial Sources of Cushions, contact the
pressure on tissue is a high priority area for ABLEDATA system, which currently lists over 170
research and demonstration activities different types of wheelchair cushions

"The social costs associated with pressure sores


are even greater than the medical costs These
costs include (1) time lost from a productive
vocation with its attendant economic impact on
individual and family, (2) time lost from school,
which has far-reaching and long-term impact be-
cause the disabled person's vocational potential
is limited, which generates long-term dependency,
(3) loss of time fror, the family which can have a
significant psychological impact vn the person's
social development, and (4) los3 of general
personal intiepe adeiice and productivity that ul-
timately contributes to a se ious loss of self-
esteem and self-worth

157 TECHNOo_OGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEI300A RESNA 1984 157


MOBILI7Y DEVICES

SOME NEW PUBLICATIONS

Choosing_ the best Whee!ch?ir Cus"non fri.r your and n considerable detail practical mit ;sures
needs, your c'eair and your lifestyle Peggy Jay which may be undertaken by rehabilitation workers
The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabill- and disabled individuals to reduce the risk of
tatron (RADAR), 25 Mortimer Street, London WIN this complication to an absolute minimum The
8AB, England 203 pages L5 1984 monograph concludes with an analysis of the cli-
nical results of the prevention program advocated,
"Peggy Jay, a British occupational therapist, has drawing from the experience of Royal Perth Rehabi-
written an excellent book which brings some sense litation Hospital over the decade 1970-1979,
of organs tation to the irformation currently complete with a detailed estimate of its cost
available in the wheelchair cusnion area The effectiveness An attempt is made throughout to
book was prepared as part of the Aidt. Assessment base all discussion upon the pooled experience of
Programme which the English government finances ir many rehabilitation centers throughout the world
order to assess a range of aids in a practical through repeated reference io the published
way, as distinguished from the more scientific literatore, however, the practical and statistical
evaluation nece_ -y when undertaking a research aspects o' this work are essentially drawn from
project experiences in Western Australia Contents
incluoe basic data on pressure sores as a compli-
Information about wheelchair cushions was compiled cation of spinal cord injury, etiological factors
from four different sources associared with pressure sores, practical measures
for the prevention of pressure sores, the costs
1 Experts in this field, including bioengineers, and benefits of a clinical pressure management
therapists and doctors, were asked for information program, the need for research and service in
about wheelchair cushioning oressure sore prevention

2 Suppliers of t ushions were invited to the hos- Wheelchair Posture and Pressure Sores Dennis
pital to demonstrate their cushions Zacharkow, R P T Charles C Thomas, Publisher,
Springfield, II 1984 98 pages
3 Gel, water, air and the more comolicated foam
cushions were pui,:hased and tried out by a variety The author of this book explores wheelchair sit-
of wheelchair users ting posture as a major etiologic factor in pres-
sure sore formation Following an introduction on
4 A field study covering 45 people provided more the prealence and medical expense of pressure
information about cushion useage and spanned a sores amlng the spiral cora injured, chapters
longer cushion life than was possible on a cushion detail prr,er sitting posture for able-bodied
trial individuals, inherent proLlems with the wheelchair
as a seat, essential modifications for proper
This book does have some minor drawbacks for sitting posture, pelvic obliquity ar d pressure
North American readers Since she is writing from sores, wheelchair cushion selection, acute care
a British perspectw-:, price and availability considerations, and pressure sore recurrences
information refer to British prices and British The application of posturing principles to other
suppliers However, with the information that is pa.ient populations concludes the t.'xt"
provided about each cushion, however dimen
sions, composition, advantages and disadvantages
a North American reader would have little dif- PRGTECTIVE AIDS
ficulty in locating a particular cushion Even
relatively recent additions to the marketplace Assistive and Protective Devices for the Handi-
such as the VASIO-PARA cushion and the low profile capped M J Martin (editor) Georgia Retarrta-
Roho are included in this volume tion Center, 4770 North Peachtree Road, NE,
Atlanta GA 30338 July 1981 This manual pro-
The Prevention of Pressure Sores in Persons with vides eract cal information on a selection of
Solna! Cord Injuries Philip C Noble Monograph adaptive and protective devices such as helmets,
No 11 Available from Worlil Rehabilitation eye protectors, rnittss, protective gloy_s, elbow
Fund, Inc , International Exchango of Information restraints, pelvic supports, etc
in Rehabilitation Program 400 Ea 34th Strew
New Yark, NY 10016 A Resource Guide to Protective Aids J Frank, K
Mallik, W Chiu, arm Lowry Job Development Lab-
Although the subject o' pressure sores has been oratory, The George Washington University, 2300
welt canvassed in the nursing and rehabilitation Eye Street NW Suite 420, Washington, DC 20037
literature, in terms of techniques for management Protective aids are listed according to the part
and resolution of established ulceration, the of the body to lie protected and the type of pro-
theme of pressure sore prevention has general', tection required Includes helmets, restraints
been neglected This is particularly true in the and supports, slings and splints, pressure relief
case of the independent "rehabilitated" paraplegic and skin protection Lists manufacturers and
or quadriplegic for whom pressure sores are a suppliers
constant threat to continued independence in the
home, workplace, and on the sports field This
monograph explains, with a practical inclination, See also Beds, page 57
the magnitude of the "pressure sore problems," the
scientific basis of this form of skin ulceration,

158 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 158


MOBILITY DEVICES

POSTURAL SEATING

"Cper-iAlized °_eating and mobility services for Finelly, the plywood itself can give .,cc
children and adolescents has become a clinical splinters, absorb flnids, and add excess weight to
reality in increasing numbers of facilities during the seat
the past decade More and more professionals are
recognizing the positive contributions that can be 4 More Information A good brochure entitled
made to the lives of these individuals through the "Technical Aspects of Cerebral Palsy Seating and
Judicious provision of appropriate seating and Terms' was prepared by the Rehabilitation Engi
mobility technology Commercial suppliers are neer-mg Department, Ontario Crippled Children s
also responding to this awakening r arket Parti- Centre Toronto, Canada
cularly in the past five years the number of
commercial options available to families and cli- Commercial so ,rces of pre-fabricated plywood foam
nicians has drastrcally increased Current and vinyl inserts (or close variations) include
research efforts suggest that this trend will ERAC, Portland, OR, Raton Company, Rifton, NY,
continue, but with increased emphasis being Kaye Products Durham, NC, Canadian Wheelchair,
focused on the needs of the more severely handi- Ltd , Toronto, Canada, MSC Corporation Detroit
capped" MI, Luxury Liners Arcadia, CA, Mobility Plus
(formerly Mulholland Corporation), Santa Paula
from Preface, Seating for C'.Idren with Cerebral CA (they have a new wheelchair-bas insert
Palsy A Resource Manual E erne Tref ler, Editor system)

B Old Methods New Materials


Although clinically useful oublications are begin-
ning to be available, seating workshops continue 1 Description Inc-easing numbers of centers
to be an important way to exchange practical are substituting thermoplastics for plywood in
information T' rticle by Rick Holte was ori- their custom seating programs The thermoplastics
ginally present at a seating workshop at Stan- usually ABS, Kydex polyethylene or polypro
ford (January 1983) He gives an overview of the pylene can be thermoformed or bent to give
technology currently being used to produce pos contouring which is imavailable with plywood
tural seating systems Its tone is more informal
than a publication usually permits, almost chatty, 2 Advantages More contouring means less pad-
but it's a little less intimidating than some of ding This new generation of conventional inserts
the other discussions of foams, plastics, shells, is usually lighter and more streamlined than their
etc He a;s0 provides some useful tips to con- plywood predecessors
sider if you are thinking about getting into the
custom-seating market Additionally, thermoplastics lo not splinter or
absorb moisture Finally if molds are made
(There is also a complete and somewhat more formal repeatable seating modules can he made This has
discussion of these technologies in Seating for proven useful in speeding service and reducing
Children with Cerebral Palsy A Resource Manual. costs, as noted in reports by Douglas Hobson (Um
Elaine Trefler, Editor ) versity of Tennessee Memphis MPI System) and
Richard Holte (Rehabilitation Centre for Children
another modular system) But we II get to
A BRIEF GUIDE TO POSTURAL SEATING TECHNOLOGY full- blown modular systems in a minute

I CONVENTIONAL METHOOS 3 Disadvan. les Some of the therrno plastics


are suscep, , to embrittlement in extremes of
A Traditional Insert Fabrication cold weather Care must also be taken that parts
which are vacuum formed are not thinned out d
1 Description Usually using plywood, polyure- greatly weakened
thane foam and vinyl upholstery, an insert is made
to suit an individual based on anatomic l mea ire- 4 More Information Suitable thermoplastics
ments Dependiny on how it's done, the inset.. may can he bought from your favorite local supplier
Icok like a foam-lined plywood shell (box insert) or big firms ,uch as Cadillac Plastics Borg
or a padded seat and separate back with lateral Warner has assembled a useful booklet with tips on
restrictions (bread-board insert) handling and forming ABS Unitec States Menufac
tuning Company of Pasadena California chiefly
2 Advantages Low overhead and readily avail a supplier to t p-ostheticsrurthotics industry
able technology are the chief assets of this tech- has also produced a monograph on thermoforming
nique With a bit of skill and patience a wide plastics heater for bending tnermoplastics can
varlet.: of insert styles can be produced be made inexpensively using bar heating element
but wa,ch the local electrical and safety
3 Limitations Depending on the local labor codes' Hand held heat guns are helpful for auxi
rate, and degree of disability, this method may be liary heating sources, for delicate work, and for
more costly then similar inserts that are avail- small local reliefs
able commercially Using this method, for
example, it an be very difficult and costly to C Modular Plastic Seating_Systems
produce a total contact supportive back far some-
one with extreme scoliosis Upholstery of an 1 Description A series of pre-fabricated seat
awkwardly shaped cushion can be a limitation and back modules is available, possibly in differ-
'
AL a 1

159 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 150


MOBILITY DEVICES

ent sizes These are selected by appropriate size The Pogon or MacLaren umbroller-style stroller
(and style, if applicable) and usually positioned should be familiar to most Another fold-up
in a wheelchair on mounting hardware that is also stroller offering less support than a transport
part of the system Thos a perenn117sari ructr.ro (-hair hut more than a en-n-In Ur`r-edq.ed stroller
insert is assembled from stock component , by care- is the Cruiser stroller, made by Convaid of Palos
ful selection and adjustment Verdes California

2 Advantages By utilizing the same modules in For children up to 100 lbs, the Britax car seat
assessment phase as in the final insert, one has a is said to meet British safety standards It is
fairly clear idea of the probable effect of the available through Abbey Medical, or Childsafe
insert Assessment is speeded and largely removed Company (new name Columbia Medical Manufacturing
from the realm of conjecture Prefabrication ed I in Pacific Palisades, California
should allow central production reducing price
per un t, and making the service more widely For automobile travel, infants could be seated in
available by avoiding the necessity of involving any number of safety-tested car seats Larger
very highly specialized people in the fabrication children might use a trunk harness and lapbelt
cf all inserts system offered by the Mothercare Company of
England Another system is manufactured by Safe
In addition to this theory, three reports have 'n' Sound Pty Ltd of Morphettvale (Box 421),
emerged (Tref ler, Tooms, and Hobson, 1978, Nolte, South Australia Strolee of California also manu-
1980, Seeger and Sutherland, 1981) stating the factures a booster seat, and a harness system
success and wide applicability of their systems
3 Non-Insert Trunk Supports The Rut-net( Body
3 Disadvantages If you have to wait for Support is a vest-like bag filled with polystyrene
parts, your p-ogram grinds to a halt The alter- beads When evacuated, the vest becomes nearly
native is to stockpile, which adds to your over rigid It can be molded to different shapes, and
itead is manufactured by Innoventico Products, Ltd of
fiushey, Hertsfordshtre, England They also pro-
This concept does not work for everyone Persons ouce a hand-operated pump for extracting the air
having moderate to severe disabilities are not
generally good candidates, nor are high t^ne, Several companies offer adjustable lateral trunk
profoundly involved individuals with spasticity supports which can be retrofitted to a wheelchair
The SYS pads are available through MED distribu-
The comments above in Section IB3 on durability of tos, who also carry the MED trunk supports Sc.-
plastics are germane medics Company of ,naheim, California produces its
own trunk pads Major catalog supply houses offer
4 More Information The Memphis Insert System different syies ,f adjustable lateral trunk pads
(MPI) is available through MED dealers For
informaton on the Winnipeg work, contact Mr
Michael Forbes, Director, Special Dev -.es Depart- II INDIREC1 CUSHION FABRICATION TECHNIQUES
ment, at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children in
Winnipeg You can correspond with Dr Barry This section will include special fabrication
Seeger at the Regency Park Centre for Physically techniques in which the insert component is not
Handicapped Children in Kilkenny South Australia made directly on the patient's body, but remotely
A modular plastic system for young children is the Nearly all techniques start with a casting, then
Achiever Seat, distributed by G E Miller of proceed to a plaster replica of the anatomy, on
Yonkers, New York Finally, the Gunnell Company which is produced the final insert This casting
of Vassar, Michigan, produces a series of dber- technique is a specialty unto itself, and will be
glas shells (and several other accessories) whi',h presented as such
can be padded and upholstered as needed
Generally, custom fabrication techniques are not
D More Commercial EquIpment invoked unless standard apploi. is have been tried
cr assessed and rejected, usually for reasons of
1 Adapted Wheelchairs There are a number of poor results, high cost, long delivery time, or
wheelchairs which are manufactured with postural all of the above Custom fabrication techniques,
support in mind Some have quite a few adapta direct or indirect, are thus a resource of last
bons, others almost none And, some manufactur- resort in many cases
ers will custom-make parts to your specifications
Adapted wheelchairs include those manufactured by A Plywood Foam, Vinyl Custom Insert
Gendron Archbi. of Ohio, the Avon DeLuxe by
Newton of England, the Postura by Everest and 1 Description Technique is applied as de-
Jennings of Camarillo, California, the Multi scribed in 2 lions IA arid IB, except that more
Position Chair (more of a bed, really), also be emphasis must be put on grinding out the foam to a
Everest & Jennings, the original Mulholland s.,hair, suitable shape
on its own base, and the Hogg Transportation Chair
and the wooden relaxation chair, available through 2 Advantages As before, this can be the
several catalog supply firms cheapest method, when it works This is my pre-
ferred method for making unusual seat components
2 Transport Chairs The original transport It is possible) to provide lateral bolsters to
chair by OrthoKinetics of Wsconsin has been stsbtleze a drifting palls, allow for a leg-
joir.ed by the Safety Travel Company chair, pro- length discrepancy, produce a wedged or stepped
duced in Elyria, Ohio, and several other brands anterior of seat for pelvic containment and hip
1 7 L,
160 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEVAIDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK NESNA 1164 160
MOBILITY DEVICES

flexion, or provide selecting padding build-up supports affixes to it The back provides a solid
under an oblique pelvis By upht..Isteril.g compo- place to anchor the side trunk pads, and must be
nents separately, and positioning them by bolting thermoformed to accommodate severe spinal de-
to a plastic external shell, one can remove, formities It is not neceFsary for the back to
replace, or adjust the components more easily and come fa- forward on the 'ides of tha tnp-.,, as the
less expensively than if a total seat replacement lateral pads will fulfill the support function
were needed 'here
3 Limitations It can quite difficult to 2Advantages The lateral trunk pads can be
make a cittap total cant- Jck sunoort for the moved, or replaced, without rejectir.; the entire
person wi h a significant toliosis, rotation, rib back Thus, an element of modification s avail-
hump, am so forth Bet, it could be considered able The lateral bolsters should allow the user
fir a oers an with a slight deformity of the back, bet.er natural ventilation by providing less cir-
especially if lateral trunk bolsters are used in cumfere I containment than some other tech-
conjunction (they allow you to provide a shallower niques
cutout by protruding forward to movide the sup-
port c . the sides) 3 Limitations The relative positions of seat
back and bolsters must be noted carefully The
B Trc.drtional Orthotics process is fairly time consuming
An orthosis can be effective in a systei fiJi a 4 Further Information Further information is
wheelchair-using person It can he combined with available from Rick Nolte at the Rehabilitation
a simple insert, where the orthosis prosiaes the Engineering Center Children's Hospital at Stan
structural support to the spine and the insert ford ,n Palo Alto California
supplements the person's balance and secures him
ni the chair An advantage of ortnoses is that E Vacuum FIKat101 (one piece)
they can continue to provide support after the
person he, left the wheelchair, even to the point 1 Description Chailey Heritage, Surrey
of being worn in bed or in the bath England, was one of a few institutions who
pioneered the vacuum-fixation (evacuated bean bag)
C The Gilette Seating Support Orthosis casting technique After producing a plaster
positive of the client from head tc toe if neces-
1Description The Gilette system borrows sary, a seat was thermoformed over the plaster
heavily from standard erthofics practice, and is model A trial fitting established trim and atti-
literally a wheelcna, based orthosis The tude lines A second sheet was ft frmoformed to
patient is cast while prone with hips flexed The produce a more regular exte, or and suitable base
insert is a combination seat-and-b. supoort for interfacing Variations on this large body
which 'ay have a front closing ap and;o: a head cast from bean bag impression method have been
support appended to it reparted t / the University of Vigmia, Tufts New
E igland Medic;.7! Center the Institute of Medit_al
2 AdvantagesBorrowing from orthotics prac- Jhysics in Utrecht, Moss Rehabilitation Center,
tice is a good idea, as this opens op a tremendous Derbyshire Royal Infirmary ad Dundee Limb
potential source of custom iserts Minor adjust- Fitting Center
ments for growth, etc, can be made simply by
heating and flariog the shell An integral seat/ 2 Advantages id Limitations As with many of
back shell made from the casting assures the rela- the 'mpression originated techniques one trades
tive positions are not lost The system is light off speed and low cost for nredictability and
in weight process control with this method As a one-piece
led insert it has the advantage of preserving
3 Limitations As with many custom-made toe relative seat/back ieritation but lacks
orthoses, this seat will have a limited lifespan, somewhat in adeistability Large ones will be
depending upon the growth pattern of the user awkward to naddle (and to make for that m 'tier)
Orthotists providing the insert should be experi- one-piece inserts of ier the hope of use in a non-
enced in seating as well ds orthotics The wheelchair bas which could he handy
casting methed is effective, but it NI II evoke
controversy in the NDT-therapy cammunity when used 3 More Information Consult the following
with cerebral palsied patient publications
4 More Information More information can be Prosthetics and Orthoti s International Cost
found in the article entitled "The Gilette Seating Effective Molded Seating for the Handicapped
Orthosis" by Martin Carlson and Robert Winter Child, NicOuilton and Johnson, 1981 Melded Sup-
Orthotics and Prosthetics December 1978, or you portive Seating f.a. the Disabled, Rona, Nelham,
can write to the cothors at Gilette Children's and Person, 1978, Vol 2
Hospital in St Paul, Minnesota A central fabri-
cation service is available through Symplex A Method for Custom Seating of the Disabled
Orthotics Systems of W. ter Park, Florida Pritham and per Orthotics and Prosthet
December, 1st,
D Thermoformed St-allow Back and Literal
Bois ars
Proceedings International Confe.ence on Rehabili-
tation, 1980, Toronto 'else at .-Reusable Casting
1 Descuption From a p' ster nositive, a
Tecbnigue for Customized lotal Contact Seating,
shAllow back 18 thermo',1rmed and lateral trunk O'Reagen and Law, Individually Customized Postural

161 TECHNOLO(Y FOR 11 -1EPENDENT SOURCEPIVK *IESNA 1914 161


MOBILITY DEVICES

Support System, May, at al pump and fairly small beam bags can be obtained
from innovention P-oducts, Ltd, 10 Coldharbour
F Foam -Box (FIB) Method Lane, Bushey, Hertsfordshire, United Kingdom PRA
Plastics and Developments, Ltd of 21A Kingsland
i Description A plaster positive of the sign Street, Daiston, London, United Kingdom, v II
client's back is prepared and placed into an ad custom make a set evacuable bags io your speci-
;Listable mold box Liquid foam components are fications
mixed, poured in the mold box, and react chemical-
ly to produce a flexible urethane foam 1 he
cushion is then molded around the plaster posi- III DIRECT CASTINC METHODS
tive Later, it is upholsteied and mounted in
shell fcr suopor/ A Foam-in-Placo (FIP) Method

2 Advantages Because a foam cushion is pro- 1Description The patient is placed aga nst a
duc-1, it will "forgive' areas of high point con- sheet of latex rubber draped over a closed box
tact detier th in a padded rigid shell A high Two-part liquid foam is mixed, poured into the
quality, custoin-forced cushion -.an be made with mold box, and reacts chemically to produce a
anterior "wrap" of the lateral portions paA the flexible polyurethane foam The foam fills the
thoracic midline cavity of the box, and forms an imoression or the
part of the patient pressed against and into the
3 Limitations Foam is an insulator, and in latex sneet The cushion thus formed is removed
hot climeti:s this could be a very uncomfortable from the mold box and installed in the wheelci air
in,e-t Because of the relative compressibility
cf the foam, firm auxiliary lateral trunk supports 2 Advantages The greatest advai,tage of FIP
should be added for someone with a collapsing over indirect methods is the imrr.,diacy of results
scoliosis Delays to the patient are minim zed The final
cushion is produced al, -.st immediately, so there
4 More Information See the 1980 Proceedings is no waiting to see if useful cushion is pro
of the International Conference on Rehabilitaticn duced from the castinb npression
Enyneering, Toronto, A Comparison of (hree Ctitnm
Seating Techniques, by Forbes, Holte and 3 Limitat ons Great -aution should be exer-
van Kampen John Rodgers, of Scimedics in cised in handling and using the foam components
Anaheim, California, may be able to provide tech- Misuse may result 'n ouite unpIeasant con-
nical and/or product assistance Pin Dct products sequences
of Not hbrook, Illinois, offers a central fabrica-
tion FIB service, calling it Contour-I' Their Supporting toe perser in the desired position can
product is slightly different than I h., described be difficult They should not be moved for three
above, and they can provide extra support for the to five minutes while the foam "sets up," cr it
trunk, head, feet and so on may ,:ollapse and one must start again

Evacuable Bean Bag Casting_Method The mold cannot be "packed" (overcharged) or the
patient's position will be compromised In the
1 Description The patient is pia ed against a Foam-in-Box method (Section this "packing"
polymeric or latex tag filled with small poly- produces a higher dense y, higher quality foam
styrene beads By drawing the air out of the bag,
the beads push close together, becoming nearly 4 Further Information FIP method has been
rigid with high vacuum Because the bag itself is de-cribed by Hobson, Driver, and Hanks in The
supple, it conforms to the person s surface Proceedings of the 5th Annual Conference on Sys-
anatomy tems and Devices for the Disabled (Houston, 1978)
under the title "Foam-in-Place Seating for the
Often, t'te beanbag is used to approximate the Severely Disabled Preliminary Results" Also
final insert cushion Modifications for improved worthy of rote are the reports on toxicity
patient comfort ano,',.. posture cal be made by (actually nontoxicity) and safe handling proce-
allowing a bit of 4 r L,,ck into the bag, working dures prepared by Mr Hobson, of the University of
the heads nto the new, designed position, then Tennessee, Memphis
reevacuatiog the air Using several bags (or a
ultiple compartmer' bag) allows a stment of B Solidified Beanbag
part of the cushion wile the rest ot the position
is retained 1 Description The patie,it is oIaccd against a
fie", blo bag partly filled with ,mall diameter
2 Advantages This method of casting permits a pol,ityreni needs The bag is evacuated, and the
well-controlleo evaluation and impression-taking beads form an impressioi of the occupant Next,
sessluit By u' ing the bean hag to mock-up the adhesive is infected into the bag It ac 'res the
final insert, the patient's reaction can be individual beads together, forming a cusiiion
viewed directly against the patient's body The patient
is removed, and the cushion is smoothed and
3 Limitations The major drawbacks are the mounted in the wheelchair
lengthy time required to produce an insert trom
the impression, and the ievestrnent in equipment 2 Advantages This is also a very rapid method
that is necessary of making an insert speed ot the FIB 's
cnclOoned with the control of positml afforded t ,

4 More Information A hand-oi irated vacuum the Lean bay; evacuation technique LI, plaster
1
162 TFCHNOLOGV FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCIEBOOK RE3NA IMM 162
MOBIUTY DEVn.ES

intermediary step is eliminated the UK design have been marketed in Europe USA
distribution is being undbrtaken by MED Contact
3Limitations Phis is one of the only ntethods Jeff Offner, REHAB Co, 2811 Zulette Avenue,
where the patient interface material is the same Bronx, NY 10461 The early work on this concept
as the structural body of the insert Clearly, is described in a paper by the MERU aroun that
one may have problems balancing these, either appeared to the 1980 Proceedings of the Interna-
producing an insert which is strong but too hard, tional Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering in
or soft but not durable The University of Toronto
Tennessee Rehabilitation Engineering Center is
considering this problem by investigating quick-
c. 'e flexible matrix materials Alternatively, Richard N iiolte MSc Rehabilitation Engineering
the insert could be ',upported in a rigid shell for Center, Children's Hosea at Stanford 520
strength and/or lined with a thin layer of com- Willow Road, Palo Alto, C" 94304
pliant foam and upholstered

The Orthopedic Research and Locomotion Assessment Complete references to papers cited can be found
Unit (ORLAU) at Oswestry, Shropsoire, United King- in the Portural Seating Bibliography, page 173
dom, seems to have lost some of their enthusiast
for this method Their 1981 report finds no
problem with durability, but leaves the impression
that smoothing the seats was prov A to be more
laborious than orepnally thought

4 More Information Write to ORLAU an ask for


their 1980 and 1981 reports, and to ' University
of Tennessee-Memphis Rehapditation L igineering
Program for Annual Report Nu 6

The Southern Research Institute produced an


article entitled "The DESEMO Cestomi,..d Seating
Support Custom-Molded Support for Severely
Disabled Persons" It was written by Sandy More,
et al, and appeared in the April, 1982 edition
the Journal of the American Prysical Therapy Asso-
ciation A kit for providing insert; by this
method is being marketed by Desemo, Inc, of
Savannah, Georgia

inhn Rodgers, of Scimedics CJmpan,,,, Anaheim Cali-


fornia, may be ahle to offer technical advice
and/or product support

C Shapable Matrix

1 Desciip..an This system is unique in that


it has an adjustable surface which can be shaped,
eilusted, and enlaroed to suit the clemt's needs
The surface is made up from literally hundreds of
small interlocking plastic elements Mechanical
devices can be tightened to hold a shape, or
loosenei to permit local adjustments The
shapable surface is supported on a tubing frame,
and covered by a layer of foam

2 Advantages the shapable quality allows


rn.nor and major oujustment customizing Ex
tension for growth can be r ,ie No intermediate
idlest( work is needed P i incidental benetit is
the good natural ventilation with this approach

3 Disadvantages There may be a problem with


hygiene, aS there are literally hundreds of small
places to clean Some large, strong patients may
be able to bend the matrix out of shape The
issue of upholstery is not yet entirely res,-dve

4 More Information Two prototype systems are


under development One is at the Medical Engi
neering Resource Center, University of British
Columbia, Vanco'jver, Canada The other is being
done by Steven Counsir'. at BRADU, cio-Jhamj ton,
London, United Kingdom More than 1,000 ii,s of S

163 TECHNOLOGY nR INDEPENDENT LIVING SCURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 163


MOBILITY DEVICES

SEATING SERVICE PROGRAMS

The ibriliber listed represent those responding Case YYestern Reserve University
;:o a request for information in the University of Rehab,' ,'ion Engineering Program
Tennessee Rehabilitation Engineering Seating News- 3395 Scra-ton Road
leder. They are listed alphabetically by STATE Cleveland, OH 44123
216/359-3480
Centers who provide seating services, but who did
not have access to , 1 initial questionnaire, are Elizabethtown Hospital & Rehabilitation Center
welcome to send iniurmation about their programs Elizabethtown, PA 1702:
to University of Tennessee, Rehabilitation Engi- 717/367-1161
neering Program, 682 Court Avenue, Memphis, TN,
attn Elaine Tref ler, OT, for inclusicn in an Shriners Hospital for Crippled Ch.ldren
updated list Greenville Unit
2100 N Pleasantburg Drive
Alo endorsements are implied by inclusion on thiL Greenville, SC 29609
list If you have information to add to, change, 803/244-4530
or delete from this list, please send it to the
RrGNA Sourcebook editor University of Tennessee
Rehabilitation Engineering Program
682 Court Avenue
USA Memphis, TN 33163

Rehabilitation Engineering Center Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children
Children's Hospital at Stanford 2222 Welborn Avenue
520 Willow Road Dallas, TX 75219
Palo Alto, CA 94304 214/521-3168
415/327-4800
University of Virginia
Newington Children's Hospital Rehabilitation Ennineermg Center
181 E Cedar Street P 0 Box 3368
Newington, CT 061 i 1 University Station
203/667-5260 Charlottesville, VA 22903
104/977-6736
University Hospital School
University of Iowa Depart' lent of Rehabilitation Engineering
Iowa City, IA 52242 University Hospital & Clinics
Room E3 /711
Capper Fc.muation for Crippled Children 600 N Highland Avenue
3500 W 10th Street Madison, WI 53792
Topeka, KS 66604 608/263-8060
913/272-4060

University of Kansac Medical Center Canada


39th and Rainbow elvr'
Kansas Cry, KS 66103 Calgary General Hospital
913/588-6898 Ortho,:c Clinic
841 Centre Avenue NE
Lakeville Hospital Calgary, Alberta T2E OA1
Lakeville, Mt 0'602
Glenrose Hospital
Gillette Children's Hospital Physical Rehabilitation Unit
200 E University Vanue 10230-111 Avenue
St Paul, MN 55101 Edmonton, Alberta T5G OB7
612/291-2848
Rehabilitation Center for Children
tr. versa!, of Mississn,oi Medical Ce .ter 633 Welling 'n Crescent
Orthopedic Division Winnipeg, Manitoba Fi'M 0A8
2500 North State Street 204/452-4311
Jackson, MS 39216
601/987-4557 Forest Hill Rehabilitation Centre
Wo. ,ridge Street
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation i'redencton, New Brunswick E3B 4R3
Pleasant Valley Way 50b '455-3309
West Orange, NJ 07052
201/731-3600 !leak Walton Killam hospital for Children
!850 University Avenue
Blytt.rele Children's Hosnital Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3G9
Bradhurst Avenue 902/424-3025
Valhalla, NY 10595
914/592-7555
1 s ,_
164 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCS10011( MUM 111114 164
MOBILITY DEVICES

Cerebral Palsy Centre


Chedoke-McMaster Hospital
Bo( 2000
Hamilton, Ontario
4'6/388-0240

KW Rotary Chtldren's Centre


828 King Street W
Kitchener, Ontario W2G 1 E8
5r 9/579-3650

Ontario Crippled Children's Centre


350 Rumsey R. ad
Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R8
i 6/425-6220

Royal Ottawa Regional Centre


P&O Department
505 Smyth Road
Gttawa, Ontario 8M2
613/737-7350

Hoipita! Marie Enfant


5200 est Belanger
Montreal, Quebec H1T 1C9
514/374-1710

Saskatchewan Council for Crippled Children &


Adults
1410 Kilburn Avenue
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7M 0J8
306/663-1694

University Hospital Physical Medicine & Pediatrics


Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
306/343-3560
306/652-3871

Also see the list of service centers .n


COMMUNICATION section Since it is usually neces-
sary to have the person properly seated before a
communication aid can Le recommended, most commu-
nication services have a source for seating nearby

165 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK REFNA 1964 165


MOBILITY DEVICES

SOME COMMERCIAL SOURCES OF SEATING AND MOBILITY SYSTEMS

WHEELCHAIR POSITIONING SYSTEMS Rifton Equipment for the Handicapped


Rfton, NY 12471
Abbey Medical 914/658-3141
3216 El Segundo Blvd
Hawthorne, CA 90252 Theradyne Corporation
21730 Hanover Strec
Columbia Medical Manufacturing Lakeville, MN 55044
(formerly Childsafe) 612/469-4404
P 0 Box 633
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Also see WHEELCHAIR section, Commercial Sources of
213/454-6612 Wheelchairs

ERAC Creative Rehab Equipment


51; N E, Schuyler Street MODULAR SEATING SYSTEMS
Portland, OR 97212
503/288-8179 Aames Rents & Sells
800/547-4611 122 No Glassell
Orange, CA 92666
Everest & Jennings, Inc
3233 East Mission Oaks Blvd Adaptive Rehab Equipment
Camarillo, CA 93G10 Conmed Equipment Corp
805/987-6911 1130 Donumy Glen
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Gendron, Inc 201/561-0906
Lugbill Road
Archbold Ohic 43502 Canadian Wheelchair Mfg
419/445-6060 20 Magnetic Drive
800/537-2521 Downiview, Ontario M3 1 2C4
CANADA
Gunnell Manufacturing Company Inc 416/661-35c5
221 N Water Street
P 0 Box 1694 ERAC C. native Rehab Equipment
Vassar, MI 48768 513 N E, Schuyler Street
17/823-8557 Portland, OR 97212.
503/288-8179
Invacare Corporation 800/547-4611
1200 Taylor Street
Elyria, OH 44035 Freedom Designs, Inc
1884 Eastmar .,venue, Suite 11
J A Preston Corp Ventura, CA 93003
' Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10003 lnvacare Corporation
800/221-2425 1200 Taylor Street
Elyria, 01-1 44035
Mobility Plus
1;ormerly L Mulholland Corp ) R C Hayes Leicester) Ltd
215 N 12th Street Main Street
PO Box 391 Kirby Muxloe
Santa Paula, CA 93060 Leicester, England (0536)
805/525-7165 394738

Newton Aids (England) J A Preston Corp


U S Distributor 71 Fifth Avenue
Newton, USA New York, NY 10003
469 Ridge Roz.-d W 800/221-2425
Rochester, NY 14615
Kay Prod icts, Inc
Ortho-Kinetics Adaptive Equipment for Children
P 0 Box 436 1010 East Pettigresv Street
W220 N507 Springdale Durharn, NC 2"/07
Waukesha, WI 53'87 919/688-1601

Palm Beach Medical luxury Liners


c/o Riomedics 18929 Norwalk Blvd
P 0 Box 131, IPS Suite 105
Springfield, MA 01188 Artesia, CA 90701
213/926-4255

1'
166 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK TIESNA 1984 166
MOBILITY DEVICES

Medical Equipment Distributors (MEDi MOLT ID BODY SUPPORT


1701 S First Avenut,
Maywood, IL 60153 DESEMO, Inc
312/681-2828 P 0 Box 22309
r.tk
Miller Rental & Sales 800/342 -7661
284 Market Street
Akron, OH 44308 Freedom Designs, Inc
1884 Eastmar Avenue, Suite 11
Mobility Plus Ventura, CA 93003
(formerly L Mulholland Corp /
215 N 12th Street Handicapped Educ Learning Products (HELP) Inc
P060(391 PO box 9763
Santa Paula, CA 93060 Sacramento, CA 95823
805/525-7165 916/421-1202

Modular Seater g Components Inrovention Products, Ltd


19326 Woodwird Avenue 51 Coldharbour Lane
Detroit, MI 48203 Bushey, Herts WD2 3NU
213/368-3516 ENGLAND
01-950-3695
Otto Bock US
Orthopaedic Industry J A Preston Corp
4130 iighwev 71 Fifth Avenue
Minneapolis, M. 55422 New York, NY 10303
800/328-4058 800/221-2425

Pin Dot Products Kay Products, Inc


P 0 Box 642 Adaptive Equipment for Children
Northbrook, '1 60062 1010 East Pettigrew Street
Durham, NC 27707
Rehab Equipment Systems 919/688-1601
P 0 Box 21566
Seattle, WA 98111 McLaren, Inc
206/285-1114 P 0 Box 2004
distributor for Department D
Adaptive Engineering Lab New York NY 10017
4403 Russell Road 212/889-r547
Building 2A, Unit A 800/233-1224
Lynwood, WA 98037
206/774-7993 Nottingham Medical Equipment Company
Melton Road
Raton Equipment for the Handicapped W Bridgford
Rifton, NY n471 Nottingham NG2 6HD
914/658-3141 ENGLAND
0602-234251
Special Devices 1),?;iertment
Rehab Centre for Orho-Kinet,cs
633 Wellington Crescent BoA 436
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 0A8 W220 N507 Springdale
CANADA Waukesha, WI 5318?
204/452-4311
Pin Dot Products
Variety Village P 0 Box 642
3701 Danforth A nue Northbrook. IL 60062
Scarborough, Ontario MIN 2G2
CANADA Rogers & Associates
703 N Valley St, #8
Anaheim, CA 92301
CONSTRUCT-A-FOAM SEATING 714/991 -3880

Ahmed Inc Symplex Orthotic System


68 Harrison Street P 0 Sox 2031
Boston, MA 02111 Winter Park, FL 32790
800/225-2610 305/645 -0414

Modular Meuical Corp


1558 Hu .Plinso liver parkway East CAR ;EATS
Bronx, NY 104,
212/829-2626 Century Products, Inc
Stow. OH 44224

167 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1944 167


MOSIUTY DEVICES

Columbia Medical Manufacturing (Britax) MacLaren, Inc


(formerly Ch,ldsafe) PO Box 2004
Box 633 ..apartment D
Pacific Palisades, CA 90'7.72 New York NY 10017
.3/454 -6612 212/889-'r 17

CORAM-Paris Newton, USA


209. rue ae Saint-Maui 469 Ridge Road W
75010 Pans, FRANCE Rochester, NY 14615
295-48-46
Ortho-Kinetics
LIC-REHAB PO Box 436
Svetsarvagen 4 W220 N507 Springdale
S-17183 Solna Waukesha, WI 53187
SWEDEN
Stockholm 98-10-60 Rifton Equipment for tne Handicapped
Telex 105-28-LICS Rifton, NY 12471
914/558 -3141
Questor Corporation (Bobby-Mac)
1801 Commerce Drive Theradyne Corporation Genac/Pogon
Piqua, OH 45356 21730 Hanover Street
513/773-3971 Lakeville, MN 55044
612/469-4404
RECARO Automobile Seating System
1152 E Dominguez Street
Carson, CA 90746 TRAVEL CHAiR3

CORAM-Paris
STROLLERS 209, rue de Saint-Maur
75010 Paris, FRANCE
Adaptive Therapeutic Sistems, Inc 205-48-46
965 Dixwell Avenue
Hamden, CT 06514 Freedom Designs, Inc
1884 Eastmar Avenue, Suite 11
The Bobby-Mac Co, Inc Ventura, CA 93003
P 0 Box 209
Scarsdale, NY 10583 Handicapped Educ Learning Products (HELP), Inc
914/723-3442 PO Box 9763
Sacramento, CA 95823
Childsafe (Britax) 916/421-1202
Bo. 833
Pacific Palls-171, CA 90272 Medical Equipment Distributors (MED)
1701 S First Avenue
Convaid Products, Inc Maywood, IL 60153
P 0 Box 2731 312'6R1-2828
Palos Verdes, CA 90274
213/377-0016 GE Miller, Inc
I:84 South Broadway
Credesign AB Yonkers, N" 10705
Bergsunds Strand 31 800/431-29.:4
S-11738
Stockholm, Sweden Modular Medical Co
1558 Hutchinson River
Equipment Shop Pakway, E
P 0 Box 33 Bronx, NV 10461
Bedford. MA 01730
617/275-7681 Ortho-Kinetics
PO Box 436
Handicapped Educ Learning Produc,s (HELP), Inc W220 N507 Springdale
PO Box 9763 Waukesha, WI 53187
Sacramento, CA 95823
916/421-1202 Palm :o Engineerir
12005 Rivera Road
LIC-REHAB Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Svetsarvagen 4 213/696-5235
S-17183 Solna
SWEDEN J A Preston Corp
Stockholm 98-10-60 71 Fifth Avenue
Telex 105-28-LICS New York, NY 10003
800/221-2425

o
168 ECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEDOOK RESNA 1984
MOBILITY DEVICES

Safety Travel Chairs, Inc


147 Eady Court
Elyria, OH 44035
216/365-7593

Steuriless Ma " cal Products


9389 Dowdy D..ive
San Diego, CA 92126
714/578-6920

SEATING SYSTEMS FOR TRAVEL CHAIRS

. native Engineering Lab


J3 Russell Road
,..

Building 2A, Unit A


Lynwood, WA 98037
206/774-7993

ERAC Creative Rehab Equipment


513 NE, Schuyler Street
Portland, on 97212
503/288-8179
800/547-4611

Freedom Designs
1884 Eastmar Avenue, Suite 111
Ventura, CA 93003

189 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOV. RESNA 1984 169


MOBILITY DEVICES

J'PE-BY-SIDE TRIALS AN EVALUATION METHODOLOGY FOR COMPARATIVE TESTING

OF MODULAR WHEELCHAIR INSERT SYSTEMS

At the 6th Annual Conferei _a on Rehabilitation "Negative Features Elbows can get caught between
Engineering, held i San Diego, California, in body and side structure of seat during activities
1983, this paper wzs presented by Susan P The harness system cuts into the user's shoulders
Schaezlem, OTR, an Richard N Ho lie, MSc, of Wheelchair wheels cannot be reached because of the
the Children's Hospital at Stanford Rehabilitation side structure Shell structure limits the user's
Engineering Center, Palo Alto, California visual field

These are some excerpts from the paper, which was Mulholland Adaptive Positioning System
written in January, 1983 The findings presented for Standard Wneelchairs
at the conference were essentially the same as the
preliminary findings noted in the report "This is an appropriate insert system for the
subject population It provided better postural
"Over the past five years a nu-iber of wheelchair control for the more s tverely involved subjects
based modular seating systems have been developed
and marketed to provide postural control for Ind:- "Positive Features Provides good postural con-
induals with cerebral palsy Thez,ries have been trol and has a wide ange of adjustability to meet
advanced to explain how seating systems should be user needs Functional activities were improved
configured for ,,n individual The characteristics with the exception of transfers
and components of these seating systems have been
designed to provide a,, orientatior in space, pro- "Negative Features Appearance is very contrap-
vide support or exert forces on the body to im- tion-like Technical knowledge a- d a variety of
prove anatomical alignment and stabil:7- non, and tools are needed to assemble and adjust the sys-
influence muscle tone to improve seatitg poste tem Shoulder pads lateral trunk supports and
A method of comparing the relative merits between pelvic stabilizers are not user operahle, pre-
these systems has not yet been formanzed venting independence in trarsfers Attaching the
assembled seat base and seat back onto the wheel-
"Side-by-Side Trial methodology was developed at chair frame is relatively difficult
the Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Children's
Hospital at Stanford, as a process to evaluate Winnipeg Modular System
functional and technicai featu es of four com-
mercially avai'able mooular wheelchair seating "The system is appropriate for this subject popu-
systems and to determine 1) the pecific features lation It can be easily managed by parents and
and components of a modular seating system which was fa. ored for its appearance
improve or decrease user furction 2) technical
modifications which could be made on existing "Positive Features Overall appearance is good
seating systems to better meet functional needs of Itis easily removed and inserted to wheelchair
users, and 3) necessity for the development of a base, functional activities were improved It
new modular seating system Using a side-by-side Provided good control for moderate,/ involved
evaluation methodology, child subjects with the ibjects
diagnosis of cerebral palsy are fitted in each of
the four seating systems and perform specific "Negative Features Tools, mi. finery and technical
functional activities Each seating system is knowledge ere needed to assemble the system it
rated on ability to provide postural control, is not available ch. the commercial market in the
effects on certain functional activities manage- United States
ability by a parent, ai,d technical charac-
teristics MPI

"At this put'ication, 4 out of 1G subjects have "This is appropriate seating for this subject
participated in the Sida-by -Side trials of modular group It provided postural control for the less
wheelchair insert systems Preliminary 'mores intolved subjects, 'ulit nct quite enough for mole
sions of the four systems under evaluation are severely involved subjects

Britax Seat ,'ositive Features Seat depth, hack neight, and


seat angle adjustments Jre versatile It has the
'The Britax is not felt to be appropriate as a appearance of a child s chair
definitive wheelchair insert system for the sub-
ject ponulat,on in this st dy Its size and shape "Negative Features Material is perceived as
were limiting factors in user function It ts breakable and uncomfortable Footrest and head-
best used as a car seat, as recommended by the rest hardware needed to be modified before they
manufacturer would fit into their brackets Independent or
standing transfers were limited by the footrest
"Posiove Features The user feels ser,re in the component Handles for the angle adju.r;unent
seat Mid-line bm.snual hand use if. facilitated clamps broke off
by blocking excessive ho, zontal a',duction at the
shoulders The harness system .ecures the pelvis
It can be adjusted without foe'.
1.C. 1 :
...)

170 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDVENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 170


MOBILITY DEVICES

CONCLUSIONS

"The modular seating system which effectively


positioned a child had a positive effect on per-
formance of most fenctional activities COri
ponents of the systems, however, can res,ict user
functions Fixed footrests and abduction units
which were not user operable decreased performance
in transfers The ria4itionship between the modu-
lar seating system and its wheelchair base influ-
enced effectiveness of the system The rela-
tionship of the footrests to the seating system
influenced mobility Appearance was important to
therapists and parents and was generally the first
feature considered when assessing a system Al-
though manageability of a system by a parent was
considered important, the parents tended to pace
the child's needs first They indicated a will-
ingness to put up with a cumbersome system if it
helped improve posture ano function of their
child

The Side-by-Side Trials have been a useful method


of gathering 'comparative information about modular
seating systems The methodology dIveloped for
this project could be useful in the comparative
evaluation of other seating systems and other
assistive devices

For the entire paper, see Proceedings, 6th Annual


Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering, San
Diego, 1983

or rnntact the authors at

Children's Hospital at Stanford, Rehabilitation


Engineering Center, 520 Willow Road, Palo Alto, CA
94304, 415/327-4800, x 345

More information on guidelines for evaluating tne


usefulness of mobility devices can be found in the
section on Wheelchair Mobility Device Evaluation
Guide

171 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984


MOBILITY DEVICES

SOME PUBLICATIONS ON POSTURAL SEATINC AND POSITIONING

Pimrtinnal Girds for the* Multsrly Handtrarned ance


Isabel P Robinault Hai per and Row Publishers,
Hagerstown MD 1973 See pages 139 -177 "This manual is written for occupational and phy-
sical therapists who serve severely handicapped
Handling the Young Cerebral Palsied Child at Home children, though it nay also be of assistance for
Nancie R Fmme E P Dutton Second edition parents, teachers, and nurses it intends to
1975 Information on home management of children guide the therapist in optimizing posture so that
with cerebral palsy for parents, teachers, and it can best serve movement Facilitating this
therapists Contains suggestions on do-it -your- interplay between posture and movement will allow
self devices as well as commercially available the child to be more functional and to find more
equipment, particularly mobility aids Also satisfaction through participation"
includes lists of resources for equipment and
accessories Seating for Children with Cerebral Palsy A
Resource Manual Elaine Trefle, OTR,M Ed,
Positioning the Client with Central Nervous System editor The University of Tennessee Rehabilita-
Deficits Wheelchair and Oher Adaptive Equipment tion Engineering Program, 682 Court Avenue,
A F Bergen and C Colangelo Valhal'a RehabiIi- Memphis, TN 748163 1984 $20 00 The
tation Products Publications, Ltd, P 0 Box 195, manual is intended to provide guidelines and deci-
Valhalla, NY 10595 1982 191 pages "This sion making information in each of the critical
manual is a guide for prescribing positioning aspects of the seating provision process It s
devices which will allow maximum functn with meant to supplement the UT-REC annual educational
minimal pathology for the person who has abnormal workshops, outreach presentations, as well as
muscle tone due to CNS dysfunction It presents provide reference material and guidelines for
Guidelines and principles for evaluation, problem clinicians seeking dec n max.ng criteria he
solving, and constructing or ordering equipment emphasis of the manual is on the needs of the
cerebral palsied child, however, many of the prin-
"The text initially concentrates on the sitting ciples, service delivery processes, and funding
posture adjusting the client's position to considerations apply equally to other populations
prevent deformity and to improve his or her capa- of non -ar 'Iulatory individuals requi 1g seating
city to work, learn, and recreate The section on and mobility
sitting also explains how to best acnieve that
goal when ordering commercially available v,heel- "The manual begins with an overview of both nnimal
chairs Wheelchair features are explained in a and abnormal child development, followed by their
specific sequence to assist the reader in problem- ire plications relative to therapeutic decision
solving in an orderly, logical fashion A sample making This is followed by medical considera-
prescription blank is provided for use when oder- tions first, from the total perspective of the
ing traditional wheelchairs reeds of the child and the family, and secondly,
with specific concerns related to orthopedic
"Since human achievement is often related to eye- management An overview of basic biomechanical
hand function, problem-solvinn for head and upper principles and their implications related to pro-
extremity positioning is dealt with at length A viding body positioning and support IN th -n given
separate section on lapboards Includes a discus- With is as background and rationale, the remain-
sion on when they should be provided how to ing sections focus on specific guidelines related
measure, ar d what materials might be used, in to therapy decision making, technic& options,
relation to specific client problems material selection, and characteristics of a
working delivery systern process, concluded by an
"The last section of the text includes alternate overview of the exigencies associated with se-
positioning devices (such as for prone, sideline curing the necessary funding The appendices
standing and mobility, Many ,terns are from provide resource material related to existing
Selected Equipment for Pediatric Rehabilitation, clinical facilities, commercial sources, and pub-
and are described in a problem/solution format lished literature"
using photographs and construction suggestions
New pieces have been added and old one' updated

"The text includ,as 400 illustrations and


photographs, a list of addresses for further
information, and a bibliography"

Positioning the Handicapped Child for Function A


Guide to Evaluate and Prescribe Eqt, oment for the
Child with Central Nervous System Dysfunction
Diane E Ward, M Ed, OTR 316 Carmel Drive, St
Louis, MO 63119 March, 1983 115 pages
$2000 "This manual discusses the current and
poop ar practices used in positioning the severely
handicapped child In addition, it presents a
systematic approach to evaluating posture from a 1 J
posture-mobility context It analyzes the vari-
ables of posture that observably affect perform-

172 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 172


MOBILITY DEVICES

POSTURAL SEATING BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Guidelines for Select.on and Use" Adaptive Equip-
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Palsy Physiotherap_y pp 1-11 1974
Aitken, K M "Assessment of Handicapped Child for
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Electromyographic and Oiscome c Study" Ortho-
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January, 1975 Wheelchair Performance Proceedings of Interna
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Wheelchair Patients Phi/sir:al Therapy Review, Society, c/o National Research Council of Canada
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Batchelor, KW, and Farmelo, GP "A Basic- De- Butler, C, and Okamoto, GA 'Motorized Wheel-
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Reference to the Back Shape" Dept of Experimen Children' Paper presented at the American
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Beesley, Margrit "The Role of the Occupational Butler, C, Okamoto GA, and McKay, TM
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Bergen, A F Supplement I for Selected equipment Carlo D 'A Char for the Child With Hypertonic
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Bergen, AF "A Special Stroller Insert Phy- Carlson J, and Winter R 'The Gillette Sitting
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Bergen, Adrienne "Table and Chair Seat for Spas
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Carrington, E G 'A Seating Position for a
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Bobath, K "The Neuropathology or Cerebral Palsy
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173
19,
TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK PESNA 1984 173
MOBILITY DEVICES

for Seating Disabled Children" Proceedings 4th chairs" Physical Therapy Review, \ol 39, No 8,
Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Eng:neering, pp 515-529 August, 1959
Washington, DC, pp 27-29 1981
Fulford, and Brown, j K "Position as Cause of
Cousins, S, Acker ly, K E, Jores, K, and Deformity in Children with Cerebral Palsy
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neering Center, Koehampton, London 1983 18, pp 305-314 1976

Cristaralla, M C "Comparison of Straddling and Garee, B An Accent Guide Wheelchairs and Acces
Sitting Apparatus for the Eoastic Cerebral P. Issed sories Cheever Publishing, Inc 1981
Child American Journal of Occupational Therapy,
Vol 29, No 5, pp 273-276 May/June, 1975 Germans, et al "Vacuum Dilatency Casting for the
Construction of Individually Molded Seats
Curtis, G H et al "Myelomeninqoi-ele, Para- Progress Report No R R 4 (Des B van
plegia, Quadriplegia Other Spinal Cord In- Eiisnberger and F H Lopes da Silva), Med Fys
juries" The Child With an Orthopedic Disability Inst Tno, Utrecht, pp 23-29 1974
His Orthotic Needs and How to Meet Them National
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Support for Children with Cerebral Palsy" The
Daher R L et al "Progress Report A Complete Journal of the APTA, Vol 54, #3 March, 1974
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abled Sr:attle, Washington 1977 therapy Vol 55, No 9, op 367-377 1969
Dicuio, R, and Kugel, R Into the Lght Helping Green, i et al Furniture for Handicapped
People with Handicaps at Flower Hospital New Children A Repoli of a Preliminary Study School
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1981 trial Arts, University of Nrr.w South Wales, Sydney,
Australia 1979
Donaghue, E G, et at 'Some Factors Affecting
Age of Walking in a Mentally Retarded Population Hardy, S "The Development of Balance in Sitting
De .elopmental Medicine and Child Neurology, Vol and the Influence of Abnormal Patterns of Movement
12, pp 781-792 1970 as Found in Cerebral Palsy Seating for Disabled
Children and Adults, Needs and Proposals for Ac-
Dorinson, S M, Markus M and McLaughlin, P 'A tion in Quebec, K Waksylk, et al , ed 1980
Support for Teaching Head Control in Cerebral c/o P Levy, School of Industrial Des. -in, Uni-
Palsy The Physical Therapy Review, Vol 34, No versity of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec
4, pp 168-170 1970
Harrington, P R "The Spire in the Handicapped
Drummon D S, Narechama, M S, and Breed, A L Child" American Journa: of 0-thopedics, June an
A Study of Pressure Distributions Measured During July, 1964 6, pp 156-164
Balanced and Unbalanced Sitting" Journal of EJne
end Joint Surgery, 64 pp 1034 1982 Hayes, D "The Human Body in thi. Design of Equip-
ment, Products, and Buildings A Model Course
Dunkel, Ruth and B S, and Trefler, Elaine, Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Conference on
BOT Seeiiig fcr Cerebral Palsied Children Rehabilitation Engineering (pp 16) Houston, TX
The Sleek Seat Physical Therapy, Vol 57, No 1982
5, pp 524-526 May, 1977
High, E C A Resource Guide to Habilitatiye Tech-
Evachewski, P 'Review of Technical Aids for niques and Aids for Cerebral Palsied Persons of
Handicapped Children Provided by Shriner's Hospi- All Ages The Job Development Laboratory, Div of
tal, Winnipeg Proceedings Fourth Annual Con- Rehabilitation Medicine, The George Washington
ference on Systems and Devices for the Disabled, University, Washington, D C
Seattle, WA 1977
Hildreth, K, Horsman, AA, and Sturtevant, L
Farber, Shereen Sensorimotor Evaluation and Wheelchair Training Protocol Rhode Island Easter
Treatment Procedures for Allied Health Personnel, Seal Society, Inc, Meeting Street School, RI
Second edition Indiana University Purdue Uni- 1982
versity at Indianapolis Medical Center 1974
Hobson D A "Foam-In-Place Seating for the
Finnie, N R Handling the Youn_g Cerebral Palsied Severely Disabled" Proceedings of the Fifth
Child at Home E P Dutton New York, NY 1970 Annual Conference on Systems and Deuces for the
Disable'), Houston, Texas 1978
Forbes, M 1 et al "A Compars,an of Three Custom
Seating Techniques" Proceedings of International Hobson, D A"Special Devices as Aids in the
Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering, Canadian Management of Child Self-Mutilation in the Lesch-
Medical and Biological Engineerins Society, c/o Nyhan Syndrome" Pediatrics, Vol 55, No 6
National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, 1975
Canada 1980
Hobson, D,1 Spherical Thoracic Supports ISTS) A
Fowles B "Evaluation and Selection of Wheel- Brief Concept Description and Status Report

174 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING RESNA 19114 174


MOBILITY DEVICES

Rehabilitation Engineering Program, University of Related to Posture and Seating" The Journal of
Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, Memphis, Bone and Joint Surgery Vo' 35A No 3 July
TN 1979 1953

Hobson, D et al "The Use of Thermal Plastics in Lee M, Peznich 0 and Dasso M Wheelchoir
the Design and Fabrication of ADL Devices for Prescription' Divis.on of Direct Health Ser
Chi Idr-I" Proceedings Fourth Annual Conference vices, US Department of Health Education and
o-- Systems and Devices for the Disabled Seattle, Welfare Public Health Services Publication
WA 1977 #1666 Supt of Documents, Washington DC
20402
Hobson, D A, Heinrich, M J , and Hanks S "Bead
Seat Insert Seating System" Proceedings of the Levy, R, and Waksvik K Handout accompanying
Sixth Annual Conference on Rehabilitation En_g_i- the presentation Workshop on Seating for the
neering (op 209-211) San Diego, CA 1983 Cerebral Palsied University of Tennessee Rehabi-
litation Engineering Center 683 Court, Memphi-,
Hobson, D A, Seaton, B J, and Shapcott, N G TN 38163 January and October 1'3'80
"Vinyl Vacuum Forming" Proceedings of the Sixth
Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering 'Low-Cost Method of i"roducing Anatomically Shaped
(pp 145-147) San Diego, CA 1983 seating for Patients in Wheelchairs 1980 Annual
Report Orthopedic Research and Locomotion As
Hobson, D and Tooms, A "Foam-In-Place Seating sessment Unit ORLAU), Oswestry Shrepshire
System Results of Toxicity Studies" Proceedings, England
Fourth Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engi-
neering RESNA, Bethesda, MD 1981 May, D et al "Indi 'dually Customized Postural
Support System Proceedings of International
Hofmann, Ruth B How to Build Special Furniture Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering Canadian
and Equipment for Handicapped Children Charles Medical and Biological Engineering Society c/o
C Thomas, Spring d, IL 1970 National Research Council of Canada Ottawa
Canada 1980
Hollings, E M ar icCay, G "Adaptations to
Wheelchairs" Physiotherapy, Vol 52, No 5, pp Mazzo, MJ, Baez, M B Therapeutic Positioning
151-154 1966 Equipment for the Multiply Handicapped Patricia
Burnett, OTR 18 S Landing Road Rochester NY
Holt, KS, Darcos, H and Lorna, B H 14610 144 pages This book contains the
"Children's Wheelchair Clinic" British Medical designs and rationale for the pieces of there
Journal, #4, December 16, pp 651-555 1972 peutic positioning equipment which the authors
have found to be most beneficial to their resident
Holt, KS "Deformity and Disability in Cerebral population It includes the individual s total
Palsy" Developmental Medicine and Child Neuro- needs and abilities in therapeutic programming
logy, # 5, p, 629-631, December, 1963 recognizing and considering every aspect of normal
growth and development
Hoke, R N "A Modular System for Seating the
Multiply Handicapped Child" Final Report McGray, P M "A Simple Headrest for Patients
Health and Welter-, Canada National Health Confined to a Wheelchair Journal of Prosthetic
Research and Development Program, Ottawa, Canada Development, 44(3), pp 347 9 September 1980
1980
McKenzie, Mary, W and Rogers John E Use of
Nolte, R N et al Seating Supplement From Tech- Trunk Supports for Severely Paralyzed People
nical Aids for Handicapped Children Rehabilita- The American Journal of Occupational Therapy
tion Centre for Children, Winnipeg Canada 1977 Vol 27, pp 147-148 April, 1973
and 1979
McQuilton, G and Johnson, G R 'Cost Fttrctive
Nolte, R The Simple Wheeichair Insert A Wheel- Moulded Seating for the Handicapped Child Pros-
chair Based Seating System for Mildly Involved thetics and Orthotics International, 5, pp 37-41
Cerebral Palsied Children" Proceedings of the 1981
Sixth Annual Conference or Rehabilitation Engi-
neering (pp 200-k07) San Diego, CA 1983 Montgomery P, and Gauger, J Dynamic Trunk
Stabilizer for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Hulme, J B, Poor, R Schulein, M, and Pezzino, Physical Therapy, Vol 58 No 4 1978
J "Perceived Behavior Changes Observed with
Adaptive Seating Devices and Training Program for Moore, Sandy et al The DESEMO Customized
Multihandicapped, Developmentally Disabled Indivi- Seating Support Custom Molded Support for
duals" Physical Therapy, Vol 63, No 2 1983 Severely Disabled persons" Journal of the Ameri-
can Physical Therapy Association pages 460 463
"The Joy of Sitting Adaptive Seat Helps Handi- April 1982
capped" Southern Research Institute Report
Spring 1981 Motloch, W M 'Seating and Pc,uttoning for the
Physically Impaired" T.:. urotics and Prosthetics,
Kamenentz, HL, MD The Wheelchair Book Vol 31, No 2, pp 1i -21 June 1977
Charles Thomas, Springfield, IL 1969
Nelham, R L Seating for Physically Handicapped
Keegan, J J "Alterations of the Lumbar Curve Children in North America Churchill Travelling

175 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIV G SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 175


MOBILITY DEVICES

Fellowship Rehabilitation Engineering Unit, Handicapped Harper and Row, Hagerstown, MD


Charley Heritage Hospital, Lewes, Sussex, England 1973
1978
Samilson, R L "Scoliosis in Cerebral Palsy"
O'Leary, J P, Bretz, J C. Gallo, S and Instruction Course Syllabus American Academy of
Thibault, M "A Rigid Urethane Foam Contour Cerebral Palsy p 59 1971
Seat Proceedings of the International Con-
ference on Rehabilitation Engineering, Washington, Schaezlem, S, and Holte. R "Side by Side
DC, pp 36-39 Trials An Evaluation Methodology for Comparative
Testing of Modular Wheelchair Insert System"
O'Reagan, J and Law, D 'Reusable Casting Tech- Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Conference on
nique for Customized Total Contact Seating Rehabilitation Engineering (pp 212-214) San
Proceedings of International Conference JP Rehabi- Diego, CA 1983
litation Engineering, Canadian Medical and Biolo-
gical Engineering Society, c/o National Research Schneider, L W, Melvin, J W, and Cooney, C E
Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada 1980 "Impact Sled Test Evaluation of Restraint Systems
Used in Transportation of Handicapped Children
O'Rourke, DA Technical Aspects of Cerebral SAE Technical Paper #7900 74 February-March,
Palsy Seating and a Glossary of Seating Terms 1979
Ontario Crippled Children's Centre, Rehabilitation
Engineering Department, Toronto, Canada Schultz-Hurlburt, B and Tervo, R "Wheelchair
September, 1979 Users at a Children's Rehabilitation Center At-
tributes and Management" Devel Med Child
Orton. S "Simplified Wheelchair Measurement Neirology, 24, pp 54-60 1982
Form Physical Therapy, Vol 54, No 2, pp
149-152 February, 1974 Seeger, B P, and Sutherland, DJ, "Modular
Seating for Paralytic Scol'osis Design and Ini-
Paul, I T et al "An Assessment System and tial Experier,:e" Prosthetics and Orthotics
Related Modular Components for Seating Handicapped International, 5, pp P1-128 1981
Children" Proceedings, Fifth Annual Conference
on Systems and Devices for the Disabled, Houston, Seikman, A, and Flanagan, K "The Anti-thrust
TX 1978 Seat A Wheelchair Insert for Individuals with
Abnormal Reflex Patterns or Other Specialized
Paul, I T et al Factors Influencing the Design Problems" Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Con-
of a Modular Insert System for Disabled Children" ference on Rehabilitation Engineering (pp 203-
Proceedings of International Conference on Rehabi- 208; San Diego, CA 1983
litation Engineering, Toronto, 1980 Canadian
Medical and Biological Engineering Society, c/o Siegel, I, et al "The Chicago Insert An Ap-
National Research r,uncil of Canada, Ottawa, proach to Wheelchair Seating for the Maintenance
Canada 1980 of Spinal Posture in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy"
Orthotics and Prosthetics, Vol 33, No 4
Paulson. K "Psychosocial Aspects of Technical December, 1981
Aids" Proceedings of International Conference on
Rehabiliration Engineering Ottawa, Ont-:,,o, Silverman, M, and Silverman, 0 "The Contour-U
Canada 1984 Customold Seating System" Proceedings of the
Sixth Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engi-
Pearson, P and Williams, C. eds Physical neering (co 194-196) San Diego, CA 1982
Therapy Services in the Developmental Disabi-
lities Charles C Thomas, Springfield, IL Slominski, A and Hament, C "Occupational
1972 Therapy for Cerebral Palsy Occupational
Therapy Willar, H and Spackman. C, eds 4th
Pritham and Leiper 'A Method for Custom Seating edition J B Lippincott, Philadelphia PA
of the Severely Disabled" Orthotics and Pros- 1971
thetics, December 1981
Sperryn, P N "TWO Years in a Wheelchair
Rang, M et al "Seating for Children with Clinic" Rheurnatology and Rehabilitation. Vol
Cerebral Palsy" Journal of Pediatric Ortho- 13, No 4, pp 184-189 November, 1974
pedics, Vol 1, pp 279-287 1981
Spiegler, J, and Goldberg, M "The V/heelchair as
Rice, AL "Orthotics The Specialized Wheel- a Permanent Mode of Mobility A Detailed Guide to
chair Anne Rice, RPT, Flowers Hospital, 1249 Prescription Part 1" American Journal of
Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10029 Physical Medicine, Vol 47, No 6 1968
Ring, N, Nelham, R, and Pearson. F "Moulded Taylor, P M and Bardsley G I ConstruLtion of
Supportive Seating for the Disabled" Prosthetics the Assessment Chair at Dundee Limb Fitting Centre
and Orthotics International, 2, pp 30-34 1978 (Design Report) Dunder' Limb Fitting Centre,
Dundee, Scotland 1982
Robertson, G "Design and Measurement of Training
Chairs for the Cerebral Palsied Child" The Tooms, R E and Hobson, DA Pre'iminary Report
Physical Therapy Review, Vol 39, No 8 Foam-m-Place Seat og for the Severely Dis-
abled Rehabilitation Eneineero,g Program, Oro-
Robmault, I P Functional Aids for the Multiply otryt.t of Tenr lase. Center for the Health
11Y
176 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDEN1 LIVING SOURCEBOOK DESNA 111114 176
MOBILITY DEVICES

Sciences, Memphis, TN 1981 Physical Therapy, Vol 58, No 7, pp 880-881


1978
Tref ler, E"Arm Restraints During Functional
Activities American Journal of L.)ccupatonal Wesbeach A et al "Children in Wheelchairs"
Therapy, Vol 36, No 9 1982 British Medical Journal 19 281 (6234), pp 199
?01 1980
et al "Seating for Cerebral Palsied
Tref ler, E
Children" Inter-Clinic lnfr rmation Bulletin, Wesely, L D, Coss, R L, and Kniffen, E 'Wheel-
Vol 17, No 1, pp 1-8 197u chair Insert for Sevr rely Handicapped Children"
Physical Therapy, Vol 58, No 7, pp 879-880
Tref ler, E, et al Seating for Children with 1978
Cerebral Palsy A Manual Rehabilitation Engi-
neering Program, University of Tennessee, Memphis Wilshere E R Equipment for the Disabled Series
TN 1984 Oxford Regional Health Authority 2 Foredown
Drive, Postslade, Brighton BN4 2BB ENGLAND
Tref ler, E, and Cook, H "Powered Mobility for 1980
Children" Proceedings of the International Con-
ference on Rehabilitation Engineering (pp 113-
116) Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1980

Tref ler, E, OTR, Hawks, S, Hugginf,, P,


Chiarrizzo, S and Hobson, D "A Modular Seating
System for Cerebral Palsied Children Develop-
mental Medicine and Child Neurology, Vol 29, No
2, pp 199-204 April, 1978

Tref ler, E, Nickey, J, and Hobson, D 'Tech


nology in the Education of Multioly Handicapped
Children" American Journal of Occupational
Therapy, Vol 37, No 6, pp 381-387 1983

Tumble Forms Manual JA Preston Corp, 71 Fifth


Avenue, New York, NY 1980

Verburg, G, Snell E Pilkington, M, and


Milner, M "Eftects of Powered Mobility on Young
Handicapped Cr,ildren and Their Families" Pro-
ceedings of the Second International Conference on
Rehabilitation Engineering Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada 1984

Von Kampen, E, and Holte, R "The Cozy Seat"


Proceedings of the International Conference on
Rehebilitaticrt Engineering (pr 156-159)
Toronto, Criteria, Canada 180

Von Wersscwetz, 0, and Parker, "Flexion In-


I

sert tor Wheelchairs" American Journal of Occu-


pational Ther3oy, 15, pp 210-211 1961

'Naksvik, K ano Levy, R "An Approach to Seating


13r the Cerebral Palsied' Canadian Journal of
Occupational Therapy, Vol 46, No 4, pp 147-153

Waksv,k, K, Levy, R, Churcher, E, and Breault,


D, eds Seating for Disabled Children and
Adu;ts Needs and Proposals for Action in Quebec
Universite de Montreal, 3544 de Bullion, Montreal
Quebec H2X 229 CANADA March, 1980

Ward, D E Positioning the Handicapped Child for


Function A Guide to Evaluate and Prescribe Equip-
ment for the Child with Central Nervous System
Dysfunction 0 Ward, St L>uis, Missouri 1983

Warren, CG, et at "Rethicing Back Displacement


in the Powered Reclining Wheelchair'" Archives of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol 63
September, 1982

Was, L "Mobility Module Counteracting the Tonic


Labyrinthine Reflex in a Cerebral Palsied Child"
195
177 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 177
MOBILITY DEVICES

AUDIOVISUALS

Choose Them Chairfully Adaptive Chairs for


Handicapped Chddren Media Resource Center,
Meyer Children's Rehabilitation Institute, Univer-
sity of Nebraska Medical Center, 444 South 44th
Street, Omaha, NE 68131 slide/tape, color, 13
minutes 1979 Presents a variety of specially
adapted chars, ranging from those that can be
purchased to those that are easily adapted from
other household chairs or ordinary building
materials Although the chairs discussed are b..t
suited for children wort cerebral pal y, many can
accommodate children with any neuromuscular or
other handicapping condition

Eyaivating the Environment A Key to Function


Bergen and Colangelo Everest & Jennings, 3233 E
Miss:on Oaks Blvd, Camarillo, CA 93010, 805,'987-
8911 Call your Everest & Jennings representative
for a fret. screening at your facility Facility
screenings include information booklets

Handling and Positioning of the Child with Central


Nervous Systen, Dysfunction Bergan, Co Ian_ o
and Gottlieb Blythedale Children's Hospital,
Valhalla, NY Slide/tape 1977

Positioning Maximizing Form to Maximize Function


Tref ler, Hallenborg, and Gans Everest &
Jennings, 3233 E Mission Oaks Blvd, Camarillo,
CA 93010, 805/987-8911 Call your Everest &
Jennings representative for a free screening a;
your facility Facility screenings include
information booklets

Positioning and Adaptive Equipment with CNS


Deficit Eeucational Media, Blythedale Children's
Hospital, V ilhalla, NY 10595 Slide/cassette
1976

Power Wheelchairs When, How, Why Bennethum,


Butler, and Harris Everest & Jennings. 3233 E
Mission Oaks Blvd, Camarillo, CA 9301L, 805/987-
8911 Call your Everest & Jennings representative
for a free screening at your facility Facility
screenings include information booklets

Special Magic Equipment for Handicapped


Children University of Tennessee Rehabilitation
Engineering Program, 682 Court, Memphis, TN
38163 Rental $2500

Wheels University of Kansas, Bureau of Child


Rosearch Available from University of Kansas,
F Im Rental Service 746 Massachusetts Street,
Lawrence KS 66044 16 mrn, color, 13 minutes
1974 Demonstrates how the wheelchair modifica-
tion team, working with a physician reconstructs
and modifies standard wheelchairs to meet the
needs of multiply handicapped children The chair
serves as transportation and has prosthetic and
therapeutic purposes

1t''3

178 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOn1( RESNA 1984 17E


MOBILITY DEVICES

PERSONAL VEHICLES

INTRODUCTI3 HINTS ON OPERATING A SUCCESSFUL DRIVER EDUCATION


PROGRAM
"One of life's activities often affected by motor
or sensory impairment is the ability to operate a In general, the driver educational program for the
motor vehicle Due to the resulting lack of mobi- physically disabled student follows the same steps
lity, persons with disabilities are often deprived and procedures as the one for the able bodied
of meaningful vocational opportunities, participa- student However, equipment and methodology must
tion in commLnity and cultural events, and recrea- be tailored to the student's functional capabi-
tional activities Being able to drive offers the lities
homebound person independence and greater self-
sufficiency However, if these potential drivers
are to operate their vehicles safely, not only is Be patient, let the students do things for them
adequate equipment necessary but also prcper selves in a safe and confidence-building environ-
training ment They must become independent

"Much attention is now focused on mass transit for Try to know as much about the students and their
handicapped persons and on vaious para-transit functional capaboities as possible
and taxi transportation schemes However, these
alternatives only partially meet the transporta- Be consistent keep your commands simple and
tion needs of disabled people In addition, they consistent throughout the training period
need a convenient and economical means of getting
to work and performing the many functions asso- Keep in mind, to handicapped students driving is
ciated with daily living A practical solution is not a luxury, it is often a necessity
to have many of these disabled persons operate
motor vehicles independently Do not assume students can do something because
others with similar disabilities can Each stu-
"Some of the difficulty encountered by disabled dent is an individual
drivers can be overcome by providing information
on opportunities already available For example You, as the instructor, must be fully acquainted
with and able to operate all the assistive
Selecting the type of vehicle most devices It will make you a better teacher
appropriate for their functioning
capabilities, Always check all assistive devices before you
Purchasing the most appropriate options and begin a lesson
adaptive devices,
Arranging for installation of vnecial Learn how to handle a whee:chair
devices,
Locating training facilities, Be firm disable students must he able to con-
Evaluating driving tasks, trol the vehicle with the same efficiency and
Employing appropriate operating procedures, safety as able-bodied students
Assuring proper maintenance of equipment,
particu'arly adaptive equipment, and Try not to recommend more assistive devices than
Taking precautions against problems necessary
encountered outside the car
Encourage the students to be totally independent
Rehab Brief, June 25, 1980 they must do everything without your help

Ask the students for their recommendations and


comments after all, they are doing the driving

Try to be available when your students purchase


cars Make suggestions and recommendations based
on their capabilities and needs

Know all about the different disabilities you will


encounter and the functional limitations they
impose Apply the knowledge in relation to the
driving task

Good Luck you've entered a very important and


rewarding career Remember, "mobility is the
final step in total rehabilitation of the disabled
individual" You have opened a whole new world to
your students by providing them with mobility

179 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1954 179


ASSOCIATION OF DRIVER EDUCATORS
FOR THE DISABLED - ADED

ADED Membership Form


What Is ADED? INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP $25.00
(Membership Expirer DEC.31)
ADED is an associatioi, of professionals interested
in dnver education for disabled people. --
What are the advantages of ADED membership? Corporate Membership $50.00
professionals who want to stay current in a rapidly To Join, please complete the be'jw listed i
changing field, -- people who get involved Basically ADED offers an opportunity for ui full and marl, Leah your check (payable to
professional growth by ADED) to
Who benefits from ADED membership? 1 Facilitating an exchange of ideas between
members A.D.E.D. SECRETARIAT

ADED members represent a cross-section of a Shanng research and innovations in UNIVERSITY Of MICHION

professionals from vanous parts of our country adaptive equipment. REHAB EN6INEERINS CENTER

Some of the groups interested in and directly b Sharing methods of evaluation 208 LAY AUTOMOTIVE LAB

c Shanng teaching techniques ANN ARBOR, MICH 4810


affected by ADED members' activities include
2 Publishing "The ADED Newsletter"
Medical community 3 Re(ernng resource people to present Name
workshops or courses on disabled driver (Arnie pnni or tvpr)
Rehabilitation community
Educational cuminunity education and related subjects Affiliate Organization
local and national 4 Maintaining a library (or members' use
high school and college 5 Sharing a common interest and therefore an
guulance counselors, special educators, opportunity for unique professional Address
dnver educators, atimirustrators friendships
o Surveying the membership to provide
Engineet-s information on program development,
program improvement, and national trends Phone l
Eqwpvnent signers, rnarzufacturers, and vendors Ac
7 Holding a yearly conference
Government agencies
Position or Title
Vocational rehabilitation personnel The benefits of the association are many and the
motor vehicle licensing personnel cost is small so you are invited to join ADED by Brief Description of Your Duties
legislators filling out and sending in the attached memberstup
application along with your dues of only $ 2 5 . 0 0
Enforcement agencies
Insurance inchistry
Individuals, companies, and associations with an
interest in SAFETY
general population

1c:
14
MOBILITY DEVICES

Reprinted with permission of :


1---nLop
sx nn nqpirvc, SCHOOL.
Jt 1

P 0 BOX 191 I NGLEAA001) CO SON 1101i "SI SriOti

Name: Date(s)
(Last) FirstI Total hours of instrut non Date of driving release
Address Phone
Special information (directions or equipment)
License /permit No State Expiration date
Restrictions__ Both date Instructor
Referred b) Reno! , to KEN
evaluated and socessfully completed * her point of evaluation
0 problem area texplanationi NA Not applicable/not evaluated
DRIVING SKILLS EVALUATION ll Light 1rafitr _ Cv Advanced driving
I Residential area A straight diving _ A Heavy traffic driving
A Entering Si exiting the vehicle Lane chat ging _ Mountain driving
B Miscellaneous controls operation ( Corners _C Night driving
C Physical limitations I) Defensive driving D Adverse weather driving
Attitude E Ohsen anon A fits
_E Perceptual skills A Areas of Discussion
F Equipment operation III Hix riming A Emergency driving situations
G Straight driving A b ntenng _B Medical considerations
_II Stopping _B Lane i ontrol C velaptive equipment failure
I Corners _C Speed control I) Vehicle maintenance
J Backing _D Passing E Licensing requirements
Parking E Exiting htduatto. F Insurance requirements

TRAINING RECOMMENDATION:
Proceed to licensing
Inde i odent ?...mg without daptisi i quipment Pelona result tutus recornr endattOns
aplam
Independent dnving with requ'red adaptive equipment (see equipm recommend trid
lermtnate it m driving pmgrarn
Further esaluation necessary
Reason
Time suggestion
Reason

GENERAL COMMENTS:

EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATION

brising a sn Bee attached sheet i


of Other a ovsui ries
Brisina a is,.
Or I I eft foot gas pedal
i ring at, it 2 Left hand shift let,/ eltenston
A %chicle limitation.
' Iii Right hand torn signal lever
I None
4 Ptootton intion 4 Headlight dirnmet switi h
2 Power steering pewee brakes aloomatic. traniinio..iiin 2 door air oiridito tither
t Other location
Horn hotton
B Rano tunttols Ii saffity lealorti
I Right side mount
I Park brake extensmn c wan pi At .rat
2 Left side mount 2 1 pro r hods be', 6 toolan, Other
style with horn button and dimmer witch' t H radio
4 Qoadriplegir style (*oh hint hi thin dimmer hot, n and wrist resit 4 Right and left outside mirror.
t Other
Other

4 i)
181 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1954 181
MOBILITY 'DEVICES

Reprinted with permission of

Colorado Driving School

Limited Evaluation
Name: Date(s)
Address: Total Evaluation Time
Evaluator:
Referred By:

Evaluation Limitation stationary


parking lot
limited time
other
Reports to: Student: Paperwork. Pre-Driving information sheet
Referring agent: Prescription
Funding sourse: Contract
Other: Evaluation Completed
Billing
DRIVING EVALUATION PROCEDURE:

EVALUATION RECOMMENDATION:
Proceed to licensing firm n g restrictions recommendations
Independent dnvmg without adaptive equipment Explain
Independent driving with required adaptive equipment
(see equipment recommendations) Terminate from driving program
Further evaluation necessary Reason
Reason

Time suggestion

EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATION
Driving a van (see attached sheet)
Driving a car

A Vehicle limitations D Safety features


1 None 1 Park brake extension
2 Power steam, power brakes, autornanc transmission, 2 Upper body belt for balance
2-door, air conditioning 3 CB radio
3 Other. 4 Right and left outside mirrors
B Hind controls 5 Other
1 Right side mount E Other acceaaonea
2 Left side mount 1 Left foot gas pedal
3 Paraplegic style (with horn baton, and 2 Left hand shift lever extension
dimmer switch) 3 Righ hand turn signal lever
4 Quadriplegic style (with horn button, dimmer 4 Headlight dimmer synth
button, and west rest) location
C Steering device 5 Horn button
1 None location.
2 Steering knob 8 6-way power seat
3 Tn-pin 7 Other.
4 Position notation
5 Other

2 2

182 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 182


co
Reprinted with permission of:
Colorado Driving School
PRE-DRIVING EVALUATION

l
m
n
Name
Date of Birth
State Restrictions
Age License/Permit 4
Refered by

Evaluation Date
m Disability Caused by
2 Date of Onset
0 Present Dominance Pre-Onset Dominance
r- Past Driving Experience Driver Education Plan
4 Pre-Onset Driving Record
3
2 Need for Driving
IE
0 MOTOR STATUS II I ower extrema, functIon
M 1 1 pper extrenuty function b Reflex patterns
F Reflex patterns prescrit
2 present absent
M MOTOR STATUS absent 1 omments 1I tine of impairment 2 how affect t
2 1 Upper extremity function Comments II tpe of impairment 2 ho s affects function)
11 . ow er estretnits fun, non
1

..1 A Mustle picture function}


A Must le Inc tun
r _bilateral function bilateral function F ( "ordination
4 unilateral functmn
unilateral function
F foordlnation no fun,ttonal limitation:
no functional !mutations
2 left
n ght
-,ght
_ slowed response
slowed response
tremors
left
tremors
0 Comments (how affects functiont 1 carmen}, ihow affects function}
spastult, nght
.passe Its
O nght left
left
C Ei Strength t ornments mow , 'tette funetton)
H StrenCh
m WN1 r,M.,nt (how affects functintil
kkh,l
M right t, Resetcon time
M right
G Rea, non time
left left normal
O functional hmetations
ha, teeelcal limit at on,
'so rmal slowed
O shoulder hip
'slowed right Intl
74 elbow right left
knee ( OTTImems (how alts, t. (unit ml
wrest ( ornments th,"w affects functlorn
i nkte
hand right II it ndierance
left I Ratan, e
right left normal
X ( ommenta (how affects fun, nom
Comments I h". aft, its fen, hone
Vle NI-
M de, ceased
0 f Range of mot ton
feint boned limitation ( 111,1ent. dnw cafe, t fun, ion
2 1 Range of mown
kk `.1
t oniments (how affects fum wit)
KNI I Mololit,
right
ma right I Fquepenent (Indicate R ,n 1 ,
transfers
left
left aling
fun. non -el limitation nub petal. nt
feint banal lernitatton handaplent
hip aseastane e required
shoulder other hie, rein. I
km, d est ribe
elbow 't laments (how affects function, walkim,
ankle
wrest cult pe euIent
right left
hand II AN It sttIttatem
(mum curt 1,1". alf it fun( el, i asseseanc tc requ.red
nght It ft ales, tutu, (stunt problems that ma, alb, t tine, egt de sc WPC
Comments thaw affects loon teen) Alt( dependent on Atte ndant
Ii St 1,, ADI indepeml}nt
11,11e/1, ihow afte, is turn thud
,},NI
It Sec sof, fan,. altitudes I r quiptueent undo ate R or I
rie,ht 1

NM l fl
alternatite tranapartabon a, ceealeil,et whit el, hair
right (Sp, ..( mods net e .in, for inde pctole ra eincIng full It 0 bra, e
fun, tional limo -01,11
left AN lila' ilett of monee ',equip!. ta and k I f111 It in, walking aid
right
functional lirrutstion ( otaments (comment completed, m can n anal shoed leg br et e
ea It ft
right otln r ofeescrilee I
W lame 1` ent II I N pe1.11111palrIllt to tetIIIIItlense pain
W left Konen nit those alb . i fun, bun)
too, h et, .2 he,w offec t s function/
I 0171171f MI (I tips of impairment po..t,011senne peon
tout h, etc 2 how affects fun, born

n 5.)
20;;
MOBILITY DEVICES

Reprmtvi pe".siQn of
Colorado Driving School
P.O. BOX 393
Englewood, Colorado 80151

EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Driving A Van

Name
Date
Evaluator.
Original Vehicle Equipment: Power steering, power brakes, automatic transmission, air conditioning, large outside mirrors, 3/4
ton, heavy duty cooling, heavy duty alternator
Vehicle Modifications:

A Hand controls Steering 'wheel access modifications


1 Right side mount _1 Swivel-base driver's seat
2 Left side mount 2 Power seat base for duver's seat
3 Paraplegic style (with horn button 3 Floor channels
and dimmer swi 'I) a. 2" standard
4 Quadriplegic style (with wrist rest, b. 5" electric
horn button and dimmer button 4 Elevator floor
5 Lever type (push-pull) 5 Quick release alternate driver's seat
6 Brake bracket to mount the hand 6 Other
controls (I Control modifications
7 Other. 1 Relocate igrntion switch
B Steering device 2 Transmission scqector extension
1 Steering knob 3 Turn signal extension
2 Tn -pin q Dash mounted control extensions
Position notation Special notations.
4 Other 5 Power windows
C Fully automatic lift 6 Power door lock
I Door actuators 7 Elbow turn signal, horn, and wiper
2 Outside access door for switches controls
3 Position notation 8 Control console
4 Other- __9. Electric emergency brake
D Vehicle body modifications 10 Emergency brake switch
_1 Raised roof (17" or 24") 11. Other:
2 Raised doors (57") H Safety features
3 Verne le body stabilizers 1. Upper body belt foi balance
4 Heavy duty suspension _a. To wheelchair
5 Smooth floor Shoulder belts-underarm
6 Other support
E Steering wheel modifications 2 Electric lockdown for dnver's
1 Extended steering column length wheelchair
notation 3 Manual lockdown for passenger's
2 Tilting/telescoping steering wheelchair
3 Steering wheel size variance 4 Dual battery system
explain 5 CB radio
4 Sensitized steering 6 Orthodic device explain'
5 Other 7. Other.

tiff z

184 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBUOK RESNA 1984 184


MOBILITY DEVICES

CAR SELECTION AND PURCHASE

Reproduced with permission from Teacning Driver 15) Rear Window Defroster mandatory on all
Education to the Physically Disabled Human cars since 1978
Resocrces Center, Albertson, New York
16) Cruise Control to reduce the fatigue when
driving for long distances on highways
General Requirements
17) Available Space to permit transfer of the
The automobile to be utilized by the disabled wheelchair into the back seat of the car
driver may include all or some of the following Available space for the wheelchair and the
factory equipment in addition to the hand controls height of the car floor irom the ground
and assistive devices that must be nstalled to should be measured to determine if the
compensate for functional limitatio .s disabled individual has sufficient strength
to pull the wheelchair into the car
1) 8 Cylinder Car to accommodate all the power
devices
Car Purchase
2) 2-Door Sedan to permit easier entry of
wF elchair to car Car purchase should be done with much atter tion to
ensure th it the disabled individual will hae the
3) Automatic Transmission to reduce vehicle functional capabilities to drive the particular
operation efforts car he or she wishes to buy Items that should be
investigated are cost, steering effort required,
4) Power Steering to fac ate one hand braking effort required, available space for
steering for individuals with upper extremity wheelchair, height of stepwell, visibility acces-
weakness sibility of dashboard controls, efficiency and
reliability of vehicle (as the disabled individual
5) Power Brakes to facilitate braking by use cannot afford a breakdown), and insurance rates
of hand controls for individuals wit- limited
ranges of motion and/or concurrent weakness Car purchase. is extremely difficult for indivi-
duals who utilize hand controls and assistive
6) Power Windows to permit individuals who devices because they cannot test-drive the vehicle
lack hand and wrist dexterity to pay tolls, LA,' rather must rely on the tudgment of others
ask directions, etc
Not all the vehicle requirements mentioned are
7) 6-way Power Seat to aid in transfer and necessary for all disabled drivers Decisions as
seating position adjustments, as well as to to what is needed depend on functional limitations
compensate for some functionai limitations and capabilities The driver educator must
impress upon the disabled trainee the importance
8) Air Conditioning to assist individuals with of regular car maintenance and checkups in order
low respiratory levels and those who have to minimize the chance of failure I any kind
skin problems Tires, engine, hand controls and assistive devices
should he maintained in as nea-ly perfect condi-
9) Bench Seat (Vinyl) to allow for ease and tions at-. possible
safety while transferring
After the proper vehicle hi. been selected, opti-
10) Tilt Steering Wheel to cilitate steering mal assistive devices should be installed to com-
for individuals utilizing a quad cuff and to pensate for (unctional limitations They should
allow for ease of transfer by the disabled be safe and provide the most efficient compensa-
individual A telescopic steering wheel can tion for functional limitations It is Important
also be helpful in certain disabilities that these assistive d 'vices be install( d so that
they do not interfere with the able-bodied driver
11) Power Door Locks to permit the disabled when operating the vr hide
individual to unlock an? lock the doors
independontly
For names and addresses of manufacturers of
12) Fold-down Arm hest to aid in hip stability adapted driving aids, contact the ABLEDATA system
for certain disabilities

13) Inside Adjustable Side View Mirror to


enab'e the disabled individual to operate
right and left Side view mirrors If there
is an absence of a functional grip or finger
dexterity, a toggle sw tch is recommended for
ease of operation

14) CB Radio - to assist the disabled individual


in case of vehicle breakdown and when tnere
is a need for emergency assistance

185 TECHNOJGY FOR INDEPEPJDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 185


aD

Reprinted with permission from Hand Controls and Assistive Devices for the Physically Disabled Driver, Human Resources Center
Albertson, New York

GUIDE TO THE USE OF HAND CONTROLS AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES


/ I T7 7 T r r F7
a,
s/ /s//
/ / //
/
2 / // / /
0
,f/ll
/ r / / / / / ,
/

8
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//-
/41//

,
/ Wim. ..cuos
To comm A

LOT LIS X X
I
-r 1
I IF TRANSFER IS 'II
FOSSIL( A 1100010 VAN
1 114
liC01111111010

1
161110.1
MOM LES X ,..,
'" ..'
mu 11.
X 2 SELECTION OF ASSISTIVE
DEVICES IMMO ALWAYS
I- COMMA MAU V
WEAKNESS OF INOWOM
0a, SOTS LEM X X X . I
X X X
nim.,...X xx x x 3 IF MAE IS
CONCARAINT MAW
OAWAGE PSYCHOLOGICAL
FACTORS WORLD Si
CONSIMMO
C ISIM AM X X x

.
IF MOIVIMAL CANNOT
ClIf RATE EXISTING
SWITCHES TOGGLE

0 LIFT AM X X x MTCH ES ARE

iA
-- RECOMMI1010

VEHICLE 11413V0 SE
0 MTN AM'
X
x x x FORAM AS DISCUSSED
C X IN TEXT
X I mACONOITIONING If
LW LIS X NECESSARY FOX ALL
AIM X X
MN, X x INONHORALS KITH LOW
LIFT AIM RESPIRATORY LEVEL

FOR WfWvICIAALS WITH


OMNI US
SHOAT AIMS A NANO
MO X X X X x CONTROL EXTENSION KAY
MAT TAM
.._ IN NECESSARY TO
FACILITATE 'RAKING ASO
LEFT AM ACCELERATING
NO X X X x
OMNI L'S

t
fA X _4.
z SIM AM
AN
r X
X X X x
LEST LOS

mAtartival x
_.
mom.
- ._ _
ALL MOS
USN
MOMS
mu
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.
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a
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..
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-...
X X !, x x xx x
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.....x
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X x x
t-
MAIM X
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um
X X ,!.. AIX X X X
PP ISRIMIX
_1 --- _____

NV
or ATM X
Amu TN

iAgaw
NSISNT X X M,
X X
IIMM. Il X X X XX
__

i 2r6
MOBILITY DEVICES

RESOURCES PERSONAL VCHICLES

PUBLICATIONS Gunny Places in Your Own venicie lietty Garee,


editor Accent Special Publications, P 0 Box
Driver Education Curriculum Guide for the 700, Bloomington, Illinois 61701 1982 65
Physically Handicapped Des Moines Public pages $7 15
Schools, 1800 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 503J7
Guide for Physicians in Determining Fitness to
Driver Education for the Handicapped A Oro/ Ell Drive a Motor Vehicle, revised 1981 The Canadian
Guide for Behind the Wheel Instruction David G Medical Association, 1867 Alta Vista (live,
Kraemer Materials Development Center, Stout Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA K1G 0G8
Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, University of
Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonee, Wisconsin 54751 Rev Hand Controls and Assistive Devices for the
ed 1S80 63 pages, figs Spiral bound $350 A Physically Disabled Driver Menahem Less et al
driver training educational program field tested Human Resnurces Center Albertson, NY 11507
with persons having various disabi lities 1981 52 p This manual includes a practical
Including instruction& forms, 16 strut, tured evaluation of functional disabilities, a summary
lessons, guidelines for teaching glossary of of hand controls, assistive devices and modified
medical terms, and list of manufacturers of vans, and a guide to the use of hand controls and
special automotive equipment ass stave devices

Driver Education for the Severely Physically Dis- The Handicapped Di wer's Mobility Guide, 3rd edi-
abled Equipment and Adapted Methodologies for tion Traffic Engineering and Safety Department
Teachinain a Fully Modified Van Human Resources American Automobile Association, Falls Church, VA
Center, Albertson, New York 11507 This instruc- 22047 1981 75 op Contact your local AAA club
tional manual describes the special equipment and regarding the availability of this publication
adapted methodologies used to teach severely dis- Information on equipment, selection, training, and
abled individuals to drive a van independently a national license plate blue curb law survey
The manual offers useful training techniques and Contains a 54 page state by state annotated list
illustrates many adapted devices for the severely of organizations providing services such as
physically disabled person driver training, evaluation, van modification

Driving for the Phy&callyhandicapped Pro- A Manual on the Driver Training Programme for the
ceeoings of a National Symposium 1981 Education Physically Handicapped Glenrose Hospital, 10230
and Training Center, Rehabilitation Institute of 11th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5G OB7 Canada
Chicago, 345 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL
60611 $'0 00 Outdoor Transport (4th edition) E R Wilshire
Equipment for the Disabled Series Oxford
"Driving Systems for Independent Mobility" ADL, Regional Health Authority, 2 Foredown Drive,
Inc, 6 Hurlow Court, Rockville, Maryland 20850 Postslade, Brighton, BN4 2BB, ENGLAND Lists and
Attn Elise Brown $2 50 describes, with photographs, transportation and
outdoor accessibility equipment for disabled
Evaluating Driving Potential of Persons with persons Covers categories such as children's
Physical Disabilities Menahem Less, Edward C mobility aids, outdoor wheelchairs, car, and car
Colverd, Gerald E DeMauro, and Judy Young Human accessories, van conversions, harnesses, garages
Resources Center, Albertson, New York 11507 and ramps Includes reference and resource lists
1978 36 pages Evaluation of potential must be Physician's Guide for C Driver
the starting point in any driver education program Limita tion American Pledical Association, 535
designed for the physically disabled The program N Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60610
must be adapted to the needs of each student This
manual brings together assessment expertise in the Perceptual Cognitive Skills and Driving Effect
areas of driver education and muscle testing of Brain Damage, University of Michigan, Rehab
presents contributions of experts and res urces in Engineering Center, Highway Safety Research Insti-
both these fields as welt as the experiences of tute, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 January 1980
the Human Resources Center adaptive driver
education program Particular attention is givtn "Physically Disabled Driver" Rehab Brief, Volume
to those muscle movements that are most directly III, No 9, June 25, 1980 National Institute of
involved in driving Handicapped Research, Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Educa-
The evaluation process, which is described here tion, Washington, DC 20201
is divided into two main a.eas functional and
in-car Both are concerned with strength, range Preliminary Testing of Techniques to Improve
of motion, coordination, reach, and speed and Driving Performance of Persons with Brain Damage
reaction time of those muscles involved in driv- via Perceptual/Cognitive Training Sivak, Hill,
ing The functional test is an in-depth evalua- Olsen, Henson University of Michigan, Rehab
tion of the general performance of the muscles Engineering Center, Highway Safety Research Insti-
while the in-car evaluation assesses muscle per- tute, Ann Arbor Michigan 48109
formanca spee.ific to driving The use of these
tess provides the basis for datermining whether Teaching Driver Education to the Disabled
the disabled individual can drive end for recom Teaching Driver Education to the Hearing Impaired
mending assistwe devices 9
iv
187 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 187
MOBILITY DEVICES

Memphis City School, 2687 Avery, Memphis, TN for Clinical Evaluation of Patients, Archives of
38112 Phys Med & Rehab Vol 59 May 1978

Teaching Driver Education to the Pnysicaiiy Dis- M 0, Greenfield, Waiter, Jr


abled Menahem Less et al human Resources The Handicapped Driver An Insurer's Point of
Center, Albertson, NY 11507 1978 64 pages View Archives of Phys Med Aug 1977 Vol
$b 00 The driver education instructor will find 58
in this manual the information necessary to pro-
vide an efficient driver training program for Negri, Barry, [bison, Richard, Ph D, Accidents
physically disabled students The adapted Involving Handicapped Drivers Rehab Literature
teaching methodology presented here provides de- May June 1979 Vol 40
tailed information on special driving techniques
for the disabled, including the use of driving Reger, S I, et al Aid for Training and Evalua-
aids in training, functions of hand controls and tion of Handicapped Dnvers Bulletin of Pros-
assistive devices, transfer methods, use of simu- thetics Research, Fall 1981 Government Printing
lators, use of vans, and preparation for the road Office, Washington, DC 051-000-00157-5
test.
Risk, Harold, M S Driving Control and Equipment
Teaching the Handicapped to Drive Resource fcr a Quadruple Amrutee Patient, Archives Phys
Manual Marvin Mills, principal author, editor Med Vol 61 Jaruary 1980
Murray State University Printing Services, Murray,
Kentucky 1980 Sivak, Michael, Ph D, Olsen, D J, Driving and
Perceptual Cognitive Skills Behavioral Con-
Teacher's Preparation Course in Driver Education sequences of Brain Damage, Archives of Phys Med
for the Physically Disabled A Sample Course Vol 62 October 1981
Edward Colverd, et at Human Resources Center,
Albertson, New York 1978 40 pp $4 25 This Szeto, AY J and Hogan, HA An Evaluation Simu-
is a course outline for teaching driver educators lator for the Scott Van Proceedings of the First
the art of teaching adapted driver education It Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference, June
presents le- ,on plans to provide guidelines and 1982 LSU Medical Center, Shreveport, LA
suggests d general sequence of progress for the
knowledgeable instructor bider, Steven J, Gold, Marc W, Behind the Wheel
Training for Individuals Labeled Moderately
The manual also includes listings of available Retarded, 'Exceptional Children' May 1981
training films, manufacturers of hand and foot
controls and assistive devices, companies that
specialize in van modifications, as well as a NEWSLETTERS
bibliography, a sample final examination, and a
course evaluation form ADED Newsletter
Carmello Strano, Editor
Moss Rehabilitation Hospital
SELECTED ARTICLES Transportation Center
12th Street and Tabor Road
Andrews, Paui, Erickson, John, Vision Beyond Com- Philadelphia, PA 19141
pare, Paraplegic News-November 1979 Official publication of the Association of
Educators for the Disabled Published quar-
Bardach, Joan, Ph D, Psychological Facturs in the terly and distributed to ADED members
Handicapped Driver Archives of Phys Med & Rehab
Vol 52 July 1971 Driver Education Digest
Virginia Anderson, Staff Editor
Clack, T D, Olsen, D J, The Hearing Handicapped P 0 Box 5038
in ,automobile Operations, Kresge Hearing Insti- Southfield, MI 48037
tute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Publicaton of the Chevrolet Motor Division
Arbor, Michigan 48109

Gurgold, Gary, Harden, David, Assessing the AUDID'aISUALS


Driving Potential of the Handicapped American
Journal of Occupation& Therapy January 1978 "Dn Par" 28 minute color cilm/video describing
the Driver Education Program Available from
Handicapped Drivers Education and Training Ameri- Coordinator, Driver Education Programme, Rehabili-
can Rehabilitation, Jan/Feb 1982 tation Medicine, Glenrose Hospital, 10230 111th
Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5G 0B7, Canada
Jacobs, Stanley, M D Reporting the Handicapped
Driver Archives of Phys Med & Rehab Vol 59 "Driver Educat:on for 'he Handic loped" Available
August 1978 from Memphis City Schools 2687 Avery, Memphis,
Tennessee 38112
Kent, Herbert, M D, et al, A Driver Training
Program for the Disabled Archives Phys Med Special Equipment for Handicapped Drivers", 21
Vol 60 June 1979 minutes "Vehicle Selection for the Disabled
Driver" Available from Supervisor of Physical
Kopsa, Rodger, MA McDermott, Make, Jr , Ph D. Fducation, Health and Safety, Des Moines Public
Handicapped Driver Controls Operability A Device Schools, 1800 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50307

21)
188 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1984 188
MOBILITY DEVICES

"Right of Way" 25 minutes Available f-lm


Margaret Young, OC C C. Toronto. Canada, also
Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre, 144 Front
Street W, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2L7, 1416) 593
1808 (rental or purchase), and COE Film Asso-
ciates, 65 E 96th Street, New York, NY 10028.
(2121 831-5355

"Physically Disabled Drivers"; Part I "Assistive


Devices (28 30 minutes, 3/4" video), Part II "Ap-
plicants" (30 15 minutes) Available from Mr
Michael Bloom, A/V Department, New York University
Medical Center, 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY
1U016, (212) 340-5449, and Mr Bernie Macklin,
Sales Department, Movielab Incorp, 619 W 54th
Street, New York, NY 10019 Training films pro-
duced for New York State Motor Vehicle License
Inspectors, by N Y U Merlical Center

RESEARCH

NIHR-funded research in this area is being done


by

Louisiana Tech University


P 0 Box 10348
Ruston, LA 71272
318/257-4562
Duane F Bruley, Ph D, director
Core area Transportation of the handicapped
personal licensed vehicles

The Emergency Reaction Driver Training Program


(ERD), taught at Liberty Mutual Research Center ,n
Hopkinton, Massachusetts, has trainee licensed
dryers in improvement of skills necessars, to
handle typical highway emergency situations for a
number of years The center conducted a pilot
program to investigate the feasibility of
improving, through instruction and practice, the
capability of physically handicapped licensed
drivers to handle emergency driving situations
The center offered 2-day classes in 1982 Eleven
physically disabled drivers took part in the pilot
program and each driver felt he benefited from the
training and recommended that ERD training be
included as part of rehabilitation training

For organizations that provide driver evaluation


and training, see The Handicapped Driver's
Mobility Guide or contact ADE!)

189 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 189


Control, Communication
and Sensory Aids

21 ,
CONTROL. COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS 193

CONTROL 193

INTRODUCTION 191
CONTROLLER CHARACTERISTICS 194
GUIDELINES FOR SWITCHES 195
GUIDELINES FOR GOOD INTERFACES 195
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZED INTERCONNECTION PROJECT 196
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS CONTROL AND ASSESSMENT 197
SOME MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS OF CONTROLS 198
ALTERNATIVES TO PURCHASE DO IT YOURSELF 20'
R&D ORGANIZATIONS 202

COMMUNICATION 203

WHAT KINDS OF COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES ARE AVAILABLE? 203


WRITING & TYPING 204
ISAAC 205
GUIDES TO COMMUNICATION AIDS 205
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 206
AUDIOVISUALS 207
SERVICE CENTERS 208
NONSPEECH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS 211
SOME COMMUNICATION AID MANUFACTURERS 213
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 215

SENSORY AIDS 216

TECHNOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED VISION 216


SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 216
PRODUCT CATALOGS 217
AUDIOVISUALS 217
OTHER RESOURCES 218

TECHNOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED HEARING 219


EQUPMENT DEMONSTRATION CENTERS 219
DEAFNET 219
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 220
ORGANIZATIONS 222
TOM 223

v..) 4
A.,

192 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 192


CONTROL

INTRODUCTION

"Access to the present day world of technological aids to mobility, commu-


nication, environmental control and computer use for people w,th physical
limitations is frequently dependent upon a rather commonplace device, the
switch One or more switches are used to create controls A control is
defined as 'a mechanism used to regulate or guide the operations of a
machine, apparatus, or system,' and, more philosophically, as 'power or
athhority to guide cc manage' (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, 1973)
The most wondrous device or the simplest toy will be useless or underused
if the user cannot make it work"

from the introduction ro A Guide to Controls Selection, Mounting, Applica-


tions

A Guide to Controls Selection, Mounting, Applica- Selecting a Control


tion has been compiled to help users select and
locate the most useful switches and controls for People use controls such as steering wheels,
operating assistive devices Included in the knobs, levers, pushbuttons and toggle switches to
guide are illustiations and descriptions of the interact with systems Controls usually enable a
most frequently used commercially available con- user to make a ch3,-,9e in the system, and are often
trols, information on matching controls to devices used vith displays A system is a machine de-
and users; examples of methods used to effectively signed :o carry out a purpose, such dS communica-
mount and stabilize controls, and applicaiiohs of ting with 3 telephone and/or speech synthesizer,
systems with controls in use getting around in an automobile and/or wheelchair,
or controlling the enviroi.ment by turning on
The resource section refers users to manufac- lights and opening doors
turers, research organizations, serv:ce/assessment
centers and selection publications concerning The controls which a person is able to use must be
controls, and directs users to information on determined before making decisions regarding the
cont )Is not included in the guide References selection of assistive devices A systematic
ale included on communication aids, using devices approach can be used to select an appropriate
in the classroom, microcomputer applications, control that can be used by an individual to
funding sources and do-it-yourself projects interact with a device There are three major
steps on selection a control (1) control site
selection, (2) control seiect:on and (3) compara-
Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Children's tive testing of the control site/ control combi-
Hospital at Stanford, December 1982 available nation
from RESNA, Suite 402, 4405 East-West Highway,
Bethesda, MD 20814, 501/657 -4142 315 00 The chart on the next page summarizes control
approaches

Service Centers

For a list of agencies that can provide assessment


and other services in the area of communication
and control, see the list in the Communication
section

91

193 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPEtIOENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 193


CONTROL. COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

CONTROLLER CHARACTERISTICS

r hap follovviciy table ItUtlift141111ZON what might be expected for various con-
troller approaches All but the last two entries are for proportional
controllers Any controller type can be implemented as a four switch
solution, but one should expect s reductior in rate of maneuverability

Type Control Potential Effectiveriew Special Meth Major


Schema of Control Requirements Advantages Disadvantages

CHIN Push in corresponding good, large range of motion can be ettiched to large and bulky,
(normal directions proportions! of head needed wheelchair range of motion,
mystic-Id men frame *Opearanca, interferes
with face oriented tasks

CHIN Pugh in corresponding good, worn es collar require, very cosmetics, might
(*tort directions proPortion which should smell range of interfere with face
throw) be fitted motion, not oriented teaks
tiring

HEAD re opposite good, control for reverse good appearance during control 01111111M
REST Mee Proportional is not continuous slight interference the heed rest is not a
CONTROL =etre switch I with face oriented resting place
troves

JOYSTICK push in corresponding good, -functional" good appearance requires soot remaining
directions proportional hand or inn arm /hand function

ARM/ at,. for /beck fair to good, reasonably good appearance arm movement, must
ELBOW velocity, proportional Strang be able to resist perk
elbow in/out movements needed and other inertias inputs
turn

HEAD Push in corresponding fair to good, must maintain menially induced


CONTROL direction proportions., head position movements of head can
interfere

SHOULDER idev-/dwres good. adhesive or worn under may involve extensive


POSITION velocity. Proportional Menem for attachment clothing, little training requirements,
protrect/retract to chest and shoulder interference, allergic reaction to
turn extremely adhesives, mounting
cosmetic requirements.

FOOT/ TOM, lair to good accommodation in CP, may potential


LEG/ possible proportional of entrance be whets interference
KNEE/ configurations and exit from avoilable whenever leg
wheelchair his anything

PNEUMATIC hitsg puff/sup slow to mad gr. -...1 breathing good appearance does not Provide
lour f /140 for /back maneuvering, capabilities may be among continuous
time weed good straighteways the few possible porportional contra,
soft puff/up turn rata solutions Saliva

SWITCH 1 ow forty slow and herd to can be lent demanding most tolerant to difficult to maneuver
SOLUTIONS is 2 an right maneuver, awkward on solution for the severe 'Politico
3 sw back straight ewers operator
an left

ti

194 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SPURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 194


CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

GUIDELINES FOR SWITCHES SOME GUIDELINES FOR GOOD INTERFACES

"Switch Rules and Considerations for CommainicAtnr These guidel.nes for mass rnalet products appearec.1
Use" in Communication Outlook, Volume 5, No 3, in the April 1980 issue of High Technology maga-
Winter 1984, page 7, was written by William F zine They can and perhaps should be used by
Tracy and Debra Elevens, of the Department of people working with technology for special needs,
Psychology, Clover Bottom Developmental C.tnter, too (Editor)
275 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, Tennessee
37214 This article is applicable for people 1 The device should provide what the user wants,
putting switches on devices for severely motor needs, and expects If it requires the user to
impaired persons Besides listing the 10 factors adapt land every product will do this to some
(see below) which should be zonsidered, they also extent), the initial changes should be as small as
explain some safety procedures to be followed possible and in a direction that the user will
perceive in advance as positive
1) Any switch must be safe for the user
2 The user not the product should be in
2) The switch must be operated with a minimum of command Users should never feel that the product
user effort and maximum user comfort is arbitrarily dictating how they must interact
with it, but should feel that the product is
3) The switch must be reliable adapting to their individual requirements
4) Switches must be minimally noticeable and, if 3 The user should feel confident in the product
possible, cosmetically pleasing its usefulness and reliability right from
the start The new user should view the product
5) If possible, the switch should move with the as friendly and helpful, and a sophisticated user
user, who must be able to activate the switch should be able to operate it without unnecessary
without the need to "find" it constraint As the user progresses, he should be
able to speed up his interaction, increasingly
6) Switches must permit disassembly for cleaning viewing the device as an extension of himself
and maintenance
4 The product should provide unambiguous feedback
7) Switches should use standard components which to the user Alternatives should be clearly
are readily available and replaceable spel'ed out and easy to execute
whenever possible
5 Ideally, the product should require no instruc-
8) The switch should be the simplest to serve tion manual The user should feel that he and the
its purpose do not overdesign product are a self-sufficient whole If some
guidance must be provided, the simpler the better
9) The switch must be sturdy

10) All switches should be duplicable and


duplicated

215

195 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 19b4 195


CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZED INTERCONNECTION PROJECT

There has been a very rapid increase in electronic matted on a single RS-232C serial channel simulta-
communication and control aids for individuals neously This standard is also used for sending
having severe and multiple physical disabilities position information from long range light pens,
within the last few years A large variety of and other devices thdt send X x Y coordinates
different aids, interfaces, and accessories has
been developed to meet the very diverse needs and Input Selection Array Compatibility_Standard (ISA)
capabilities of the different disabled indivi-
duals. As might be expected, nearly every re- The ISA Compatibility Standard is meant to cover
searcher and manufacturer chose a slightly separate Input Selection Array devices that can be
different connector, pin-out, voltage convention plugged into a communication aid or computer
or format for their aids, interfaces, and ac- These incLide touch panels, special keyboards
cessories The restrictions brought on by incom- (keyboards that are meant for one-at-a-time selec-
patibility of different systems has created severe tion by location), scanning panels that can output
(and unnecessary) problems The end result can be discrete selection after interacting with the
that the handicapped individual is fitted with an user through a simple switch, and other devices
aid, interface, and accessories which do not ade- that allow the user to make a single selection at
quately meet his/her needs a time from a displayed array of selections

A group of manufacturers, clinicians and re- Keyboard Emulator Input Compatibility Standard
searchers are working on the development of a set (KEI)
of proposed compatibility standards for electrical
communication aid devices for conversation, The KEI Compatibility Standard proposal is meant
writing, and computer access Developing a c.-mimois to cover the connection between a communication
format will allow easier identification of inter- aid and the keyboard emulato, for a computer run-
faces, aids, and accessories which can work to ning standard software Keyboard emulators are
gether, and will ensure that such aids can, in devices designed to accept electronic data input
fact, be connected This objectives of the pro- and to introduce that data into a computer running
ject are standard software in such a way that it is Ind's-
tinpuishable from data input on the keyboard The
1) to develop common technical formats/ for aids form of the data input to the keyboard emulator is
and interfaces This includes factors the focus of the KEI Compatibility Standard pro-
related to voltage, writing, etc posal (the output of the keyboard emulator will
2) the designation of an agreed-upon common always be specific to a particular computer and
connector/s therefore not standardizable)
3) to develop of a simple, straightforward
naming or labeling format which will enable Keyboard Emulator Input Morse Code Compatibility
non-technical people to mix and match aids, Standard (KEIMC)
interfaces, and accessories which ale
electronically and mechanically compatible to The KEIMC Compatibility Standard is a superset of
meet the needs of the handicapped individual international Morse code Using a three-state
sequential code, it will produce the complete
In trying to develop a single standard, the group ASCII character set, common non-ASCII keys such as
found that one standard wot Id be insufficient It arrow keys, and the special KEI functions such as
was determined that compatibility for communica- "HOLD" for emulating key combinations
tion aid mterconreutions would be facilitated by
the development of separate compatibility stan- Subsystem Bidirectional Ccrnmunication
dards for functicnally distinct situations This Compatibility Standard (SBC)
makes each separate standard simpler and easier to
implement, and will make it easier to get the The SBC Compatibility Standard is meant to cover
necessary concensus They are currently working bidirectional communications between communication
on the following compatibility standards pro- aid subsystems such as a portable main processor,
posals input display, output display, pr:nter, voice
output subsystem, environmental controller, modem,
Simple Electrical Transducer Compatibility and wheelchair controller
Standard (SET)
The International Standard Interconnection Project
The SET Compatibility Standard is meant to cover began with finding by the National Science Founda-
the connection between simple electrical trans- tion, and is currently being supported by the
ducers (switches, potentiometers, and rheostats) National Institute of Handicapped Research
and communication aids More sophisticated trans-
ducers such as EMG transducers can be used with For more information about the current status of
the SET Compatibility Standard if they emulate one the project, please contact The International
of the simple transducers Communication Aids Compatibility (ICAO) Standards,
c/o Trace Research and Development Center, 314
SET Serial Conversion Compatibility Standard Weisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI
(SETSC) 53706, 608/262-6966

The SETSC Compatibility Standard proposal allows


information from switches and puts to be trans
tir..)e1
196 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 196
CONTROL. COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS RELATED TO CONTROLS AND ASSESSMENT

An Assistive Equipment Controller for Quadri- controls and power sources


plegics," by G Schmisser and WSeamone, The Johns
.lopkins Medical Journal 145 3, 84-88, Sept 1979 "Microprocessor-Based Assessment of Controller
Interfaces for Disabled Users," by C Basacchi,
A Comparative Study of Control and Display Design S Naumann, PhD, and M Milner, PhD, Pro-
Princples Which Affect Efficient Use of Communi- ceedings of the Fourth Annual Rehabilitation Engi-
cation Aids by the Severely Disabled, Final Re- neering Conferences, Washington, DC, 1981
port, Rehabilitation Engineering Center,
Children's Hospital at Stanford, 520 Willow Road, "Model for a Ce nputer-Based Procedure to Prescribe
Palo Alto, CA 94304 an Optimal 'Keyboard,- by Cheryl Goodenough-
Trepagnier, and Cheryl and Michael J Rosen, Pro-
"Computers Can Play A Dual Role for the Disabled," ceedings of the Fourth Annual Rehabilitation Engi-
by Gregg Vanderheiden, Byte, Vol 7, No 9, Sept neering Conference, Washington, DC, 198'
1982
Proceedings of the Second International Conference
"Controls," by Larry Weiss, Proceedings of the Non-Speech Communication November 15-17, Ontario
1981 Conference on Access to Technology Rehabili- Institute for Studies in Education Toronto,
tation Engineering Center, Children's Hospital at Ontario, Canada, 1982
Stanford, Palo Alto, CA, 1981
Proceedings of the Seminar on Electronic Controls
Enhancing the educational Potential of Non-Oral for the Severely Disabled Vancouver British
Children Through Matching Communication Device Columbia, Canada, 1974 Available from Kinsmen
Capabilities to Children's Needs, Final Report Rehabilitation Foundation, 2256 W 12th Ave,
submitted to Department of Education for Vancouver, British Columbia, V6K 2N5, Canada
Field Initiated Research Project Colette L
Coleman, PhJ, Albert M Cnok, PhD, and Lawrence "Specification of interfaces for Communication
Meyers, PhD, Grant #GOC ,2261, CFDA #13,443c, Aids" by Nigel Ring, Proceeding of Workshop on
1982 Communication Aids Canadian Medical and Bio-
logical Engineering Society, c/o National Research
"Factors Affecting Communication Rate in Non-Vocal Council, Ottawa, Ontario 10, Canada, KIA OR8,
Communication Systems," by Michael J Rosen and June, 1977
Cheryl Goodenough-Trepagnier, Proceedings of the
Fourth Annual Rehabilitation Engineering Con- "A Single Switch Control for Wheelchairs and Other
ference, Washington, DC Available from Rehabili- Equipment," by Nelson D Dune, Med Pro_lr
tation Engineering Society of North America, 4405 Technol, 6 15-18, 1978
East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814
"Sensors, Controls and Man-Machine Interface for
Guide to Controls Selection, Mounting, Applica- Advanced Teleoperation," by Antal K Belcey
tions Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Science 208 4450, 1327-135, June 20 1980
Children's Hospital at Stanford, 520 Willow Road,
Palo Alto, CA 94304, $1000 prepaid "A Study of Neuromotor Control in Athetoid
Children," by E Paul Goldenberg, oceedings of
"Human-Controlled Electric Wheelchair," by J H the Fourth Annual Rehabilitation Engineering Con-
Aylor, B W Johnson, R L Ramsey, and C T ference, Washington, DC, 1981
Swanson, Medical and Biological Engineering and
Computer Journal, 17 6, 776-778, Nov 1979 "A Systematic Appioach to Choosing Interfaces i r
Assistive Devices," by AM Cook and MR Barker,
Human Performance Engineering A Guide for Sys- Final Report submitted to Department of Education
tems Designers, by Robert W Bailey Prentice- for Field Initiated Research Project, Grant
Hall, Inc, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1982 #G007902261

"Interface Control Training for Persons with "A Systematic Approa h ro Evaluating Physical
Cerebral Palsy A Pilot Study," by G F Shein and Ability for Control of Assistive Devices.' by
M Chown, Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Rehabi- Margaret R Barker and Albert M Cook, PhD, Pro-
litation Engineering Conference, Houston, Texas, ceedings of the Fourth Annual Rehabilitation Engi-
1982 RESNA, 4405 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD neering Conference, Washington, DC, 1981
20814
"Towards Standardization of Communication and
"Interfacing Computers for the Cisabled," by Alan Control Systems for Motor Impaired People," by I
Kirschenbaum, Zohar Edam, and Arm Melnik, Pro- Mo usso, P M Penso, G P Suetta, and V
ceedings of the Fifth Annual Rehabilitation Engi- Ta ',asco, Medical & Biological Engineering_&
neering Conference, Houston, Texas, 1982 Computing, 17 481-488, 1979

Manual on Management of the Quadriplegic Upper


Extremity, by M H Malick and CM Meyer, 1978
201 pages Available from Fred Sammons, Inc,
Brookfield, Illinois Includes a section on en-
vironmental control systems, wheelchair control
systems and criteria for selection of orthoses,

197 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 197


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

SOME MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF CONTROLS

Abbey Medical tronic reading and speech synthesizer


Catalog Sales systeins
13782 Crenshaw Blvd
Gardens, CA 90249 Dickey Engineering
(800) 421-5126 national 3 Angel Road
(800) 262-1294 California North Reading, MA 01864
D stributes some controls for communication (617) 664-2010
aids, environmental control and mobility Design, manufacture and distribute control
systems. Durable medical goods, therapy switches for use with call systems, environ-
equipment mental control, end page turning systems

Allied Business Machines Dufco


9281 Earl Street 901 Iva Court
La Mesa, CA 92041 Cambria, CA 93428
(714) 461-6361 (805) 927-4392
Distributes control switches an telephone Design and manufacture communication aids,
devices wheelchair control systems, Borg Warner
System80 teaching system interfaces
Arizona State Division of Developmental
Disabilities Du -It Control Systems Group, Inc
Adaptive Aids Program 8765 Township Road 513
P 0 Box 13178 Shreve, OH 44676-9421
Tucson, AZ 85732 (2 567-2906
(602) 745-5588 Designs and distributes wheelchair control
Has available therapist-developed, client- systems for the severely disabled, including
maciufactured swatches and systems for cogni- same-switcl, access to environmental control,
tion and motor training, communication and typing and computer
environmental control
EKEG Electronics Co, Ltd
Basic Telecommunications Corporation P U Box 46199
4414 E Harmony Road Station 'G'
Ft Collins, CO 80525 Vancouver, B C, Canada
(303) 226-4688 Distribute expanded keyboard control
Designs, manufactures and/or distributes switches' lever
technical aids, with emphasis on environmen-
tal control, telephone and telecommunica- FashionABLE
tions, bed control, and switch interface 15 Crescent Avenue
equipment Will do private label manufac- Rocky Hill, NJ 08553
turing (609) 921-2563
Distribute devices and gadgets, some of which
BSR are controls, addressed to the rehabilitation
Route 303 area
Blauvelt, NY 10913
(914) 358-6060 General Teleoperato:T, Inc
Manufacture control switches for use with 15118 Downey Ave
their environmental control systems Paramount, CA 90723
1213)634 -6531
Linda L Burkhart Distribute switches (body contact, tongue,
8315 Potomac Avenue lever, remote control, pneumatic) for use
College Park. MD 2-740 with their environmental control systems
Designs and manufactures switches and adapta-
tions for control of toys, provides how-to Hammacher Schlemmer
books for toy adaptation 147 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10012
Computers for the Physically Handicapped Distribute remote control on/off for appli-
7602 Talbert Ave , Unit 4 ance control, other devices and gadgets tar-
Huntington Beach, CA 92647 geted to the general consumer
(714) 848-1122
Design, manufacture, and distribute controls Hammatt and Sons
for access to compu'ers, environmental con- 1721 Scuth 2nd Street
trol, and communication systems Mt Vernon, WA 98273-5299
Distribute gadgets and devices of general and
Contemporary Artistic Tech consumer Interest, some of which are of in-
Station L terest to the rehabilitation market (i
P O. Box 58430 small headset microphone)
Vancouver, BC V6P RK2 Canada
(604) 324-8119
Distribiee controls, switches, expanded key-
board systems, communication systems, elec-

198 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 198


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AMC KTNSORY AIDS

Neil Henson Company Pres Air Trol Corp


P 0 Box 132 895 Mamaroneck Avenue
Jackson, MO 63755 Mamaroneck. NY 10543
Cligtrabutp ganertii cnnsu- wr devices and (914) 69R-9131
gadgets, some of which are of interest to the Distribute switcnes pneumatic, pendant.
rehabilitation area, e g, appliance on/off soft huttor sh button, handle grip, foot
controls). pedal, rer. control

KY Enterprises Quadra Productions, Inc


3039 East Second Street 13 East 3fi Su/let
Long Beach, CA 90803 Nei vork, NI' 10003
(213) 433-5244 (2121 673-7810
Design and manufacture controls for Atari Design, manufacture and distribute control
electronic games systems switches for use with their emergency call
systems
Linemaster Switch Corporation
3odr,tock, CT 06281 R/M Systems, Inc
(k03) 974-1000 22903 Fern Avenue
Distribute general market control switches, Torrance, CA 90505
many of vmich are of interest to the rehabi- (213) 534-1880
litation area Design, manufacture and distribute control
switches and computer access systems
MED, Inc
1701 South First Avenue SciTronics, Inc
Maywood, IL 60513 523 S Clewell Street
(312) 681-2828 Bethlehem, PA 18015
Design and/or distribute, through affiliated (215) 868-7220
vendors, durable medical good.;, therapy Distribute encoding control switches for
equipment, self- help devices, and technical their communication and environmental control
aids, including wheelchair and environmental systems
control systems
Simon Associates
Ontario Crippled Children's Centre 1019 Trillium LA'Ic
350 Rumsey Road Mill Valley, CA 94941
Toronto, Ontario M4G 1K8 Canada (415) 381-0835
(118) 425-6220 Distribute Audiolite, a sound -activated light
Design, manufacture and distribute various switch
aids to th., disabled, including switches for
wheelchair control and 3lissymbol communica- Tapeswitch of America
tion -cards 100 Schmitt Blvd
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Phonic Ear/Phonic Mirror, Inc (516) 694-6312
250 Camino Alto Distribute tape and leaf switches for touch
Mill Valley, CA 94941 or foot control
(415) 383-4000
Design and manufacture augmentative and TASH,
trah'iing aids for the hearing impaired and c/o Sunnybrook Medical 'entre
communication impaired Distribute switches Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
Posnum, Inc (USA) (416) 486-3568
c/o International Hospital Products Develop and distribute switches and systems
82 Birch Avenue (either simple or sophisticated) for communi-
L:ttle Silver, NJ C7739 cation, typing, and compuer access
(201) 842-1246
Develop and distribute technical aids to the Technical Aids to Independence, Inc
disabled, including typing systems (with or 'e Road
without word processing capability), environ- 3loomrield, NJ 07003
mental control systems, and teaching (201' 18-882b
machines -ibute remote control, pneumatic, touch
and cushion systems for use with their tele-
Prentke Romich Company phone and environmental control systems
8769 Township Road 513
Shreve, OH 44676-9421 Tellagraphics
(216) 567-2907 401-DN Interurban St
Design, manufacture and/or distribute Richardson, TX 75080
switches and technical aids for communica- (214) 238-9297
f an, environmental 'entrol, computer access Distribute foot, lever and position control
switches, for use with their communication
systems and adapted toys

199 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 199


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Trujillo Industries
5040 Firestone Boulevard
South Gate CA 90280
(213) 564-; 943
Distribute body contact switches Also,
devices and systems related to mobility aids
and vehicles

Universal Controls Corp


108E9 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(413) 208-4509
Distribute control switches, remote controls
for appliances

Zygo Industries, Inc


P 0 Box 1008
Portland, OR 97207-1008
(503) 297-1724
Design and/or distribute switches and systems
for wheelchair control, communication, com-
puter access, and toys Also modify, for the
use of the disabled, devices designed for the
general consumer market

0
.4.... j
200 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPEMIDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RE:SNA 1984 200
CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

ALTERNATIVES TO PURCHASING SPECIAL CONTROLS: DO-IT-YOURSELF

There arc alternatives to purchas.ng special con Meanly Aids fu' Disabled Living. by Stuart
trols Be creative in shopping' Look for regular Grainger Accent Special Publications, Box 700,
mass market products, especially electronic games Bloomington, IL, 1931 88 pages
and convenience appliances
Rehabilitation Engineering Sourcebook Institute
You can also make adapted controls These publi- for Information Studies, 200 Little Falls Street,
cations have instructions for do-it-yourself pro- Suite 104, Falls Church, VA 22046, 1979
jects Most of them assume that you will not have
much previous experience with control fabrication Telephone Accessories You Can Build by Jules H
Gilder Hayden Book Company, Inc, Rochelle Park,
NY, 1976 84 pages $6 50
Guidelines for Adapting Battery Operated Toys,
revised 1982, by Jayne Higgins California Avenue "Therapeutic Devices 1956-1976," by J Bellman, et
School, Jayne Higgins, Speech Pathologist, 214 W al, American Journal of Occupational therapy
California Avenue, Vista, CA 92083. $3 00 This American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc,
25-pago booklet includes procedures and materials 6000 Executive Blvd, Rockville, MD 20852, 1977
for making a pillow switch, touch panel switch, 112 pages Do-it-yourself instructions for de-
and on-off switch Toy to in-line jack procedures vices which have appeared in AJOT, includes wheel-
are also given which permits easy and immediate chair trays, ADL devices, communication aids, etc
interchange of information on common pitfalls and
problems Information on where to obtain Toy Adaptation, by Chris Wethered Canadian Asso-
materials and toys through nation wide stores is ciation of Toy Libraries, 60n Quebec Avenue, Suite
included e Sears catalog, Radio Shack cata- 1207, Toronto, Ontario M6P 4B4, Canada, June 1979
log) All switches are relatively inexpensive to 14 pages Basic information needed to adapt
make ($2 00-$5 00) battery-operated toys for activation by disabled
children
Helping the Handicapped A Guide to Aids Deve-
loped by the Telephone Pioneers of America Call Toy Modification Note Build it Youself Battery
the Telephone Company Headquarters in your city Interrupter, by Gregg Vandertraiden Trace Center,
and ask for the local chapter of the Telephone University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 13 pages
Pioneers of America Though many of the devices
are for the communication impaired, there are Wobble Switch Toy Control Switch A Do-It-Your-
sections on mobility aids, ADL equipment, and self Guide, by Ben Brown TRACE Center, Univer-
toys sity of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 1980 3 pages
Homemade Battery Powered Toys and Educational Local Radio Shack Stores are convenient places to
Devices for Severely Handicapped Children, second buy electrical sup 9S Electronics stores also
edition, by Linda Burkhart, 8315 Potomac Avenue, sell these parts, ti, are listed in the yellow
College Park, MD 20740, 1982 50 pages $5 00 pages under "Electronic Equipment and Supplies"
plus $1 00 postage and handling This book gives
simple directions for constructing toys and
switches that can be easily operated by seveely
and profoJndly handicapped children No special
skills are needed to make them All supplies can
be found around the the house or purchased inex-
pensively at local stores One example is a head
control ',witch The materials cost about $2 50
and takes about half an hour to construct The
switch is attached to the child's head with a
barrette and plugged into a toy or tape recorder
When the child lifts his or her head, the music or
toy turns on, thus giving the child a reason to
lift their head

"Instructions for Constructing a Large Area Flap


Switch (LAFS) to Allow Disabled Children to Con-
trol Battery Operated Toys," by G Fraser Shein
Biofeedback Research Project, Rehabilitation Engi-
neering Department, Ontario Crippled Children's
Centre, 350 Ramsey Road, Toronto, Ontario M4C 1R8,
Canada, November, 1980

More Homemade Battery Devices for Severely_Handi-


capped Children with Suggested Activities, by
Linda Burkhart, 8315 Potomac Avenue, College Park,
MD 20740, 1982. $12.50. Continuation of the
first book Includes a section on suggested acti-
vities for incorporating these devices into the
child's program

201 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 201


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS

The following organizations are currently dein Ontario Crippled Children Centre
research in the area or control Rehabilitation Engineering Dept
350 Rumsey Road
Artificial Language Laboratory Toronto, Ontario MTG 1R8
Department of Computer Science Canada
Michigan State University (416) 425-6220
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 353-6622 Palo Alto Veterans Administration
Contact John Eulenberg Medical Center
Reh,,bilitati(m Eng :near.ng R&D Service
Assistive Device Center 3801 Miranda, Bldg 51
California State University, Sacramento Palo Alto, CA 94304
6000 "J" Street (415) 493-5000
Sacramento, CA 95814 Contact David Jaffe
(916) 454-5422
The Trace Center
Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation University of Wisconsin
of Kansas, Inc 1500 Highland Avenue
Rehabilitation Engineering Center 314 Weisman Center
P 0 Box 8217 Madison, WI 53706
2021 N Old Manor (608) 262-6596
Wichita, KS 67208
(316) 688-1881 Tufts New England Medical Center
Rehabilitation Fngineering Center
Children's Hospital at Stanford 171 Harrison Avenue
Rehabilitation Engineering Center P 0 Box 1014
520 Willow Road Boston, MA 02111
Palo Alto, CA 94304 (617) 956-5625
(415) 327-4800, ext 345
University of Tennessee
Children's Hospital Medical Center Rehabilitation Engineering Center
Rehabilitation Engineering .;enter 682 Court Avenue
300 Longwood Aver,ue Memphis, TN 38163
Boston, MA 02115 (901) 528-6445
(617) 735-6594
University of Virginia
Institute of Rehabilitation biledictne Rehabilitation Engineering Center
Rehabilitation Engineering Center P 0 Box 3363, University Station
New York University Medical Center Charlottesville, VA 22903
400 East 34th Sheet (804) 977-6730
New York, NY 10016
1212) 340-6042
Contact Myron Yo, -fin "r;,e following commercial manufact:rers are also
doing focused research in the area of control
Massachusetts Institute of Technology They can also develop or adapt special one-of-a-
Rehabil,'ation Engineering Center Kind controls
Building 31, Room 63
Cambridge, MA 02139 11J-11 Control Systems Group, Inc
(617) 253-5333 8769 Township Road 513
Contact Michael Rosen Shreve, OH 44676
(216) 597-2906
Moss Rehabilitation Hospital
Rehabilitation Engineering Center Prentke Romich Company
12th Street and Tabor Road 8769 Twp Road 13
Philadelphia, PA 19141 Shreve, OH 44676
(215) 329-5715 (216) 567 ''906
Contact: Serge Minassian
Zygo Industries, Inc
Northwestern University P 0 Box 1008
Rehabilitation Engineering Center Portland, OR 47207
345 East Superior St , Room 1441 (5031 297-1724
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 649-8560
Contact. Dudley Childress

00
4 . .-,,,
202 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 202
CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

COMMUNICATION

This response to a commonly asked question was conversation and interaction (since a second per-
written by the Trace Center, although focused on a son is there by definition in conversation), these
child, It is also relevant for adults who need aids can be very important for providing the indi-
communication assistance It is particularly vidual with a means of doing independent work and
interesting for its inclusion of WRITING as a writing
communication technique, an area is far too fre-
quently overlooked (editor) Writing

"The second area of need is writing Essential to


II I HAVE A SEVERELY PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED any educational process IS the ability to write
SON/DAUGHTER, WHAT )(IND OF COMMUNICATION and do independent work, take notes, do homework,
TECHNIQUES ARE AVAILABLE? and complete assignments We would not think of
sending a normal individual to school without
"In answering this question, you should be aware pencil and paper, nor would we allow him/her to go
that there are two basic areas with which your to school without doing the homework and assign-
child may need help 1) Conversation /interaction, ments It would be very difficult if not impos-
and 2) Writing. sible for him/her to receive a full and adequate
education For those individuals who have the
Communication ability to recognize words ana learn to spell,
some type of writing sys _ n will be needed
"The communication need that we think of first is
conversation /interaction A basic problem is that "When choosing a communication aid, it should be
many individuals e:e not able to use speech for remembered that the need for aids stems from their
communication and interaction As a result, we ability to be used independently The primary
need to look toward some augmentative or supple- need for this independence is in messaging and
mental technique to help him/her with communica- writing For conversation, the fundamental and
tion In some cases, they may not be able to unaided techniques are usually faster and more
speak, but may be able to communicate regarding flexible When looking at independent aids, the
some topics in some environments with some people writing needs must be considered very carefully,
at some times. However, unless the person is able and should weigh heaves, 1 the selection process
to communicate and be understood at all times,
some type of supplemental technique is Indicated
Rate
in general, an augmentative aid is necessary
unless the individual can communicate about all "A key factor that you will want to look for with
topics with all people The augmentative aid conversant:on or writing systems is the rate of
would not replace his/her residual speech, but communication MC various techniques (whether
would simply back it up When the Individual aided or unaided) each require different abilities
could speak, he/she would use that mode (or any from the h.odicapped user, and have different
other mode that was most efficient) When he/she efficiencies or speed factors Some techniques
was unable to communicate thrc,ugh his/her other can be used by only a small portion of the handi-
means, he/she would turn to the back-up or augmen- capped population, but are faster Other tech-
tative system to communicate niques can be used by anyone but are generally
slow (for example, scanning techniques) Thus the
"There is a wide variety of specific techniques problem is not finding a technique which an indi-
which can be used for communication All of these vidual can use, but rather finding the technique
techniques can be implemented in one form or which will allow a given individual to communicate
another without the use of electronic aids most rabidly It is not uncommon for different
Pointing to worts or symbols on a communication techniques to van/ in their communication rates by
board is one example There are also techniques a factor as great as ten to one Thus, what would
which can be used by an individual who is so take a minute to communicate using one aid might
severely involved that he/she os barely able to take ten minutes on another, and what would take
move an eye on one direction, and has no other five minutes on one aid might take almost an hour
volitional body movements at all These tech- on another Since there are many specific tech-
niques, all of which can be implemented without niques and aids as well as variations on their
any technology, can provide even the most severely application, it is not a simple task to find the
physically involved individual with a mechanism best aid for a given individi..al For this reason,
for communicating For individuals who can spell, it is usually best to involve someone with special
the techniques can allow the individual to spell training and an in-depth knowledge of all of the
out exact messages, to write letters, etc These various techniques and approaches, especially the
unaided techniques, however, require the presence newer ones, when making a selection for a more
of a second person to interpret signals expensive aid

"Communication aids are also available These "This problem is compounded by the fact that there
aids are essentially automated versions of the are many therapy and tramina technique., which can
fundamental (non-technical) techniques described greatly enhance the physical abilities which a
above The primary advantage of aids is that they given child (or adult) is able to exhibit Some-
allow the individual to be able to assemble mes- one familiar with and trained in these specific
sages independently. While not as essential for 2itilitigies may well be able to mterface a child
-e0
203 TECHNO: 'ICY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1111114 203
CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

to a r ich faster aid than a person less familiar Orthopedic, and Related Research) (15 pgs) A
with tnese strategies Because the field is so summary/overview presentation of 5augmentative
new, there is a severe shortage of these specially modes of communication for severely physically
trained individua.;s at the present time Efforts involved individuals This was prepared as an
are being made to document these specific strate- introduction for individuals not familiar with the
gies and to make them available to individuals field but interested in a short overview of '
through special training materials and programs Issues This paper includes SELECTING API-A0PRIATE
COMMUNICATION AND CONTROL AIDS A PARALLEL PRO-
Information Sources FILE APPROACH

"In the meantime, you may want to invest some time Initiating Communication Systems for Severely
learning about the various techniques and ap- Speech-Impaired Persons L Bottorf and 0
proaches yourself This will assist you in your De Pape. Published in Topics in Language Disor-
interactions with professional teams The. first ders, March, 1982. (16 pgs) Describes the goals
recommendation is that you subscribe to Communica- of an effective augmentative communication program
tion Outlook. This very application-oriented facilitating interaction between nonspeaking
newsletter gives you a window on all of the latest clients and their environments Diagnostic inter-
developments in this field Thi includes inform- vention techniques, assessment of present strate-
ation on new aids as well as new bookq and publi- gies, and standardized assessment tools are
cations which come out in this area In addition discussed
to subscribing to the newsletter, you may want to
also get copies of the back issues, since there Non-Vocal Communication Techniques and Aids for
are many things which have already occurred about the Severely Physically Handicapped Edited by
which you may want to be aware, but which would G C. Vanderheiden and K. Grilley Based upon
otherwise be very difficult to find transcriptions of the 1975 Trace Center National
Workshop Series on Non-Vocal Communication Tech-
"For general introduction information on the niques and Aids Designed for clinicians and
various techniques, you might look at Non-Vocal teachers, this book forms an introductory text and
Communication Techniques and Aids for the Severely sourcebook summarizing information on non-vocal
Physically Handicapped, by Vanderheiden and communication aids and techniques that have been
Gt.' Iley, and/or several chapters in Non Speech developed and applied around the world
Language Intervention Strategies by Richard
Schiefelbusch Both of these books contain over- The Rehabilitation Aids Resource Book Telecommu-
views of the basic approaches as well as specific nication, Monitoring, and Environmental Control
information on symbol systems and the design of Currently being prepared by the Trace Center, 314
fundamental communication boards. For a listing Weisman Center, University of Wisconsin, 1500
of all of the existing commercially available Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
aids, the most comprehensive source available is
the Non-Vo al Communication Resource Book This
is a three-ring binder which contains a two-page These publications, and a lost of other Trace
description, including photograph, of each of the publications, can be obtained from the Trace
aids which is available in this area. There is Center Reprint Service, Weisman Center, 1500 High-
also an Update Subscription Service for the book, land Avenue, Madison WI 53705, 608/262-6966.
which prepares and sends out new entries so that
you can be apprised of all of ine latest develop- Writing & Typing
ments. (Also see The Comparative Chart of Com-
mercially Available Communication Aids, available Aids for Handicapped Learners Reference and
from Prentke Romich Company, 8769 Township Roac Information Section, Division for the Blind and
513, Shreve OH 446761" Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress,
Washington DC 20542. Devices and techniques for
hanciing books, writing, and typing. Free
PUBLICATIONS RELA.,(ED TO COMMUNICATION
AVAILABLE FROM THE TRACE CENTER IBM's Handicapped Purchasing Program offers re-
built, used typewriters at a low price to indivi-
1983 Revised Non-Vocal Communication Resource duals having a letter from their doctor indicating
Book. G. C Vanderheiden, L Krause, 1983 they are disabled and would receive therapeutic
This resource book provides a two-page description benefit from a typewriter Call your local IBM or
(including picture) of over 90 commercially avail- write to IBM, 10100 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite
able t: Kis for non-vocal communication Revised in 2100, Los Angeles, CA 90067, attn Dave Kelley
1983 to include all of the entries which have been
added in the three sets of updates since original "Wm-Conversational Communication Technology Needs
publication. 3-hole punched and bound in a 3-ring of Individuals with Handicaps G Vanderheiden
plastic binder NOTE. If you have the original Rehabilitation World, Vol 7, No 2, Summer 1983
book AND ALL THE UPDATES, you will not want to 6 60 Six basic areas of concern are described as
order this book, since it does not contain encompassing the full spectrum of communication
additional information Updates are made available needs for the severely physically handicapped
periodically to keep the Resource Book current person A review of current technology available
to meet address these needs, and a vision of
AUGMENTATIVE MODES OF COMMUNICATION FOR THE future developments, is presented
SEVERELY SPEECH A90 MOTOR IMPAIRED G C
Vanderheiden, 1979 (Prepared for Congenital Mal-
formation Its Clinical Managements: Clinical, A.. x

204 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 204


CONTROL. COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AUGMENTATIVE AND GUIDES TO COMMUNICATION AIDS


ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION (ISAAC)
Communication Enhancement Bibliography, compilzd
by Donald Rabush, Coordinator of Special Education
ISAAC is a new organization 'formed in May, 1983) at Western Maryland College, Lyle Lloyd, Professor
bringing a unique focus to the field of augmenta- and Chairman of Special Education at Purdue Uni-
tive and alternative communication Through its versity, and Michael Gerdes, undergraduate
publications, conferences, and scientific meet- Research Assistant at Purdue University, 1982
ings, ISAAC will keep its members abreast of the 758 entries, annotated $10 00-$23 00 Available
latest developments in the field in computer diskette form for the Apple II or TRS-
80 Model III microcomputers Readers of Communi-
ISAAC is the only organization whose sole focus is cation Outlook can obtain bound print copies of
the advancement of the transdisciplinary field of the bibliography for $15 Communication Outlook
Augmentative and Alternative Communication tech- will publish yearly updates of the bibliography at
niques end aids ISAAC will facilitate an ex- an additional cost. Availability of these inserts
change of information and focus attention upon the will be announced in each Fall issue
work being done to help people with communication
difficulties throughout the world. All recent papers, books, proceedings, etc, con-
cerned with communication enhancement will be
ISAAC's membership is international, an includes included in the updates If you know of any
all tnose interested in augmentative communica- publications which should be included, please send
tion: users and potential users of communication the publication or a complete citation of it to
systems and devices; professionals from the field Communication Outlook
of speech pathology, education, occupational and
physical therapy, social work, linguistics, engi- Address all orders, additions and corrections to
neering, computer science, medicine, psychology Communication OL.tlook, Artificial Language Labora-
and others; family, friends, and community members tory, Computer Science Deparsment, Michigan State
wishing to support the communication of those University, East Lansing, Mi 48824-1042
using augmentative and alternative communication
systems and devices The ISAAC membership chair- Comparative Chart of Commercially Available Commu-
person is Susan Sansone, do NY State Association nication Aids is presently available from Prentke
for the Help of Retarded Children, 2900 Veterans' Romich Company (PRC) The chart was developed by
Memorial Highway, Bohemia, NY 11716 Contact Arlene Kraat and Marsha Sitver of the Augmentative
Tamara Redburn, Secretary/Treasurer, at the Arti- Communication Program, Queens College, Flushing,
ficial Language Laboratory, Computer Science NY, and funded by PRC
Department, Michigan State University, East
Lansing, MI 48824, for information on membership The chart features communication aids currently
outside North America All members of ISAAC available and distributed in the U S Aids are
receive a one-year subscription to Communication divided on the chart into portable and non-
Outlook, which is the official ISAAC newsletter portable, and further into categories of scan,
Members will also be entitled to a special reduced direct selection, and scan/direct selection
subscription rate of $10 to Communicating Features of the aids are classified by selection
Together, a quarterly publication of the Blissym- technique, language content, standard communica-
bolics Communication Institute (BCI). tion outputs, optional outputs available, power
used, weight and size, rental possibilities and
ISAAC will produce several publications. a regis- price range Many of the devices are pictures,
try of ISAAC members and others concerned about or and all of the manufacturers' addresses are
working in the area of augmentative and alterna- listed A glossary of terms is included at the
tive communication; a quarterly journal, Augmenta- bottom of the chart
tive and Alternative Communication, D. Yoder,
editor, Williams & Wilkins, publishers (first Single copies of the chart are available at no
issue January 1985); and proceedings of the bi- cost from PRC Multiple copies are available at a
annual conference. cost of $1 each for printing, postage and
handling. For further information, contact
An international conference will be held every two Prentke Romich Company, 8769 Township Road
years. The first conference will be held October 513, Shreve, OH 44676
18-20, 1984, at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The 1986
conference will be held in the United Kingdom
Other conferences, institutes, and workshops will
be scheduled in the future. Further information
will appear in future issues of Communication
Outlook.

Also see Confer in INFORMATION RESOURCES, p. 14

205 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 205


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

in the past 10 years, there has been a virtual Intervention Language Intervention Series
explosion of information and equipment available Volume IV Richard Schiefelbusch, Editor Uni-
for the development of nonverbal communication versity Park Press, 233 East Redwood Street,
systems for severely disabled individuals The Baltimore, MD 529 pages 1980 This book
field has grown from an isolated specialty area of examines a wide range of issues relating to
several disciplines into an integral multidisci- language and communication to find viable alterna-
plinary component of rehabilitation programs tives for children who cannot speak It takes a
Fortunately, several excellent texts on nonverbal broad look at communication functions and presents
system selection and implementation have been models and strategies for developing alternatives
recently published e g, Silverman (1980) and for impaired individuals
Musselwhite and St Louis (1982) In addition,
Communication Outlook, a publication focusing on Making the important point that communication
communication aids and techniques, has become an without speech is better than no communication at
effective vehicle for updating the rapid advance all, the chapter authors discuss the design of
of technology in this area" James Heller, Rehab other ways that will enable children to enjoy the
Literature, November, 1983, p 364 benefits of communication, enhance cognitive deve-
lopment, extend social participation, and streng-
then their eventual economic well-being
Books
For some individuals, an alternative symbol system
Communication for the Speechless F H Silverman will facilitate the attainment of far more complex
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Prentice-Hall, 1980 and more standard forms of communication,
including speech rot others, the alternative
Communication Programming for the Severely Handi- mode will provide a way into a subculture, into a
capped Vocal and Non-Voca! Strate_gies C P. learning environment, into human fellowship, or
Musselwhite and K.W St Louis College Hill, San into a new world of human dignity It offers
Diego, CA, 1982 specialists n communication a deeper under-
standing of symbolic processing, as well as speci-
Communication Systems for Severely Handicapped fic reviews of research into nonspeech communi-
Persons Brenda C Fairweather, Donna H Haun, cation
and Louis J Finkie Charles C Thomas, Spring-
field, IL 102 pp, figures 1982 Fair- The book is based on invited papers given at The
weather, Haun and Finkle present a his torically Nonspeech Language Conference held at Gulf Shor,s,
incomplete approach to non-verbal commu nication Alabama, in March, 1977, and is considered by many
system selection Although their description of to be a classic in the field
switches is clear and relatively current, their
evaluation of technical systems has already been See also Publications Aval:able from the Trace
dated by the rapid advance of techno logy This Center on page 204
text is best utilized as one of many resources for
nonverbal system selection" (James H Heller,
Rehabilitation Literature, November- December Periodicals
1983, Vol 44, No 11-12)
Communication Outlook Artificial Language Lab-
Directory of Telecommunication Aids for Disabled oratory, Computer Science Department, Michigan
People Prepared by Bell Canada. on behalf of the State University, East Lensing, MI 48824 Sub-
Canadian Telecommunication Carriers Assn, Ottawa, scriptions $10 00 ($12 00 outside North Amer cal
Ontario, Canada This directory of telecommunica- for whole volumes (4 issues), $3 00 for singly
tion aids is intended to be a quick reference for copies Communication Outlook is a quarterly
people who are concerned with the telecommunica- newsletter addressed to the community of indivi-
tions of hard-of-hearing, deaf, speech impaired, duals interested in the application of technology
visually-impaired and motion handicapped people to the needs of persons who experience communica-
An attempt has been made to compile the informa- tion handicaps due to neurological or neuromus-
tion which is availabio for various sources both cular conditions, edited and published Jointly by
in North America and abroad the Artificial Language Laboratory, Michigan State
University, and the Trace Center for the Severely
The devices are categorized by the function which Communicatively Handicapped, University of
they perform in relation to telecommunications, Wisconsin It is the principal publication cf the
especially with reference to the telephone Each International Society for Augmentative and Al-
aid is described briefly Its manufacturer, dis- ternative Communication (ISAAC)
tributor or contact is listed, and its approximate
price, when available, is recorded Research Medical World News The Newsmagazine of Medicine,
which is known to be currently underway for deve- Vol 23, No 13, June 21, 1982 211 E 43 Street,
loping more aids related to these functions is New York, NY 10017 This issue carried twit_
also briefly outlined Following this list of articles on technology for rehabilitation, "For
aids and research, some existing services relating the Disabled New Voices, New Freedom," and "Com-
to telecommunications for disabled people are puters May Let Two Quadriplegics Walk in This
discussed. Summer's Sunshine"

Non Speech Language and Communication Analysis and 90


206 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCE1100K RESNA 1994 206
CONTROL. COVVUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Rehabilitation World, Summer, 1983 Availatte Language Center in East Lansing, MI Under the
from Rehabilitation International USA 1123 Broad- supervision of the Center's Director, John
way, New York, NY 10010,212/620-4040 This Eulanbarg, appropriate technology for Mr Boyaeii
issue devoted to commt.nication aids for people and others is devices Second prize, 1982 Inter-
with speech impairments. In th ; special Issue, national Rehabilitation Film Festival in Technical
experts in a number of communication-related areas Aids
probe new technological possibilities, from key-
board-operated speaking systems to simple micro- Nonspeech Communication Augmentative Systems
phones. Many of the articles are supplemented Videotape, color, 330 minutes 1981 Presented
with photographs and other illustrations, and even by Macalyne Fristoe and Lyle L Lloyd, Purdue
some of the technically oriented advertisements University Produced and distributed by Purdue
may he found informative. University, Continuing Education Business, Rm 110
Stewart Center, Parole University, West Lafayette.
Articles include the following "Communication IN 47907 Presems information concerning the
Disabilities -- An Overview," Bruce Baker, pp 3- use of maaual signs and gestures, graphic repre-
7, "Non-Conversational Communication Technology sentations such as Rebuses, Blissymbols, and com-
Needs of Physically Handicapped Individuals," munication prostheses, ranging from picture arra
Gregg Vanderheiden, pp 8-13, "Impressions of to sophisticated electronic devices
Eulenberg," John F Moses, pp 14-19, "Unspoken
Barriers," Jeffrey J Moyer, pp 20-22, "Aids to To Say I Am' KOCE-TV, California Distributed
Communication A British Perspective," Robert by Lawren Productions, Inc, 12121 Pinewood Drive,
Fawcus, pp. 23-25; "V ,:lomacy's End," Michael B PO Rox 666, Merdocmo, CA 95460 Severely handi-
Williams, p. 26; "Communication for Access," Lucy capped children who are also without speech are
C. Spruill, p. 27, "Communication Outlook," Tamara shown using an array of electronic and mechanical
Redburn, pp. 28-31, "A Personal View," William L communication devices which erable them to learn
Rush, pp. 32-39; "Nonspeech Communication A Posi- and "talk" with friends
tion Statement, from the American Speech-Language-
Hearing Association," pp 40-43, "Talking Com-
puters Enhance Careers of Blind People," John M
Williams, pp 53-56

Seminars in Speech and Language, Volume 5, Number


1, February, 1984 Augmenting Language Skills
with Microcomputers Laura F Meyers, Ph D,
Guest Editor Available from Thieme-Stratton,
Inc., 381 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
Articles includes- "Computer Enhancement of Mes-
sage Formulation and Presentation for Communica-
tion Augmentation System Users," David R
Bsukelman, Ph D., and Kathryn M Yorkston, Ph D;
"Using Microcomputers in the Diagnosis and Tree--
ment of Chronic Aphasic Adults," Richard C Katz,
Ph D, "Unique Contributions of Microcomputers to
Language Intervention with Handicapped Children:.
Laura F. Meyers, Ph.D, "An Environmental Approach
to Delivery of Microprocessor-Based and Other
Communication Systems," Jane Mills, MA CCC. and
Jayne Higgins, MA, "Fostering Progress in Literacy
Devi. ;pment Technology and Social Interaction,"
Teresa J. Rosegrant, Ph D., "Technology Needs of
Individuals with Communication Impairments,' Gregg
C Vanderheiden

Audiovisuals

Breaking Through the Wall Gordon News Film


Available from HC Electronics Inc, 250 Camino
Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941. 16rnm, color, 14
minutes 1979. Shows the application of the
Phonic Mirror Handi- voice, a synthetic speech
output communication aid for those without speech,
g people with severe cerebral palsy

Finding a Voice Martin Freeth, WGBH-Boston


Available from Time-Life Video, 100 Eisenhower
Drive, Paramus, NJ 07652 3/4" videocassette,
color, 60 minutes. 1982 A WGBH-Boston/NOVA
piogram about the development of electronic aids
for the communications-impaired population Con-
centrates on the visit of an Englishman with
cerebral palsy, Dick Boydell, to the Artificial

207 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1984 207


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

SERVICE CENTERS

These are some agencies that can provide assess- Northridge Hospital Medical Center
ment and other services in the area of communi- Innovative Communication Aids for
cation and control for people with physical the Non Verbal (ICAN)
disabilities No endorsements are implied by 183200 Rosco Blvd
inclusion on this list If you have information Northridge, CA 91328
to add to, change, or delete from this list, Contact Gail L Pickering
please send it to the RESNA Sourcebook editor Program Coordinator

Rancho Los Amigos Hospital


California Communication Disorders Department
7601 as imperial Highway, Bldg 900
Assistive Device Center Downey, CA 90242
Calif State University Sacramento (213) 922-7682
6000 "J" Street Contact Frank DeRuyder, PhD, Director
Sacramento, CA 95819 Adult Eva Contact Diane Banger
(916) 454-6601 Ped Eval. Contact. Linda Lafontaine
Contact- Colette Coleman, PhD, Director

Blissymbolics Resource Center Florida


Dept of Speech and Language Development
Loma Linda University Medical Center The Communication Systems
Loma Linda, CA 92354 Evaluation Center
(714) 824-4401 1600 Silver Star Roadd
Contact Melvin S Cohen, PhD, Director Orlando, FL 32804
(305) 293-0473 or 291-7469
Children's Hospital and Health Center Contact Patty Smith, CSEC Coordinator
Speech, Hearing and Neurosensory Center
Speech-Language Pathology Department Blissymbolics Resource Center
300i Frost Street Forrest Park School
San Diego, CA 92123 1600 Silver Star Road
(619) 292-3482 Orlando, FL 32804
Contact Chris Hagen, PhD, Director (305) 293-5841
Contact Sandra Osborn, Principal
Children's Hospital at Stanford (Blissymbols Teacher)
Rehabilitation Engineering Center
520 Willow Road Illinois
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(415) 327-4800, ext 345 Alan J Brown Center for Alternative Communication
and Environmental Control
Daniel Fr nan Hospital Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Communic on Disorders Department 345 East Superior Street
333 14 Prairie Avenue Chicago, IL 60611
Inglewood, CA 90301 (312) 649-8560
(213) 674-7050, ext 3328 Contact Ken Kozo le
Contact Jane Bensussen, Director

Friends of Handicapped Children Indiana


UCLA Foundation
23-10 Rehabilitation Center Ft Wayne State Hospital & Training Center
1000 Veteran Avenue 4900 St Joe Read
Los Angeles, CA 90024 Ft Wa,ne, IN 46815
213/825-4821

Glendale Adventist Hospital Kansas


Non-Speech Communication Program
1509 Wilson Terrace Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation
Glendale, CA 91026 of Kansas, Inc
(213) 240-8000, ext 416 Post Office Box 8217
Contact Beth Nolo, Director 2021 Old Manor
Wichita, KS 67208
Non-Verbal Communication Center (316) 688-1881
Los Angeles Unified School District
c/o Widney High School
2302 S. Gramercy Place
Los Angeles, CA 90018
(213) 732-1976
Contact. Mary Knerl, Teacher Advisor
42 i--)

208 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEROOK RESNA 1964 208


CONTROL. COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Maryland Minnesota

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Cambridoe Area Develnomentxl


Maryland Rehabilitation and Education (CADRE)
Non-Vocal Communications Aid Equipment 430 1Y W 8th Street
Delrey Preschool Cambridge, MN 55008
18 Delrey Avenue (612) 689-4466 (after- -Ions)
Catonsville, MD 21228 Contact Mary Rupre
(301) 744-3151
Contact Noreen Rysticken Courage Center
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55422
Massachusetts :Al2) 588-0811

Massachusetts Hospital School


Adaptive Equipment New Jersey
Canton, MA
(617) 828-2440 Cerebral Palsy Association of
Contact Carol Sargent, OTR Middlesex County
Roosevelt Park, Oak Drive
Children's Hospital Medical Center Edison, NJ 08817
Communication Enhancement Clinic Contact Ms Travis M Tallman, CCC-SP
300 Longwood Avenue Director, Speech Pathology
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 735-6000 Communication Technology Center
Contact Howard C Shane, PhD P 0 Box 4111
Atlantic City, NJ 08404
Tufts-New England Medical Center (609) 345-5191
Special Equipment Clinic Contact Joan Bruno, MS, CCC
171 Harrison Avenue Chief Speech Pathologist
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 956-5622
Contact Dr Bruce Gans New York

The Burke Rehabilitation Center


Michigan 785 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Communication Enhancement Center
Learning Assessment Clinic Cerebral Palsy Center
Oakland Schools Scheier Communication Unit
2100 Pontiac Lake Road 1603 Court Street
Pontiac, MI 48054 Syracuse, NY
Contact Nathaniel Peters, Director Contact Carol Cohen, Director
(313) 858 -t943 (315) 455-5726
Ina Kirsten, Clinician
(313) 858-1901
Ohio
Communication Enhancement Program
Jackson County Intermediate School Dist Prentke Romich Company
6700 Browns Lake Road 8769 Twp Road 13
P 0 Box 1160 Shreve, OH 44676
Jackson, MI 49204 (216) 567-2906
(517) 767-2800 Contact Susanne Shea ley, OTR
Contact Dianne Taulbee, Supervisor Director, Client Services
Communication Enrichment Resource Center
(CERC) Oregon
Northville Public Schools
405 W Main Street Good Samaritan Hospital
Northville, MI 48167 Port lan OR
Contact Mark Miko, Program Admin
(313) 349-3490, ext 277
Contact John Smallwood, Classroom Eng Tennessee
(313) 349-6210, artif fang lab
University of Tennessee
PAM Assistance Center Rehabilitation Engineering Center
110 Marshall Street 682 Court Avenue
P 0 Box 21037 Memphis, TN 38163
Lansing, MI 48090 1901) 528-6445
(517) 371-5897 Contact Elaine Tref ler, OTR
90^

209 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 209


CONTROL. COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Texas

Callier Center for Communication Disorders


1966 Inwood Mad
Dallas, TX 75235
(214) 783-3033
Contact Delva Culp

Education Service Center, Region 20


Augmentative Communication Evaluation
System
1314 Hines Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78208
(512) 828-3551
Contact Patricia Wasson

Washington

University of Washington Hospital


Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
1959 N E Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98199
(206) 543-3674
Contact Dave Beukelman, PhD

Wisconsin

Communications Aids and Systems Clinic


5-120 Weisman Center
1500 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 263-2522

Canada

Augmentative Communication Service


Ontario Crippled Children's Centre
350 Rumsey Road
Toronto, Ontario M4G 1E8
(416) 425-6229
Contact Penny Parnes, Director

The Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foundation


Technical Aids Program
Vancouver, British Columbia
(604) 734-8841

,, )0 0

210 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 210


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

NONSPEECH COMMUNICATION ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS

Arkansas Nebraska

Evelyn G. Albritton Nebraska Advocacy Services


Speech & Hearing Clinic Lincoln Center Building
University of Arkansas at Little Rock 215 Centennial Mall, South
33rd & University Room 422
Little Rock, AR 72204 Lincoln, NE 68508
(501) 569-3155 (402) 474-3183

California New Jersey

Bay Area Non-Oral Communication Group New Jersey Augmentative Communication Task Force
c/o Marywin Deegan c/o Joan Bruno
4802 Lawton Avenue Children's Sb .! shore House
Oakland, CA 94609 4100 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08404
San Diego Non-Oral Advocacy Group 1609) 345-5191
c/o Nany Oro
United Cerebral Palsy center
7947 Birmingham Drive New York
San Diego, CA 92123
(619) 278-5429 Buffalo Augmentative Communication Group
c/o Cheryl Rogers, LSP/Speech Department
Southern California Communication Group United Cerebral Palsy Association
8114 West 83rd Street of Western New York
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293 31 Rosslor Street
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
(716) 89'-1351
Idaho
METRO I CAN
Idaho Nonvocal Group c/o Roslyn Holliday Moore
Susan Lijegreen 116-39 167 Street
Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology Jamaica, NY 11434
Idaho State University
Box 8116 Non-Vocal Communication Group
Pocatello, ID 83209-0009 of Greater New York
(208) 236-3495 19-10 Parsons Boulevard
Whitestone, NY 11357
Contact Arlene Kraat
Massachusetts (212) 520-7358

Northeast Communication El-hancement Group


Box 268 North Carolina
Brookline, MA 02146-0268
Nineveh Murray
Speech/Language programs
Michigan Division for Exceptional Children
State Department of Public Instruction
Michigan Association for Communication Enhancement Raleigh, NC 27611
c/o Ina Kirstein 1919) 733-3004
Learning Assessment Clinic/Communication
Enhancement Center
Oakland Schools Ohio
2100 Pontiac Lake Road
Pontiac, MI 48054 Great Lakes Communication Enhancement Group
(313) 858-1901 Fran Watkins
795 Burnside Drive
Parent Advocacy Group Tipp City, OH 45371
6700 Browns Lake Road
P 0 Box 1160
Jackson, MI 49204 Oregon
Contact: Ldcylee Neiswander-Whiting
Pacific Northwest Non-Vocal Communication Group,
Portland Chapter
P 0 Box 1065
Portland, OR 97207

211 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 211


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Communication Enhancement Group


c/o Marie Capozzie and Jacky Territo
Pioneer School
Dunster and La Moine Streets
Pittsburgh, PA 15226
412/531-0626

Texas

Augmentative Communication Task Force


do Delve Culp, Speech-Language Pathologist
Callan Center for Communication Disorders
1966 Inwood Road
University of Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX 75235
(214) 783-3137

Non-Oral Communication Advocacy Group


4339 El Campo
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Washington

Pacific Northwest Non-Vocal


Communication Group (PNWNVCG)
Louise Gooch, President
10545 Meridian Avenue Northeast
1-302
Seattle, WA 98133

Canada

Blissymbolics Communication Institute


Ontario Crippled Children's Centre
Penny Parnes
350 Rumsey Road
Toronto, Ontario
CANADA M4G 1R8

Communication Awareness & Action


Toronto Region
do Lynette Norris
78 Glentworth Drive
Willowdale, Ontario
CANADA M2J 2E8

Hamilton Wentworth Communication Collective


c/o Barbara Rush
64 Magnolia Drive
Hamilton, Ontario
CANADA L9C 5T2

All groups are urged to add these addresses to


their mailing lists Groups wishing to add,
delete, or change their names or addresse,, should
write to Judy Montgomery, James H Cox School,
17615 Los Jardines East, Fountain Valley, CA
92708 Ms Montgomery writes an ADVOCACY UPDATE
column in Communication Outlook

212 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RUN", 1984


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Sr"lE COMMUNICATION AID MANUFACTURERS

Abbey (aritra! ea, a: N7ieiito; Equipment


8004 Westchester Pike 981 Winnetka Terrace
Upper Darby, PA 19082 Lake Zurich, IL 60047
215/789-5220 112/438-3476

Adaptive Communication Systems, Inc Dufc.o


PO Bus 12440 2410 Broad Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15231 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
412/264-2288 805/541-5022
American Communn.ations Corpora ton Educational Microcomputer Systems
180 Roberts Street 1 Clear Spring
East Hartford, Cr 05108 Irvine, CA 92715
203/289-3491 714/553-0133
C-Phone Executive Distributors of America, Inc
553 Wollner 15055 32 Mile Road
Fenton, MO 63026 Romeo, MI 48065
314/343-5883 313/752-3518
313/237-0554 (Detroit)
Canon, Inc
7-1 Nisni-Shinjuko Foundation for Communication for the Disabled
2 Chome 31 Southampton Row
Shinjuko Date 10, r2'dg London WC19 5HJ
Shinjuko-ku ENGLAND
Tokyo, JAPAN Ph 01-405-1019
also- Canon Gene lex, Inc
c/o Telesensory Systems, Inc 64 Gough Avenue
455 N Bernardo !vyland, PA 18974
Mountain View, CA 94043 215/672-6643
415/960-0920
Handicapped Children's Technological Services
C. ly Heritage School & Hospital Box 64
Rehoollitation Engineering Unit Foster, RI J2825
North Chat ley, Lewes 401/822-4622
East Sussex BN8 4EF
ENGLAND Handicapped Educational Learn.tig P. oducts, Inc
Of,2-572- I 12 P 0 Box 9763
Sacramento, CA 95823
Cleo Living Aids 916/451-9654
3957 Mayfield Road
Clevelt nd, OH 44121 INNOCOMP lnnnvattve Computer Appi,:ations
216/35.:',2-9700 1121 Vegas Court
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Communications Research Corporation 804/924-3781
1720-130th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA 98005 IOR Enterprises
206/881-9550 229 ;1arrison Avenue
Highland Park, NJ 08^(14
Computers for the Physically Hanc capper., Inc '01/846-5200
Department RB
76C2 Talbert 05 Jim's Inv -ument Manufacturing, Inc
Huntington Beach, CA 92647 PO Box 515"
714/848-1122 Coralville, IC 52241
319/351-3429
Cc itemporary Artistic Technology
P 0 Box 58430, Station L Kahistrom, GunnIr
Vancouver, BV V6P 6"<2 Barkspadevagen
604/324. 8119 S-752 47 Uppsala
SWEDEN
Crestwood Company
P 0 Box 045313 Krown Research, In.;
Milwaukee, VIP 53207 6300 Arizona Circle
414/351 -0311 Los Angeles, CA 90045
213/841-4308

213 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984


CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Medelec, Limited SCItrOtilCa


Manor Way 523 S Clewell Street
Old Woking, Surrey GU22 9JU PO Box 5344
ENGLAND Bethlehem, PA 18015
Ph Woking (04862) 70331 215/868-7220

Micro Communication Devices SFERE Projekt B V


12388 Priscilla Lane PO Box 16
Los Altos Hills, CA 9402? 4273 ZG Hank (NB)
415/981-5563 THE NETHERLANDS
Ph 016/22-2958
National Association for the Deaf
814 Thayer Avenue SHARP Electronics Corporation
Silver Spring, MD 20910 Consumer Calculator Division
10 Sharp P d za
Oskar Foundation Paramus, NJ 07652
Halfeiken 11 201/265-5600
3956 VT Leersum
THE NETHERLANDS SI /COMM
Ph 03434-2013 7475 Whitlock Avenue
Playa del Rey, CA 90291
Phonic Ear, Inc 213/823-1202
250 Camino Alto
Mill 1' -'ley, CA 94941 Sontek Medical, Inc
415/ :33 -4000 Sontek Industries, Inc
PO Box 549
Phonic Ear, Limited Lexington, MA 0- 73
7475 Kimbel St Unit #1C 617/863-1410
Mississauga, Ontario L5S 1E7
CANADA Specialized Systems, Inc
415/677-3231 6060 Corte del Cedro
415/677-3035 Carlesbad, CA 92008
619/438-L800
Plantronics, Inc TTY 619/481-6060
345 Encmal Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 TASH, Inc
408/426-5858 2075 Bayview Avenue
TWX 910/598-4415 Toronto, Ontario
Telex 357419 416/486-3569

PMV Systems B V Technical University of Denmark


Post Box 16 Electronics Laboratory
4273 ZG Hank Building 344 DK-2800
THE NETHERLANDS Lyngby, DENMARK
016/27 958 1:0' 45 2 88 15 66

Possum Controls Limited Telegraphics


82 Birch Avenue P 0 Box 1061
Little Silver, NJ 07739 Carrollton, TX 75006
201/842-1246 214/492-1629

Prentke r nich Company Texas Instruments


8769 Township Road 513 Educational Division
Shreve, OH 44676-9146 PO Box 10508
216/567-2906 Lubbock, TX 79408
800/858-1802
J A Preston
60 Page Road Toby Chuichill, Ltd
Clifton, NJ 07012 Designer:. of Equipment for the Disabled
800/631-7277 20 Panton Street
Cambridge CB2 1HP
Rehabilitation Prodt--ts Limited ENGLAND
UK Distributors for ron Bridge Works
Hasketon, Woodbri- Suffolk IP1 6HF Trendcom
ENGLAND 311 Turquoise Street
Grundisburgh (047 335) 475 Milpit CA 95035
408/943-1970
Rikscentralen
Bracke Ostergard Tufts-New England Medical Center
S-417 22 Gothenburg 171 Harrison Avenue Box 1014
SWEDEN Boston, MA 02111
617/956-5000

214 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOJRCESOOK RESNA 1354 214


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Typewriting Institute for the Handicapped Research & Development Organizations


3102 W Augusta Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021 NIHR supports the following centers in the area of
602/939-5344 nonvocai communication

Ultratec, Inc Medical Rehabilitation R&T Center


PO Box 4062 Tufts University
Madison, WI 53711 171 Harrison Avenue (Box 1014)
608/273-0707 Boston, MA 02111
617/956-5031
Words+, Inc Richard Foulds, Project Director
1125 Stewart Ct, Suite D Core area Communication Systems for Individuals
Sunnyvale, CA 94086 with Nonvocal Disabilities
408/730-9588
Trace R&D Center
ZYGO Industries, Inc 314 Weisman Center
PO Box 1008 1500 Highland Avenue
Portland, OR 97207-1008 University of Wisconsin-Madison
503/297-1724 Madison, WI 53705
608/262-6966
Gregg C Vande iden, Project Director
Core area Access to Communication, Control, and
Information Processing Systems

A list of other research organizations can be


found in this section on page 202

4 ) 0 -.
14. /6

215 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 215


CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY Ale3

SENSORY AIDS

TECHNOLOGY FOR FEOFLE WITH NAFAIRED iiiSiON

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS Braille), available from National Braille Press,


Inc., 88 St Stephen Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Aids and Appliances Review is a quarteriy journal 02115
that provides high quality information on tech-
nology that is useful to people with impaired Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, February
vision Each ssue discusses one tonic in depth 1983, Vol 77, No 2 American Foundation for the
The first twelve issues I ave covered Blond, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011,
212/620-2000 This issue of the Journal has
1 Sunglasses January 1979 several articles regarding technology for visually
2 Large Print Media July 1979 impaired persons. "The Night Vision Aid for
3 Handwriting Guides January 1980 Legally Blind People with Night Blindness An
4 Speech Compression December 1980 Evaluation," written by Diane L Morrissette,
5 Alternative Labels Aids December 1981 Ph 0, and Gregory Goodrich, Ph 0, in which the
for Independent Living Night Vision Aid and the Wide Angle Mobility Light
6 Diabetic Control Equipment June 1982 are compared and evaluated, "AFB's Computerized
for Use with Vision Loss Travel Aid Two Years of Research and Develop-
7 The Light Probe Winter 1982 ment," by Mark M Uslan, W Robert Smith, Kenneth
A Versatile Aid Schreibman and Douglas R Maure, in which the
8 Kitchen Aids Resources for Spring 1983 progress in developing the aid is described, and
the Visually Impelled "Reading Machines for Blind People," by Derek H
9/10 Voice Output for Fall 1383 Fender, which discusses the problems of providing
Compu:er Access blind people with practical verbal reading
11 Braille and Computers Winter 1984 machines
12 Job Modifications Case Spring 1984
Presentations of Job Low Vision Services American Foundation for the
Modifications Through Blind, 15 West 16th St, New York, NY 10011
Adaptive Equipment $2 00

The next two will cover Reading Aids for the Partially Sighted A Sys-
tematic Classification and Procedure for Pre-
13 Aids for the Visually Summer 1984 scribing. Louise Sloan, Williams & Wilkins,
Impaired Elderly Baltimore, MD. 150 pages. $12 95 1977 Cri-
14 Tactile Maps Fall 1984 teria for selecting and evaluating optical and
non-optical reading aids. Illustrations accompany
These publications are a valuable source of in- many of the descripticne
for ,cation, as they are designed to be a consumer
report on aids and appliances for visually im Sensory Aids for Employment of Blind and Visually
paired people The Review is available in print Impaired Persons A Resource Guide American
for free, or on tape in the Library of Congress Foundation for the Blind, 15 West 16th Street, New
format For a taped copy, send one C-9P blank York, NY 10011 Available in large print and
cassette to the AAR Editorial Office at the ad- Braille editions $7 50 1978 Lists devices
dress below Contact the AAR Editorial Office and and equipment which provide on-the-job assistar ce
ask to be included on their mailing list Avail- to visually impaired people Each entry describes
able from Aids and Appliances Review, The Carroll the function of the device, employment applica-
Center for the Blind, 770 Centre Street, Newton, tion, vendor, availability, and, in some in-
MA 02158, 617/969-6200 stances, price Listings include hard copy and
paperless braille devices, braille readout, tone
Aids for the 80s What They Are and What They Do output or voice output calculators, computer
C Michael Mellor American Foundation for the terminals and accessories, labeling aids,
Blind, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011 measuring aids, communication devices, etc In-
1981 Free dexed by employment area

Braille Research Newsletter is a periodic news- "Sensory Aids for Visually-Impaired Clients"
letter devoted to providing state-of-the-art in- Rehab Brief, November 1982, 5 11 Many of the
formation or the production and use of the Braille difficulties experienced by persons with visual
reading system throughout the world The News- disabilities are met by technology in the form of
letter reviews new equipment, discusses new or sensory aids. This issue looks at sensory
innovative programs described the results of devices, techniques, and systems, primarily within
Braille-related research projects. and provides the context of aids that will be of particular
resource listings of manufacturers of various help on the job Available from U S Department
Braille devices. Issue #14 contains such tech- or Education, Office of Special Education and
nology-related articles as "Cognitive Processes in Rehabilitative Services, Mail Stop 2305, Switzer
Braille Reading," "Telabraille The New Telecommu- Building, Washington, DC 20202
nivation System for Deaf-Blind People," "Tactile
Diagrams," "Braille Stereotypes and Duplicators"
and others. Each issue is $6 (specify print or

":6 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDEN1 UVING SOURCEIOOK RESNA 19114 216


CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Sermon/ Aids Technology Update is a monthly news- PRODUCT CATALOGS


letter on technology and employment issues con-
cerning disabled people This new publication is Aids and Appliances for the Visually and Physical-
a rich source of information on technoloyy appii- ly Disabied, independent Living Aids, Inc, 11
cations. It is particularly valuable to people Commercial Avenue, Plainview, NY 11803
looking for information on sensory aids (hearing
and vision), but is alto useful for other types of International Guide to Aids and Appliances for
technology. It has features on new products, Blind and Visually Impaired Persons, Amer.can
special employment, education and training Foundation for the Blind, 15 West 16th Street, New
programs, unusual applications of technology, and York, NY 10011
new developments in research New publications
and interesting audiovisual programs are regularly Products for People with Vision Problems Ameri-
reviewed, and each month the product comparison can Foundation for the Blind, 15 West 16th Street,
section profiles similar devices. It includes new New York, NY 10011 Annually, in print and
from overseas. The articles are concise, and braille editions Free A guide to pro,,acts for
include references to guide you to further in- blind and visually impaired people Includes
formation. A typical issue includes Accessing watches, clocks and timers, canes and accessories,
dedicated word processors what works, what products for recreation, kitchens, nousehold,
doesn't, and what's coming, Financing adaptive sewing, medical use, writing and communication,
aids' with government funds fading, where to look and mathematics Lists low vision products, tools
for money; Project Partnen'-'p: what it promised and instruments. and, Travel concessions and
and what it delivers, Equipme,at demo centers for programs Five sources of product information
hearing impaired where they are in the U S. Indexed by product Contains photographs
Apple software customized for speech output in
project for S F Bay Area blind children, Tacti- Vision Aids Resource Guide, Science Products,
Phone: new device lets deaf-blind talk on standard (Wayne) Box A, Southeastern, Pennsylvania 19399,
phones; Reader's Forum advice on recruiting dis- 800/233-3121 (in Penn, 800/222-2148) This cata-
abled college students (December, 1983) A one- log has been deveioped o serve as a complete
year subscription to Update is $30 00; available resource guide for the visually impaired consumer
from Sensory Aids Foundation, 399 Sherman Avenue, or professional in the field of the visually im-
Suite 12, Palo Alto, CA 94306. paired It includes a wide selection of products
from hand-held magnifiers and monoculars to Macu-
Smith-Kettlewell Technical File, a quarterly tech- lar Degeneration Reading Aids, and talking clocks,
nical journal for blind and visually impaired calculators, and computers
readers, is available from the Smith-Kettlewell
Eye Research Foundation. This do-it-yourself AUDIOVISUALS
magazine is based upon the concept that given the
proper tools and knowledge of exemplary prototype Dark Silence United States Social Rehabilitation
assisted!: devices, persons who are blind can be- Services Distributed by Nat -)nal Audiovisual
come involved in solving some of the problems they Center, National Arc1.:ves and Records Sarv,ce,
face. The journal provides its readers with in- General Services Administration, Order Section/RI,
formation such as: electronics arid radio theory; Washington, DC 20409 16mm, color. 12 minutes
data on integrated circuits; instrultions for 1075 Reports on the research programs of the
constructing devices designed by the Rehabilita- National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
tion Engineering Center located at the Smith- in New Hyde Park, NY Features new communications
Kettlewell Institute for Visual Sciences; avail- hardware for the deaf/blind
able electronic test equipment, hints on soldering
and the use of power tools, and related biblio- The Handica s of Blindness and Deaf-Blindness
graphies produced in Braille, large print, and CBS-TV and St Johns University Distributed by
recorded form by various organizations. The Tech- Mr Winst_. Kirby, Director, Television Center,
nice, File is available for $15.00 per year Grand Central Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439 3/4"
(Braille or large print edition), and $8 00 per video, color, 28 1/2 minutes 19'9 Discussion
year (Talking Book version). Available from of blindness with Dr Hellinger, depicting dif-
Smith-Kettiewell Institute of Visual Sciences, ferent visual handicaps, illustration of devices
Rehabilitation .gineering ':emit., 2232 Webster to aid the visually handicapped, an introduction
Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, 415/563-2323 to deaf blindness and the Helen Keller National
Center, and an interview with Or Smithdas, jot/
Visual Aids and Informational Material National Director
Association for Visually Handicapped. New York,
NY Reading Aids for the Blind Kidsworld #135 Story
Bob and Betsy Behrens Distributed by The Behrens
Vocational and Educational Aids Developed by the Company, Inc, 170 SE 14th Street, Suite 6, Miami
Rehabilitation Engineering Center at the Smith- FL 33131 3/4" videocassette, color 4 31
Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences. Second minutes 1981 Kidsworld is a half-hour weekly
edition, 1983. 32 pages. 2232 Webster Street, television news program made for and by kids and
San Francisco, California 94122. telecast in over 90 U S. cities In this segment,
Sherrie Liu reports on reading aids at the Mary-
land School for the Blind Second Prize, Series,
1981 International Rehabilitation Film Festival

217 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING 11CURCE11001( RESNA 1984 217


CONTRCL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

OTHER RESOURCES ON SENSORY AIDS FOR VISION

Organizations Library Sistsito for trio iiina' lira'


Physically Handicapped
American Foundation for the Blind Library of Congress
15 Wet!. 16th Street 1291 Taylor Street NW
Naw York. New York 10011 Washington, DC 20502
202/287-5100
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue The National Library Service for the Blind and
Louisville, KY 40206 Physically Handicapped (NLS) collection of full-
length braille and talking books and magazines is
Carroll Center for the Blind loaned free to individuals who cannot hold,
770 Centre Street handle, or read conventional printed matter.
Newton, MA 02158 Books, magazines, and playback equipment provided
617/969-6200 by NLS are distributed through a national network
of 160 locally funded cooperating libraries and
Information for the Partially Sighted ZIPS) agencies where they are circulated to eligible
9012 Oid Georgetown Road residents of the U S and its territories
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
The NLS Reference Section provides information on
Sensory \nls Foundation various aspects of blindness and physical handi-
399 Sherman Avenue caps Its reference collection consists of ap-
Suite 12 proximately 4,000 print books and 500 professional
Palo Alto, CA 94306 Journals dealing with handicaps and related sub-
415/329-0430 ilcts Information on aids and appliances is
included as one of the many topics covered in the
reference section Specific reference circulars
Notional Institute of Handicapped Research (NIHR) and bibliographies are available on reading and
Supported Organizations writing aids for the handicapped, reading machines
for the blind, ana closed-circuit reading devices
RECs for the visually impaired

Rehabilitation Engineering Center See also PERSONAL MOBILITY "Mobility Aids for the
Smith-Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences Blind", MICROCOMPUTER API,' 'CATIONS, "Access for
2232 Webster Street Blind People", HOMEMAKr.., RECREATION
San Franc.sco, California 94115
415/563-2323
Development and evaluation of sensory aids for DO-IT-YOURSELF TECHNOLOGY FOR BLIND PEOPLE
blind an deaf individuals
Dr Arthur JampolskY "Known affectionately to its graduates as the
Dr John Brabyn 'little school,' the Smith-Kettlewell Institute of
Visual Sciences in San Francisco is offering a
free electronics assembly class Open to all
Research and Training Centers blind cr visually impaired people, positions are
?.vailable for three students on a first-come,
Pennsylvania Cc liege of Optometry first-served basis
Office of Academic Development
1200 W Godfrey Avenue "Unique in the United States, the 'little school'
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141 provides pre-vocational instruction in solder,ng,
215/424-5900, ext 252 parts layout and hardware mounting Twenty-five
Orientation and mobility research for persons with students have participated in th3 program since it
:ow vision began in 1980 There is no formal certification
Laura Edwards, project director upon completion of training Assistance is avail-
able to finding living accommodations For mo ;e
Mississippi State Universty information, contact the program director, Jay
PO Drawer LO Williams, at 2232 Webster Street, San Francisco,
Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762 California 94115, 415/561- 1677"
601/325-2001
Blindness and low vision rehabilitation from Sensory Aids Technology Upda.e, November,
William H Graves, PhD, project director 1983

Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children


201 N Benefield Street Home Mechanics for the Visually Impaired R G
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213 Utrup Western Michigan University, Department of
412/621-0100 Blind Rehabilitation, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001
Assessment and treatment of families with visually 96 pages $1 50 1974 Series of 17 lessons for
handicapped children teaching blind students to make their own home
Janet Simon, project director repairs Supplementary reading list included

9
Li

218 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA ISIS4 218


CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

TECHNOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED HEARING

EQUIPMENT DEMONSTRATION CENTERS portant to try a device in tile environment in


which it will be used (She even taped a baby
"The growing availability of assistive devices for crying to help test warning devices ) At the
the hearing impaired makes it increasingly diffi- moment, they do not have a TDD to demonstrate
cult for consumers and rehabilitation profes- The center is open on Tuesdays, but special ap-
sionals to determine what devices might be most pointments can be arranged by calling in advance
helpful An interpreter is available to guide deaf
visitors For more information contact Evelyn
"In the last two years, several centers have been Burns, Hearing and Speech Agency of Metropolitan
established in the U.S offering hands-on demon- Baltimore, 2220 St Paul Street, Baltimore, Mary-
strations to help consumers and professionals land 21218, or call (301)243-3800, with a TTY
assess different devices There is no charge for (301)243-2672
visiting these centers In addit'on to the
working models of equipment, all of them provide Northwest Center
up-to-date information on device prices and avail-
ability "In the Northwest, the Seattle Hearing and Speech
Center schedules device demonstrations by appoint-
1st U.S. Center ment Clock timers, pillow buzzers, bed vibra-
tors, amplifiers, and TDDs are on display Many
"The Fort Lauderdale Oral School pioneered the devices can be bought at the center For more
first such center in 1981 More than 20 devices, information call Rose Dias (206)323-5770"
including viorating and visual alarms, captioning
devices and Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf This article appeared in the December 1983 issue
(TDDs), are set up for display and demonstration of Sensory Aids Technology Upda,e, which is avail-
The center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays and able from Sensory Aids Foundation, 399 Sheridan
tours are led by people trained in the use of each Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
device For more information contact The Fort
Lauderdale Oral School, 3100 S.W 8th Ave, Fort
Lauderdale, -lorida 33315, (305)525-7251

California Center

"In Northern California, The San Francisco Hearing


Society's Lions Den Project offers hands-on DEAFNET
demonstrations of various devices, including TDDs
A trained audiologist, who can }.plain the de- "The Word's Getting Around Local Implementation
vices, guides visitors through tl.e display Since of Telecommunications Networks for Deaf Users"
it has no regular scheduled hours, make appoint- American Annuals of the Deaf, September, 1983
ments ahead of time by calling (415)775-5700, or Volume 128, No 5, pages 613-618 Accessible by
with a TTY (415)776-DEAF both telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDDs)
and ASCII-based computer terminals, DEAFNET is the
New York Centers communications network for deaf persons It pro-
vides bulletin-board access, electronic message
"In New York City, the New York League for the service, and real-time linking capabilities for
Hard of Hearing accepts appointments for demon- deaf users, their hearing friends, businesses, and
strations of many devices, including alarms, various services
listening devices and TDDs They also dispense
devices. To make an appointment call (212)741- DEAFNET is scheduled to be up and running in the
7640, wit' a TTY (212)255-1932, or write the New 20 largest U S cities by 1985
York League for the Hard of Hearing, 71 West 23rd
Street, New York, New York 10010 For more DEAFNET information, contact

"The National Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, Teresa Middleton


New York houses another demonstration center The 415/859-2236 (voice)
Institute has an extensive telephone laboratory 415/326-1802 ITTY)
where TDDs and other phone devices can be SRI International
examined In a separate hearing lab, signaling Menlo Park, California
devices are on display A trained staff member
takes visitors through the displays To arrange a
demonstration call Dr Diane Castle (716)475-6476
or Jackie Gauger (716)475-6553

Home Setting

"The Hearing and Speech Agency of Metropolitan


Baltimore has organized a unique demonstration
center that simulates a home setting The display
area is arranged like a living room Evelyn
Burns, the center director, believes it is im

219 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LOVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 219


CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

PUBLICATIONS RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED HEARING

A Survey of Current Developments in Assistive Theaters, Out-of-doors


Devices for Hearing- impaired Persons in the United
States George W. Fellendorf, Ed D 71 pages "Contributions of Technology to Deaf and Hearing
$5.00. 1982. Gallaudet Research Institute, Office Impaired Individuals" Rehab Brief Bringing
of Research Dissemination, House Three, Gallaudet Research Into Effective Focus, Vol III, No 11,
College, 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, DC August 20, 1980 National Institute of Handi-
20002. This report is a current summary and in- capped Research, Office of Special Education and
formation source for the field of assistive de- Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education,
vices for the deaf and hearing impaired It is Washington, DC 23201 No charge
intended primarily for professionals but will also
be useful to consumers Assistive devices are Directory of Telecommunication Aids for Disabled
broadly defined to range from simple visual "door- People Prepared by Bell Canada on behalf of the
bells" to teletypewriters to advanced concepts Canadian Telecommunication Carriers Assn A
such as computer mail and automatic speech recog- reference for people who are concerned with the
nizers Existing devices are described in the telecommunications of hard-of-hearing, deaf,
following rlasses alerting and alarm systems, speech-impaired, visually-impaired and motion han-
telephone assistive systems, personal listening dicapped people An attempt has been made to
systems, captioned TV, and large-room amplifica- compile the information which is available for
tion systems Descriptions are functional, in various sources both in North America and abroad
terms of the consumer-community and client needs, The devices are categorized by the function which
rather than in technical terms In addition to they perform in relation to telecommunications,
existing devices, prototype new devices and trends especially with reference to the telephone Each
in research and development are discussed, these aid is described briefly Its manufacturer, dis-
include concepts such as Picturephone, computer- tributor, or contact is listed, and its approxi-
ized teletext services, speech synthesis, and mate price, when available, is recorded Research
speech recoanition systems Device demonstration which is known to be currently underway for deve-
centers and other methods of dissemination of loping more aids related to these functions is
devices for the hearing impaired are presented as also briefly outlined Follov :ng this listing of
models for meeting the consumer's needs to obtain aids and research, some existing services relating
and try out devices Studies of consumer needs, to telecommunications for disabled people are
preferences, and actions are summarized (nine discussed
studies are covered 1974-1982) Recommendations
are made for future action to improve and develop Equipment Designed to Improve the Communication
further devices and to provide better education, Skills of the Deaf.. Donald Johnson, William E
cooperation of the concerned parties and dissemi- Castle, editors National Technical Information
nation of assistive devices An appendix lists Services, 5285 Port Royal Road, c pringfield, VA
representative devices that are currently avail- 22161 77 pages $7 50 1976 This booklet
able, their price, and sources of supply presents equipment designed and developed at the
National Technical Institute for the Deaf,
Rochester Institute of Technology, to improve
Other Publications of Interest communication skills of the deaf The report
includes seven chapters demonstrating the actual
Advances in Prosthetic Devices for the Deaf A design and rat,onale for development of several
Technical Workshen D McPherson, M Davis, items of equipment an tliesr related work space
editors. National Technical Information Services,
5285 °ort Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 334 Getting the Most Out of Your Hearing Aid Joan M
pages. $750. 1979 Examines 45 topic areas Armbruster and Maurice H Miller A G Bell Asso-
dealing with amplification, cochlear implant, ciation, 4317 Volta Place, NW, Washington, DC
vibrotactile devices and the physiology and 20007 40 pages $2 00 1981 This is a step-
psychoacoustics of hearing and hearing impairment by-step guide to living with your hearing aid It
It also examines the social and educational as covers the components of a hearing aid, how to
pects of deafness wear an aid, how to get accustomed to your aid,
common solutions to common complaints, and hints
Assistive Listening Devices and Systems (ALDS) And on basic care for hearing aids
You Dr Gwenyth Vaughn, Robert K Lightman,
Rocky Stone SHHH/AD, 4848 Battery Lane, Suite "Help for Hearing Impaired Persons" PAM
100, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 A six pamphlet Repeater, No 18, June 1983 Barbara Warren
series with information and illustrations of hard- Arselia S Ensign, Editor PAM Assistance Center,
wire, infrared, FM and loop systems available from 601 W Maple Street, Lansing, MI 48906, 517/37I
SHHil Titles are I Screen Yourself for an 5897
Assistive Listening Devices or System (ALDS), II
How You Can Select an Assistive Listening Devices Helpful Hearing Aid Hints Earl Harford and
or System (AIDS), Ill TpIP phone Listering and Elizabeth Dodds AG Bell Association, 4317
Talking, IV Listening to Television, Radio, Volta Place, NW, Washington, DC 20007 21 pages
Stereo; V Special Techniques for One-to-One and $1 75 1970 How to achieve maximum benefit from
Small Group Listening and Talking Automobile, hearing aids and overcoms common communication
Restaurant, Industry, Clinic, Conference, Party, problems For adult hearing aul users
Exhibit; VI Medium and Large Area Listening
Confe3nces, Classrooms, Places of Worship,
21J
220 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 220
CONTROL COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

Helping the Handicapped A Guitie to Aids Developed S ecial Devices for Hard of Hearing, Deaf, and
by the Telephone Pioneers of America Telephone Deaf-Blind Persons J Hurvitz and R Carmen
Pioneers of America 195 Broadway_ New York NY l ,tee Rr^we, anal Pornpany, Boston, MA 1:18:
10007 Call your local phone company for the name
of your local area chapter administrator elephone Accessories You Can Build J H
Guilder Hayden Book Co, Inc, Rochelle Park,
1-earning Technology and the Hearing Impaired NJ 1976 Has information on building your own
Frank B Withrow, Ph D, editor A.G Bell Asso- signaling devices
ciation, 4317 Volta Place, NW, Washington, DC
20007 106 pages. $4 95 1981 "What You Should Know About TDDs " Diane Castle,
PhD Public Information Office, National Tech-
New Trends for Instructing Deaf People Rochester nical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester Institute
Institute of Technology, National Technical Insti- of Technology, One Lomb Memorial Drive, PO Box
tute for the Deaf, One Lomb Memorial Drive, PO 9887, Rochester, NY 14623 free
Box 9837, Rochester, New York 14623

Non-Vocal Communication Resource Book G C Van-


derheiden, L. Krause $2000 1983 Trace R&D Children's Hearing Aids
Center, Reprint Service, 314 Weisman Center, 1500
Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, 608/262-6966 "All About Hearing Aids" Auditory Services
Program, Montgomery County, Maryland, Public
Orientation to Hearing Aids Jaclyn S Gauger Schools Available from A G Bell Association,
AG Bell Association, 4317 Volta Place, NW, 4317 Volta Place, NW, Wasnington, DC 20007 12
Washington. DC 20007 $9 45 1978 This pack- pages $1 75 1975 Simple instructions for
age was developed to motivate and train students parents and teachers on the care of a child's
to use hearing aids to improve communication hearing aid
skills It is designed as an individualized in-
struction guide for a hearing aid user and audio- Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids and Your Child A Guide
logist. Written at an eighth grade vocabulary for Parents Alfred L Miller Charles C
level, the package includes the following six Thomas, 2600 S First Street, Springfield, IL
component workbooks Hearing Aids and What They Do 62717 97 pages, figures $7 50 1980 A dis-
(46 pages), Earmolds and Hearing Aid Batteries ('32 cussion of the various forms of hearing loss,
pages), Maintenance and Care of Hearing Aids (26 procedures for evaluating hearing, descriptions of
pages); Troubleshooting Hearing Aid Problems (22 hearing aids, and provisions of speech and hearing
pages); Consumer Information Hearing Aids (32 therapy in regular schools
pages); Student Manual (20 pages)
Tim and His Hearing Aid Eleanor Hormel and Joan
Reasonable Accommodation Handbook Frank Bowe Porter A G Bell Association, 4317 Volta Place,
American Telephone & Telegraph Company Available NW, Washington, DC 20007 48 pages $350
from National Center for a Bamer Free Enviror 1965 An easy-to-read book for elementary school
ment, Information Service, 1015 Fifteenth Street children about a young boy learning to use a
NW, Washington, DC 20005, 202/466-6896 323 hearing aid Illustrated
pages $37 50 1983 Although produced for
AT&T, this document would also be helpful to other
employers and vocational counselors It contains Audiovisuals
an introductory section discussing the concept of
reasonable accommodation and reviewing the legal Communication Aids for the Hearing Handicapped
and regulatory requirements The book provides R L Hughes, Ph D, M E Glasscock III, MD Dis-
one-page descriptions, with photographs, of hun- tributed by House Ear Institute, Audio Visual
dreds of products and devices which may prove Services, 256 South Lake Street. Los Angeles, CA
suitable for use as reasonable accommodations for 90057 16mm and video 15 minutes 1970 There
certain individuals having lob-related limita- are many devices other than hearing aids that the
tions Tne following information is entered for hearing impaired person may be able to use The
each product or service for which it was avail- electronic stethoscope, television and teleohone
able product name, what it is, what it does, aids, and various light signals are presented in
advantages, disadvantages, cost, available from, simulated situations to illustrate such devices
Bell System experience, photograph The data are
accurate as of June, 1982 0UT Organization for the Use of the Telephone
WBAL-TV, Baltimore Distributed by the Organiza-
Sensory Devices for the Hearing Impaired Harry tion for Use of the Telephone, Inc, PO Box 175.
Levitt, James M Pickett, and Robert A Houde. Owings Mills, MD 21117 3/4" videocassette,
editors IEEE Press John Wiley & Sons, Inc color 30 seconds 1981 Information to assist
1980 hearing-impaired people with hearing aids in the
use of the telephone
Signaling Devices for Hearing-Impaired People
Diane L Castle, PhD A G Bell Association, 4317 Silent Walls United States Socia' Rehabilitation
Volta Place, NW, Washington, DC 20007 Free Services Distributed by National Audiovisual
This brochure provides information on commercially Center, National Archives and Records Service,
available products that perform signaling func- General Services Administration, Order Section/RT,
tions for the hearing-impaired person such as Washington DC 20409 Examines deafness and the
wake-up alarms, multi-purpose signaling devices many problems of deaf people who must adjust to a
and warning device silent world Shows the .raining of deaf people
24
221 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1954 221
CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND c FNSORY AIDS

to communicate, to find employment, and to bridge University of Arkansas;


the gap of isolation and alienation Demonstrates Board of Trustees
new office equipment designed especially for the Fayetteville Campuc
deaf by deaf persons Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Douglas Watson, Ph D, Project Director
Core Area Improving Vocational Rehabilitation in
ORGANIZATIONS Postsecondary Education Programs fo- Deaf
Individuals
National organizations that can provide more
information University of Arkansas College of Education
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf 501/371-1654, TTY 501/371-1656
4317 Volta Place, NW Douglas Watson, Ph D, Project Director
Washington, DC 20007 Core Area Vocational Rehabilitation of
202/337-5220 (Voice or TTY) Individuals with Deafness/Hearing Impairments

Gallaudet College
800 Florida NE
Washington, DC

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)


814 Thayer Avenue
Silver 3pring, Maryland 20910
301/587-1788 (Voice or TTY)

National Technical Institute for the Deaf


Rochester Institute of Technology
One Lomb Memorial Drive
PO Box 9887
Rochester, New York 14623

Organizations for Use of the Telephone, Inc


PO Box 175
Owings Mill, Maryland 21117
301/655-1827

SHHH/AD
4848 Battery Lane
Suite 100
Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Programs Fundc.: :-.4 National Institute for


Handicapped Research

Rehabilitation Engineering Center for the Deaf and


Hearing Impaired
Gallaudet Research Institute
Gallaudet ., ollege
8U0 Florida Avenue, NE
Washington, DC
202/651-5440
Raymond Trybus, Ph D, Project Director

Rehabilitation Engineering Center on the New


Generation hearing Aids
The Lexington Center, Inc
30th Avenue and 75th Street
Jackson Heights, New York 11370
Alan Lerman, PhD, Project Director

Rehabilitation Engineering Center on Sensory Aids


for Blind and Deaf
Smith-Kettlewell I stitute of Visual Sciences
2232 Webster Street
San Francisco, California 94115
Dr Arthur Jampolsky, Dr John Brabyn, Project
Directors

222 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 222


CONTROL, COMMUNICATION AND SENSORY AIDS

TELECOMMUNICATiON DEVICES FOR THE DEAF (TDDs)

Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDDs) are A Service for TDD Users
growing in popularity daily A TDD lets a deaf
parson make a telephone call directly to another Even if the other person doesn't have a TDD, you
parson having sirntlar equipment, without the need can still communicate using your TDD There are
for an interpreter, since the conversation is several new services around the country which help
typed through one machine to another machine make the connection TDD users call the service
instead of being spoken. which connects (on a second line) by voice to the
called party Both lines are kept open simulta-
Some Sources for TDDs neously, so that a complete two-way conversation
may take place quickly and easily The service
American Communication Corp operator reads the calling party's typing on a TDD
180 Roberts Street unit, the called party then hears the service
East Hartford, Connecticut 06108 operator's voice reading and responds in speech,
Vo;ce and TDD 203/289-3491 which the service operator hen types on a TDD for
the calling party to read The same service, in
C-Phone, Inc. reverse order, may also apply for persons calling
553 Wolfner Drive someone who uses a TDD device Most services are
Fenton, MI 63026 operated by voluntary organizations and do not
Voice 'Ind TDD 314/343-5883 charge a fee The only costs are the regular
telephone charges between the TDD user and the
CYBERTECH, Inc service, and between the service and called party
P 0 Box 543 However, in some areas, these services are run on
Thornhill, Ontario a monthly fee-for-service basis
CANADA L3T 4AZ
Canadian TDD
Assessment of TOD Technol
Krown Research, Inc
6300 Arizona Circle Applied Concepts Corporation has peen awarded a
Los Angeles, California 90045 research control by the U S Architectural and
Voice and TDD 213/641-4306 Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to help
the Board complete its minimum guidelines for TDD
Northern Telecom, Inc use in federal facilites One of the purposes of
Advanced Telephone Products Division the study is to provide the Board with an assess-
640 Massman Drive ment of present and future tecAnologies for use in
Nashville, Tennessee 37210 TDDs A report should be available in the fall of
Voice 615/883-9220 1984 For more information on the project, con-
TDD 615/889-1627 tact Sally Free, Office of Technical Services,
Architectural and Transp^-tation Barriers Compli-
Phona-TTY Incorporated ance Board, 330 C Street, SW, Washington, DC
202 Lexington Avenue 20202,202/472-2700 (voice or TOD)
Hackensack. New Jersey 07410
Voice and TDD 201/489-7889
Also see COMMUNICATION and EDUCATION & VOCA-
Plantronics TIONAL TECHNOLOGY
345 Encinal Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
Voice and TDD 408/462-5606

Specialized Systems, Inc


11339 Sorrent) Vahey Road
Dept TBJ
San Diego, California 92121
Voice 714/481-6000
TDD 714/481-6060

Ultratec, Inc
P 0 Box 4062
Madison, WI
Voice and TOD 608/273-0707

Weitbrecht Communications, Inc


655 Skyway, Suite 230
San Carlos, California 94070
Voicb 415/592-1622
TDD 415/592-1623

For more information on TDDs, contact Telecommuni-


cations for the Deaf, Inc (TOI), 814 Thayer Ave. r) A --,
Silver Spring, MD 20910,301/589-3006 (voice/TDD) 0.... 't ,.."

223 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 223


Microcomputer
Applications
MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS 227

INTRODUCTION 227

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING A COMPUTER 227

COMPUTER SHOPPING FOR THE BLIND CONSUMER 228

AN ISSUE OF ACCESS 230

COMPUTER-RELATED INFORMATION FROM TRACE 232

USING A COMPUTER WHEN YOU CAN'T USE ITS STANDARD KEYBOARD 233

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE 236

PUBLICATIONS 236
CLEARINGHOUSES & CATALOGS 237
NEWSLETTERS 238
MASS MARKET COMPUTER MAGAZINES .
238
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS 239
INFORMATION EXCHANGE NETWORKS 241
RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL APPLICATIONS 243
IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 243
IN COGNITIVE REHABILITATION 244
VOICE INPUT 245
VOICE OUTDUT 245
COMPUTER ACCESS FOR BLIND PEOPLE 246

TRACE CENTER SOFTWARE/HARDWARE REGISTRY FORMS 247

226 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 226


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

G4TRODUCTION explosion in me numner of workshops, conferences,


publications, hardware and software developed and
"A group of statisticians once rated the effi- targeted at the disability market Even so, the
ciency of various species in motion They used need is far from sat,sfied
the criterion 'Which one can get from point A to
point B with the least amount of energy exerted' The potential and range of applications is mind
boggling' For example, at a recent conference in
"The condor won The human being came in about a California, "Software for the Handicapped and
third of the way down the list Vocational Rehabilitation," the range of presenta-
tions included
"Then the scientists re-rated each species, but
this time put the human on a bicycle Suddenly Single Switch Training and Software for
we humans were twice as efficient as the condor the School Age Population
A Computer Assisted Communication System for
"Personal computers can work the same way as the Aphasi' Adults
b:cycle -- as amplifiers of human ability Vocational Considerations for Application to
Computer Technology
"There are an estimated 20 million people in the Environmental Control Systems
United States with some disabling physical handi- Software Applicatio-.s for Multiply
cap Of that number, 79 million are severely Handicapped School Age Children Group
disabled The numbers are great, but each disabi- Problem Solving and Social Interaction
lity is unique -- because each person is unique Robotics
Computer Access by Voice Recognition
"Although an ideal computer system for the dis- Software for Traumatic Head Injury
abled doesn't exist, the pieces, and the knowledge
necessary to assemble a computer system to meet
specify:. needs do erit GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION OF COMPUTERS

"By improving the applications that exe:, today, "When trying to select a computer for a given
we can develop the personal computer into a more application, there are a number of considerations
powerful tool for everyone" Actual purchase of the computer is generally the
last rather than the first step in this process
From the Introduction to Personal Computers The recommended procedure is as follows
and the Disabled, A Resource Guide, Apple
Computer, Inc, Cupertino, CA 95014 1 What do you want the computer to do7
"Very carefully define exactly what it is that you
want the computer to achieve 'I want it to help
In the not too distant future, it will be strange hir with his schoolwork', 'I want it to help him
to look "e this section called Microcomputer write', 'I want it to help him communicate', are
Applications wonder why a separate section not sufficient definitions of need These are
was pulled out of the ether function-oriented general goals or wishes, but not specific func-
areas in this book It will probably look as tions that you wish the computer to achieve 'I
pet.uhar as if there had been a section on the use would like the co,, ''ter to provide him wo i some
of books, or applications of paper and pencil In anism for printing uut messages' would
1984, however, we are not yet ready to position like it to provide a mech,nism for him to write
information on computers so!:3Iy within their func- out his homework, making corrections, both at home
tional application areas, e g, environmental and at school', or 'I would like it to provide my
control, education, worksite The field is too blind son with the ability to write out work and
i.ew, the potentials not fully understood, and we be able to detect and correct his mistakes both at
are still 'earning how, when, whet e, why to home and at sciwui are better definitions of
use this new tool effectively These tools may needs In making your description of the needs,
even make our traditional functionally separate use as many paragraphs as necessary, and be as
categories obsolete (home, work, play, etc I absolutely explicit as possible
More likely, though, computers will slip into the
backgrcund and become like the motor vehicle, a 2 Is there a simpler alternatve'
part of every aspect of our lives "When exploring solutions to your problem, look at
both computer-based and non-computer-based tech-
We are all influenced by this new terhnology niques or approaches to the solution Also look
Whether we are enthusiastic, intimidated, or Just at technology- and non-technology-based solutions
confused, the computer is here to stay Often, a simple strategy or technique may be a
more powerful and more flexible solution than the
Even if you are diligently trying to ignore them, electronic or computer-based aid
it is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid the
references to computer applications for lust bout 3 Is appropriate software available?
veryone and everything "No computer is of any value without software
The next step should therefore be to identify
Disabled people, coal education and rehabilita- whether software exists, for any computer, which
tion are obvious areas which can benefit from will provide the functions desired Carefully
microcomputer applications There has been an examine any software packages available to see
4-.)
4., '4 U
227 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 227
MICROCOMFUTER APPLICATIONS

whether they provide all of the functions re- able in the final selection Also, if you do not
quired, or whether tiley will need modification see .7 piece of hardware or software that really
Modification to software can be extremely expen- meets your needs, do not be afraid to hold off a.,d
sive. or impossible. depending upon the comole-ity watt for developments The field at this time is
of the program, the language it's written in, and expanding very, very rapidly New hardware and
the availability of the source code Writing a hew computers are constantly being announced New
program from scratch can be very expersive A programs and special modifications are also being
program which could be purchased for $50-$100 may developed in the area of rehabilitation Check
co_ $20,000-$200,000 to write Many of the more summary documents such as the Trace Center Inter-
expensive progra may have cost $500,000- ational Software/Hardware Registry of Programs
$1,000,000 to develop and perteN Written or Adapted for Handicapped Individuals to
see what programs/ modifications are available or
4 Mao,: the software really do what y e, want it to under development in your area A short note to
"Get hold of - re software parkeees for hardw ,re some of the principal developers in the area to
modifications) and try them Out Melly pieces of ask whether they are aware of any new research of
software sound good when describer', but fail to aids may also be helpful in identifying new soft-
deliver much when actually tried Also, it is ware packages or special hardware adaptations
very easy to have ever-optimistic expectations of which are still in 1 evelopment stages and not yet
the value of computers in carrying out various documented"
tasks A good demonstration of the software in
use can rec:uce many of these problems, and help to Excerpted from Comparison of apple, 2p-son,
identify truly useful software packages or hard- IBM Microcomputers for Applications in
ware modifications/modules Rehabilitation Systems for Persons with Phy-
sical Handicaps 1984, Trace Research &
5 Which hardware does it run one Development Center, University of Wisconsin-
"If the software is available for multiple com- Madison, $8 50
putera, c eluate the various computers to de-
termine which one would be the best for your The complete document also includes the following
particular applicat i The physical character's ir'ermation
tics of the comet , its specific features and an overview of considerations regarding t
capabilities, the likelihood that at:jitional soft- use of microcomputers with/by handicapped
ware in this area will be developed for each individuals
computer, and the availability and maintenance of b) a cross-comparison of computers and their
the computer locally are all factors which should features
be taken into account c) a cross-comparison of different sized system
configurations for each computer
6 How can I co:n^ere them? d) a discussion of the different computers in
"If several computers appear to be equally good, terms of the consk.arations discussed under
some type of a scoring cross-comparison may be (a) above
useful. The individual items discussed would be e) a comparison sheet for evaluation o! your own
listed, along with a notation as to whether they needs
were absolutely .equired, highly desirable, desir-
able, or optional The various computers can then
be compared Any computer which fails to provide
an absolutely required item would be automatically COMPUTER SHOPPING FOR THE BLIND CONSUMER
disqualified Points could then be scored for the
other items, and the systems compared ayamst each Know what you want to do
other in this manner What are your mteaded applications? There
are no universal solutions You choices in soft-
7 Is the solution adequate? ware, assistive aids, and the computer, all depend
"Check to be .uie that the solution is sufficient absolutely on the intended application Don't
Just because you have identified the best of the shop the computer first and then look for some-
computer/software packages available does not thing it can do
guarantee that you have a package which is good
enough to meet your particular needs or to Justify Talk to blind users
the expenditure In some cases, ,- wiser to "If you know what you want to do, talk to blind
wait for additional developments than to move users doing the same thing This is the hard
immediately and purchase something which in fact part Unless you have a blind friend who uses
ill not meet your needs computers, you'll arr.' bly need help To start,
call manufacturers anet distributors of software
8 Have I got all the pieces? and aids specifically designed for blind users and
when you have identified a package which ask for names of their customers Local and
is both optimal and sufficient, proceed to pur- national organizations that won 1.iith visually
chase all A the components required When com- impaired people, many VA hospitals, and even some
paring do` nt computers, be sure to compare the computer user groups can prove good resources
entire ;7]...age price Often, a computer will look
tc be less expensive, but its cost will rapidly "A number of newsletters regularly print detailed
rise as all of the various accessories ant+ modules product comparisons, evaluations, and reviews of
are secured to complete the system unusual computer application; for blind user.. In
addition to Update, some of the better ones are by
'Throughout the process, remember that a litt' David Holloday (7171523-6739, too Giovanelli
extra legwork on the front end can prove invaiu- (Blind Apple Users Group) (516).33-0171, Vito

228 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING RESNA 1284 228


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Pr"ecia (415,465-8107 and COPH-2 (312)477-1813 manufacturers competing in a ernal! marketplace


Two r3cent books on the subject have been pub-
lished by the Carroll Center for the Blind "With that said, make sure your vendor offers
;61.19' 6200 and the National Braille Press support for its product Ask for the names of
(617)266 -6160. several customers and investigate the firm The
support should include service assistance (lo .a:,
The local computer store factory and telephone hot-line), regular product
"Be wary of advice from the local computer store. updates, and a new product warranty, followed by a
They will rarely have any knowledge about software reasonably priced service contract For more
for blind users, or be able to answer questions on information, see this issue's 'Buyer Beware'
interfacing assistive aids with the computer And article"
if you haven't done your homework, many cornputer
sales tyoes can easily overwhelm and confuse you Reprinted with permission from "Sensory Aids
with their technical jargon The same advice is Technology Update", January, 1984
true for computer-literate, sighted friends They
will generally be interested in the latest state- *,.--litor's note I asked Gregg Vanderheiden to
of-the-art advances and consider obsolete the comment on the problem of protected software His
machine that may be best for yoJr purposes reel was

First find the software "Protection of software le--elf does not usually
"Software is the brain of the machine, it makes cause this problem Protection is only one of 6
the computer do what you want After tai mg to or more possible causes for this, and is usually
other blind users, you should know what your soft- not the culprit This problem is just as common
ware choices are, as well as the available aids in unprotected high speed software Some causes
you .-nay need and the computers they interface are
with.
"1) Software bypass of operating system to yam
"Here are some dangers to be aware of Line- speed
oriented displays software that displays informa- 2) New patch needed for program wipes out your
tion left-to-right on a line as opposed to full patch
screen) often requires 1*^e-oriented computer aids 3) All memory is used leaving no room for your
(called sew') And sonietin.z.s software is pro- patch
tected* so it will only read directly to the 4) Software just assumes empty computer and
computer monitor, thus t,ipassing your voice output kills patch by accident
synthesizer or braille device So make sure your 5) Software clears out computer to make sure
software can be intelligibly read by your assis- other patches from old program any removed so
tive aids and computer In many cases you won't user won't have trouble using this program
he able to use commercial software such as Visi- 6) Software clears out other programs and
Calc, or wo: processing packages that have full patches to help protect this program from
screen editing features being copied

"Finally, equipment interfacing (connecting dif- Another somewhat longer article on computer selec-
ferent pieces of hardware to the computer) is an tion for blind people, entitled "How to Select a
onerous bogeyman that haunts all computer users Compute' by Harvey Lauer, appears in the COPH
A ain, as with software, make sure your assistive Bulletin Vol XIX, No 7, 1st Quarter 1984, Issue
aids and peripheral devices all connect to the 50
computer and each other

Try before you buy Also refer to the reference books in this section
"This will be difficult, but before buying, ar-
range a demonstration of the system you've chosen,
including all software and aids This may mean
traveling, but remember, you're considering an
investment of $3000 to perhaps more than $20,000
Some organizations (see the November Update) are
now, or will soon be, fering hands on demonstra-
tions of computer access aids Also contact ven-
dors of special equipment for blind users, they
can sometimes assembt a local demonstration not
only of their device but of the other hardware you
w..t 0 try
Watch where you buy-
"Stay with reputable, known dealers. At the same
time, of course, price is a very important consi-
deration Fortunately blind consumers today
breathe a much more bracing, competitive air ti an
in the past. There are many good software
packages, voice output devices, braille printers,
and modified computers offered bv healthy, young
firms that should be considered Blind consumers
are no longer hostages to a handful of high ?mad

229 TICNNOLOGIT FOR INORPINOENT UIRIOG SOURCESOOK 229


RESNA 1111114
MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

AN ISSUE OF ACCESS

IN Cl1RISCUTS AND COMPUTERS. PROVIDING ACCESS TO computers Although these handicapped individuals
COMPUTERS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR DISABLED have the few special programs which have been
INDIVIDUALS written for them, and which they can operate with
their limited physical abilities, they are unable
Gregg Vanderheiden, Trace R&D Center, raises the to use the much larger (on thi, order of a hundred
disturbing issue of how computers could become the to a thousand times larger) body of standard soft-
greatest new handicap that disabled people will ware which is being used by the rest of their
ever face. class, since they are physically unable to operate
it As a result, half of the classwork (and the
He points out that computers have the very great educational system) is inaccessible to them
potential of creating new barriers and wider ng
the gap between disabled and able-bodied people, "Other individuals, moving into the Job market,
rather than helping the disabled individual over- in that companies are not interested in the fact
come these gaps that these herdic,. ped individuals can use their
own computes and their specially adapted programs
"How does a computer become a barrier' First, we The employer is only interested in whether the
have to realize that the computer was not invented disabled individual is able to operate the ac-
for the individual with a disability We get so counting program running on the company's com-
excite:: about all of the potential uses of the puter If not, then he can't carry out the Job,
computer to carry out special activities for indi- and is unemployable, despite the fact that he 'has
viduals who have disabilities that we forget that a computer and a program he can operate. Care
the reason computers were developed, and the must be to taken to distinguish between having the
reason the technology is racing ahead and the ability to do something or operate a computer and
p.ices are dropping, is that they are very rapidly the ability to operate the programs and computers
being applied and incorporated into the lives of that are required This is roughly akin to being
non-handicapped individuals They are extending able to easily access your bathroom at home, which
the capabilities of ab.e-bodied does you little or no good if you cannot use the
increasing their efficien -y and effectiveness, and facilities on the Job It's not enough that you
providing them with new capabilities Computers can access a bathroom you have to be able to
are showing up at an ever-increasing rate in our access the bathrooms that are in the environments
educational system Soon thlre will be computers where you heed to operate
in ail classrooms, and they will be used as
routinely as blackboards and pencils and paper are "Even in the home, however, this problem can
today Similarly, employers are making more and arise As we move toward telecommunication sys-
n ore extensive use of computers in all aspects of tems where ordering and bill-payinr.; is carried out
employment Even in daily life, we may soon be through specialized communication links, it will
doing most of our ordering and bill-paying using become necessary for the handicapped individuals
computer terminals and the 'Ike from ou homes In to operate the specific keypads or control panels
all of these cases, however, the software is being on these automatic home communication systems If
written to be operated by individuals who have use standard computer terminals were used, then a
of all senses and fingers As such, they are for specially adapted 'terminal foi the handicapped'
the most part unusable by individuals who have might be usable More likely, towever, due to
various types of physical disabilities Thus security and other consideratiJns, ,cry special-
while we are busy providing handicapped indivi- ized systems will be used 't hen, what could have
dual3 with ways of using a computer to act like a been a very powerful capzioility for handicapped
typewriter, .iencil and paper, or environment con- individuals (remote ordering and billpaying) will
trol system, to parallel the manual activities of instead be available only Zo non-disableo
non-handicapped individuals, the rest of society duals
is busy moving on to the next generation where
many of these activities will be carried out much "Thus, although custom software programs can oro-
more efficiently and effectively in totally off- vide a great number of very useful capabilities to
ferent ways using computer technology Moreover, handicapped individuals, custom software is not
these new ways are designed to make maximum use of enough Access must be provided to the world of
all of the senses and movement patterns of able- standard computers and, most importantly, to the
bodied individuals, and may thus exclude many world of standard software, if computers are in
her dicapped individuals fact to result in a net gain for handicapped
individuals
"So, while the computer is advancing handicapped
individuals two steps through the use of special "The first method that come o mind for providing
programs designed for handir,apped individuals, the access to standard software is to simply modify
computer is advancing everyone else in society the software so that it can also be used by 'Iamb-
five steps Moreover, the five steps are being capped individuals However, this is an extremely
designed in such a way that the handicapped indi- difficult proposition, even when support from the
videal often can not take advantage of them, original software develope s is available Again,
thereby leaving them actually three steps behind for security and commercial reasons, most standard
software is a carefully guarded and protected
"For example, we now find bright physically handi- commodit7, making modification almost impossible
capped individuals being placed in the classroom, Moreover, the software programs are continuously
where half of the clesswork is being done on updated and revised, making it imposs....4 to keep
94

230 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 19114 230


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

handicapped users supplied with a modified ver- tents of the CRT screen corresponding to that
sion. It should be remembered that modifying a portion of the pad are read vocally to him This
single program can cast between $8,000 and system can therefore be used by individuals who
520,000, writing a program from scratch can cost are biinaed later in lite as well as those who are
anywhere from $5,000 to $2,000,000 and up congenitally blind, since it does not require any
learning of special skills, such ac er3lik, etc
Transparent Access
"The problem, however, is not solved yet W Pile
"The only real solution to the problem is there- we iira now coming up with solid solution strate-
fore the ability to provide transparent access to gies to deal with transparent access to keyboards,
computers Transparent access refers to the the computer designers are busy inv, ling non-
ability of the handicapped individual to access keyboard me thous for input to computers Most of
the computer in such a way that the computer these input methods take increased advantage of
program cannot tell in any way that the ...put is the many physical abilities of the non-handicapped
not coming to it in the standard fashion For individual, as a result, they are even more diffi-
example, if a program is written to accept input cult for handicapped individuals to operate than
from the keyboard, the modification must be made the keyboard These input techniques include
in such a way that it is impossible for the 'mice', voice inputs, and body tracking tech-
program to tell that the input is not coming from niques In addition, more complex wdeo displays
the keyboard are being used, with heavy use of graphics and
visual-spatial representation, which will make the
"One technique that can be used is a keyboard task of providing alternate displays for visually
emulator The keyboard emulator is a small module impaired individuals even more difficult The
which is installed inside a computer between its development of new strategies to deal with these
normal keyboard and the rest of the computer Once problems, as well as the raising of the awareness
installed, it does not affect the operation of the level of computer designers to these problems, is
computer in any way The keyboard operates in therefore very important, and needs to be one of
exactly the same fashion as it did before The our highest priorities
emulator, however, provides a small port or plug
point where individuals using specialized communi- o), where do the cu b cuts come in? Let's ima-
cation aids can connect. They can then use their gine for a moment a town where there are only
specialized communication syster- (which they may roads, and no sidewalks of any kind Individuals
operate using eye movements, heuu movements, or in wheelchairs are not allowed on the road, and
sip-and-puff, etc) to generate their 'keystrokes' are therefore trundling their chairs across the
which are then fed to the keyboard emulator The grass This of course is a very difficult acti-
keyboard emulator in turn feeds them into the vity, so they greet with great anticipation and
computer in such a way that it looks as if they Joy discussions about putting little concrete
were actually typed on the computer's keyboard runways along the side of all the roads, on which
With a keyboard emulator installed in a computer, people can walk Although it's clear that these
a wide range of individuals having very different walkways aren't being put in for toe specific
communication aids and input techniques would be benefit of handicapped individuals, it also ap-
able to use the computer and all of its software pears that it will be a tremendous boon to them
without requiring any modifications of any kind to In all the celebration, though, people don't
any software notice that along with the sidewalks come curbs
Thus, when the whole system is in tiled, the
"In a classroom, for example, there might be fif- handicapped individuals find that they are now
teen computers lined up along one wall on which able to move very swiftly around on their own
the students carry out their written assignments, block, but for the most part are unable to access
etc Two of the computers might have keyboard these nice pathways that have been laid throughout
emulators installed in them, and a small 'access' the society Moreover, putting in the paths in-
sticker similar to that found on restrooms placed creased everybody else's ability to get around,
on the computers' cases Any individuals who are thus making the difference bc yeen their mobility
unable to use the standard input keyboard could that much greater They could put ramps on the
then use these two computers and control them sidewalks near their homes, or in the places that
using their specialized communication or writing they go to a lot, but they really need to be ab'e
systems When not being used by handicapped indi- to access all of the little pathways if ,hey are
viduals, these twr computers could be used by to be able to get around and about
anyone else The situation would in fact look
very much like a bathr rem, where one or two stalls "Today, we find ourselves in exactly the same
have been modified for use by handicapped indivi- situation with regard to the area of computers and
duals The difference here would be that the non- information systems Very rapidly, our society is
handicapped individual would not able be to dis- moving toward electronic assisted everytning In
tinguish in any way (except, perhaps, by seeing the process, electronic pathways are being laid
the access sticker) that any type of modifications throughout our society pathways w:lich could
had been made to the system tremendously increase the functional mobility and
capabilities of individuals with physical and
"For visually impaired individuals who cannot use sensory disabilities All of these electronic
the CRT display, substitute displays using tactile information pathways will be of li.tle use, how
and voice output are under discussion and develop- ever, if unrestricted access is not available
ment One proposed system uses a pad about the Patching one or two access points is not suffi-
size of a pad of paper, which the blind indiiidual cient, in the same manner that providing curb
touches Wherever he touches the pad, the con- ramps or ,urb cuts for some of the sidewalks is

231 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1904 231


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

not sufficient GC Vanderheiden This report provides a frame-


work and discussion for comparing micr -.computers
"My message to you today is, let's not wait until as they relate to applications in rehabilitation
all of the sidewalks have been laid and the curbs The report is structured in such a way that it can
poured before we begin talking aLiout curb cuts comparatively evaluate the systems in twins of
It's incredibly expensive to go back and tear costs and functions, and is formatted so that it
everything up to install the curb cuts later can be used to profile and compare other computer
Let's identify the problem and move now so that we systems Information on the IBM PC, Apple Ile,
can pour the curb cuts and provide unrestricted TRS-80 Model 3 and 100, Epson HX 20, Sharp
transparent access while we are laying these elec- 1500/Radio Shack PC2, and HP75 are provided as
tronic pathways examples.

"It is certainly a bright, shiny and dynamic Considerations and Approaches to Modifying and
field The potentials are enormous But as it Designing Terminals to Allow Access by Handicapped
races ahead and continues to evolve it will Individuals to Data Processing Information Re-
be a continuing challenge to make sure that we trieval Systems. G C Vanderheirl..n 1981
maintain open channels of access -- unlimited $2 00 This paper discusses sor .f the poten-
unhandicapped access to these systems and all tials and problems involved in ,King computer
of their s .,"ware This applies not oust to com- terminals and data processing systems available to
puters, but *0 the information systems they are handicapped individuals.
going to generate As we go through our society
developing and creating these wonderful computer International Software/Hardware Registry G C
systems and information h ghways, let's make sure Vanderheiden and L. Walstead $15 00 Program
we don't forget to build the means to access them and adaptations for microcomputers to facilitate
at the same time" their use by handicapped individuals Section 1
of the registry and listing provides a one-page
Gregg C. Vanderheiden, Trace R&D Center on Commu- description and a cross-reference listing of pro-
nication, Control, and Computer Access for Handi- grams which have been written or adapted for use
capped Individuals, University of Wisconsin- by individuals with hand,caps. Each one-page
Madison entry includes a description of the program, the
computer used, memory required, language used,
Excerpted from a Keynote Speech at the Indiana accessories required, and current status and
Governor's Conference on the Handicapped, October availability Section 2 contains selected soft-
13, 1983 ware that is not written for use by handicapped
individuals, but which is particularly useful in
COMPUTER-RELATED INFORMATION FROM offsetting their special needs. Section 3 pro-
THE TRACE CENTER vides a one-page categorical listing of special
hardware modules and adaptors to facilitate use of
The Trace Center has a 10-page listing of publica- microcomputers by handicapped individuals. Section
tions related to communication and computer ac- 4 provides additional notes on adaptations and
cess These publications, available from the tips on the use of microcomputers by handicapped
Trace Center, are individuals. However, if you are looking for
information on controls, switches, mounting, ac-
Access Problems with Computer-Based Services cessible accessories, etc, you won't find them in
E J Desaut vLs October 1983 Published by the the Registry, please refer to the Non-Vocal Commu-
tlAiversity of Wisconsin, Department of Computer nication Rescurce Book from the Trace Center, the
Sciences, Technical Report #516 16 pages Auto- Rehab Sourcebook, or the Guide to Controls from
mated library services which students intqrrogate Children's Hospital at Stanford, and to the sec-
through computer terminals are becoming common- tions on CONTROLS, COMMUNICATION, and ENVIRON-
place This report examines the situation at the MENTAL CONTROL for references on these topics
University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, and ana-
lyzes the general computer access problem in lib- Practical Application of Microcomputers to Aid the
raries as it impacts upon severely handicapped Handicapped G.0 Vanderheiden January 1981
students $1 00 Microcomputers are providing rehabilita-
tion engineers with powerful tools for designing
Blissapple Description $ 15 lone copy free) cost-effective assistive &wises Potentials,
This is a brief descriptive overview of the Bliss- approaches, and current shortcomings are dis-
apple program, including a listing of the hardware cussed
necessary to implement the program, the capabili
ties of the program, mid some applications These publications are (Available from Repont
Service, Trace Center, 314 Weisman Center. 1500
Blissapple Program $35 00 (Manual only Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705 Prepaid,
$20.00) This program allows a standard Apple U S dollars only, payable to "University of Wis-
microcomputer to function as a Blissymbol writing consinMadison "
device The program is on a 5" floppy disk The
price includes the program, a special "fix" disk
to allow the program to be double-booted, and a
2 3-page manual

Comparison of Apple, Epson, IBM, Microcomputers


for Applications in Rehabilitati,;.-. Systems for
Persons with Physical Handicap- Revision D, 1984

232 TECHNOLOGY 'FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCENOOK RESNA 1984 232


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

USING A COMPUTER WHEN YOU CANNOT USE ITS STANDARD KEYBOARD

The Trace Center provided the answer to the fol- is if it is impossible through any software means
lowing question. If you are still a little naive to tell the difference between the handicapped
about computers and don't understand all the individual using the keyboard and using his spe-
jargon, please refer to the glossary in any of the cial interface To accomplish this, a keyboard
mass market "intro to computer" books emulator could be used This emulator would r:ug
into the computer between the keyboari and the
How can I use a computer if I can't use its stan- co- ^ .ter, and would look electrically identir,al to
dard keyt oard? the keyboard The handicapped individual would
use whatever communication aid or interfa "e was
At the present time, there are four basic ap- most appropriate The output of the aid would ue
proaches for using a microcomputer or large com- fed into the keyboard emul.-^or, which would then
puter, even if y.0 have difficulty with the feed it into the computer as if it had beeil typed
standard keyboard on the keyboard By using a keyboard emulator,
therefore, an individual on a scanning aid, for
1) Custom Software example, would be able to use any standard soft-
ware written to be operated by the keyboard of
There are a number Jf custom software programs that computer (Programs which used game paddles
which have been written or adapted fcr use by or push buttons would require game paddle or push
handicapped individuals Some of these programs button emulator capability as well I Because the
require as little as one switch to operate These individual would be able to do anything from his
programs generally run on the standard computer "keyboard" that anyone else could do from the
with little or no midification They allow the normal keyboard, he/she would be able to write
handicapped individual to use the computer for pr-grams for the computer as well as run existing
these programs, but, since the computer can only programs
run one program at a time, it is not possible to
use these programs to control other standard com- Use of a keyboard emulator does not affect the
puter programs normal uses of the computer in any way The
normal computer keyboard remains active and func-
Some of the new operating systenis, however, are tional at all times, whether the keyboard emulator
allowing options which allow you to specify you is being used or not Thus, installation of a
want the "keyboard" input to come from in such a keyboard emulator in a computer allows access to
way that it does not affect the operation of the the computer by handicapped individuals using
rest of the computer or the use of the computers special aids, but does not in any way degrade the
screen for the display If a serial input port is function of the computer fcr non-handicapped
specified as the "keyboard" in this fashion, it users
provides the equivalent of a "keyboard emulator",
ar described below (*his emulator, howt. Per, will Commercially Available Keyboard Emulators
only work with software designed to run on these
operating systems Several keyboard emulators are currently avail-
able ?rentko Romich Company (PRC) makes one
2) Modification to the System Software which is designed to work with their Express com-
munication aids This keyboard emulator uses a
This approach involves changing tne firmware two-wire serial ASCII input on a 1/4" phone lack
(fixed software) which other programs use to read Although designed to work with the Express aids,
the keyboard, etc One could modify the BIOS in a this e.-iulator can also be used by ot.ler serial
CP /M system, for example Any software used in output communication aids No "busy" line is
the CP/M system thereafter could end up getting provided, the sending aid must therefore be care-
its input from a special interface whenever it ful to not send characters faster than the com-
asked for the input from the keyboard This ap- puter expecting them, or they will be lost
proach would theoretically allow the handicapped This emulator has a switch which allows it to be
individual to use any standard software written used with aids having standard RS-232 output as
for the microcomputer and opeiating system well as with the Express aids PRC currently has
Unfortunately, there are many pieces of software keyboard emulators available for the ..pple II,
which use tricks of various kinds to increase Apple Ile, Atari, and IBM
their speed or flexibility These tricks often
rely on an unmodified operating system or circum- ZYGO also has an Apple keyboard emulator It can
vent the or crating system (or monitor routines) also be used on the Franklin Ace This emulator
As a result, these software system modifications works only with the ZYGO communication aids, and
provide only a partial solution, and work with has a special connector which interfaces directly
only an unpredictable subset of the software for to the connector on the side of the ZYGO aids
any given microcomputer At the present time, no Since the ZYGO is not normally able to put out
good patches or modified software systems have full words, the keyboard emulator has been de-
been identified As thL y are identified, tha, signed to handle or provide some full-word com-
will be listed in the Software/Hardware Res,stry mands in addition to sirgle characters le 9,
"CATALOG", "R,N", etc 1 ZYGO also has the TETRA-
3) Keyboard Emulators SCAN aid, which is a special scanning computer
Interface which includes its own keyboard emula-
About the only way to guarantee that a handicapiiier: tor Other related products are also in the
individual will be able to use standard software A"' A...1 works

233 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1964


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

The Trace Center is currently working on a series (for multi-switch encoding) The card plugs into
of keyboard emulators The e emulators are being slot 7 in the microcomputer, where it is the first
designed to allow access to a broad range of to be scanned at start-up The card has a key-
commonly used computers and terminals Wherevn board emulator built into It which allows it to
possible, these modules will support a "busy" line control standard software The card also has an
to allow communication aids to send out complex interface box which mcnints to the side of the
command strings to computers These emulators Apple and allows users to connect special key-
will then meter the commands to the computer as it boards, switches, etc, to the firmware card, and
is ready to receive each successive command or use them for input
keystroke
The firmware card has all of its programs stored
The interface card by Paul Schwejda (see below) in ROM on the card itself Thus, it uses no space
also has a keyboard emulating capability in addi- in the computer for its programs In addition, it
tion to us other input modes has sufficient RAM on-board to be able to run its
programs completely independently from the Apple
Johns Hopkins University has also developeJ a system RAM Because the card is almost completely
Morse code interface which has a built-in keyboard transparent (i e, cannot be "seen" by the com-
emulator This unit is now being marketed by puter), and does not use or alter the main memory,
Medical Equipment Distributors in Chicago It is the card can he used with most software without
designed to be used with the Apple II Plus modification to the software
computer
It does use some CPU time, however, and could
For further information on these and other key- throw off programs with critical timing loops
board emulators, see the International Soft- One interesting use of the ability to Interrupt
ware/Hardware Registry the CPU would be to slow the program down by
simply stealing a significant portion of the CPU
4) Parasitic, Transparent Systems with Integral time Through this mechanism, the firmware card
Keybcard Emulators allows users to slow programs down from their
ordinary speed, which is occasionally faster than
The previous section described the use of keyboard the handicapped individual would des:re
emulators with independent communication aids
They could also be independent interface systems PLEASE NOTE that there are two different versions
which are physically built into the same box as of the Paul Schwejda Adaptive Firmware Card, one
the computer, but which have their own intelli- for the Apple II Plus and one for the Apple He
gence, display, etc This is the most straight-
forward and fool-proof method to provide the han- Software Approach
dicapped individual with a means for controlling
the computer in a way that will still allow the The second example involves a purely software
use of stanaard, unmodified software approach to the problem, although a softwcre-
hardware implementation could evolve This work
There are ways of accomplishing the same basic involves the modification of the operating system
objective, however, without using fully indepen- to implement other input routines besides the key-
dent systems These techniques, however, in order board This pure software approach is possible
lc carry out their task of being compatible with due to the design and structure of the operating
all software, must exist within the computer with- system Unfortunately, many programs currently go
out a) taking up any memory space, without b) around the operat,ng system in the computers
altering the state of any portion of the con- : Ater, Thus, the modifications we make for computer ac-
and without c) using up any CPU time Sin:,- it is cess would be ignored, and many programs would not
impossible to do all three of thec things, none be accessible Also, frequent updates to the
of the techniques in this category will work with operating systems by the computer companies could
all software The amount of software w " Nhich make "patches" obsolete Work is continuing in
they will work is purely dependent upon ow this area in coordination with the software/
cleverly they are implemented In gener i, they comput - companies themselves to see if solutions
are not as good a solution as using a keyboard can be developed
emulator and having the second computes or a ci,m-
munication aid do the actual interfacing with tr.e Summary
handicapped individual Techniques in this cate-
gory can, however, be less expensive than having a There are several ways to interface Apples and
second independent computer/aid other computers to handicapped individuals Some
of these involve modification of the actual soft-
Two different efforts in this area should serve as ware Others involve modification of the hard-
examples One effort is the Adaptive Firmware ware The best approaches are the one which allow
Card by Paul Schwejda, in Seattle, Washington The the computer systems to use standard software
second is a project under development at the Trace These approaches open up a much wider spectrum of
Center materials and opportunity to the handicapped indi-
vidual They also allow the individual to actual-
Paul Schwejda's Adaptive Firmware Card is designed ly program the computer himself
to be used with the Apple microcomputer It pro-
vides several different input modalities, The best ovotiall approach to the problem is the
including 1) assisted keyboard (for one-finger or use of a well-designed keyboard emulator Such '.n
mouthstick operation), 2) various types of scan- emulator would in fact be transparent (invisible
ning (for single-switch input), and 3) marse code to the computer), and would allow the use of all
/
0.., ).J
234 TECHOOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCESOOK RESNA 11M4 234
MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

standard software and hardware accessories which


are developed for the given computer The key-
board emulator can be fed from anothe' communica- According to the editor of "Network N3WS,"
tior o from another microcomputer Fior
eAample, a small (inexpensive) microcomputer with "The more often a company is asked how to modify
a custom program written specifically for that their brand of microcomputer for si.ecific popula-
individual (or tha.t individual's type of handicap) tions and uses, the more likely that company will
could be used with a keyboard emulator in order to be to incorporate transparent access into the
allow the individual to access any standard soft- design of their machines Additional effort oi-
ware on a s6,:ond microcomputer To do this, the the part of physically disabled individuals and
two computers wou,,,i not necessarily have to be the those professionals working with them may be re-
same make or model of computer, nor even from the qJired to keep the interests of physically dis-
same manufacturer One computer could therefore abled individuals and other disabled persons in
be chosen to provide the characteristics and cepa- the awareness of microcomputer manufacturers and
Wines to best match the user's interfaze needs software producers Computer manufacturers can be
and abilities at an optimum price The second contacted by writing
computer would be chosen to have the capabilities
and characteristics necessary to run the types of "APPLE COMPUTER INC, Education Division, 20525
programs or utilize the types of standard software Mariam Drive, Cupertino CA 95014, (408)996-1010
that the individual is most interested in using
"ATARI, INC, Home Computer Division, P 0 Box
For more information on this topic area, see 61657, Sunny /ale, CA 94086, (800)538-8547
"Computers Can Play A Dual Role," available from
the Trace Center Reprint Service or from the "IBM/IBM-PC/IBM- PC JR , Educational Marketing,
September 1982 issue of BYTE Magazine P 0 Box 1328, Boca Raton, FL 33432, (404)238-
2208
The best way to keep up with the latest develop-
ments in this area would be to check the Hardware "COMMODORE BUSINESS MACHINES, INC, 1200 Wlson
section of the International Software/Hardware Drive, West Che ter, PA 19380, (215)431-9100
Registry This Registry lists special intertnce
programs and hardware modules as they become "RADIO SHACK, P 0 Box 2625, Fort Worth, TX
available 76113, (817)390-3700

Addresses of urganizatons cited in this article "Network News" is a newsletter published by the
Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network
Medical Equipment Distributors Illinois Special Needs Population, Turner Hall
1701 South Is, Avenue 205, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
Maywood, IL 61761, Volume 6, #3, Special Edition 1984
312/681-2828

Prentke Romich Company


8769 Township Road 513
Shreve, OH 44676
216/567-2906

Paul Schweida
Adaptive Peripherals
4529 Bagley Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103

Trace R&D Center


1500 Highland Avenue
314 Weisman Center
Madison, WI 53705

ZYGO Industries
P 0 Box 1008
Portland, OR 97207
503/297-1724

235 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 19E4 235


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS F0',1 DISABLED PEOPLE

Just because an information source has "computer" Computer Technology for the Handicapped in Special
and "a word related to disability" in the title Education and Rehabilitation. A Resource Guide
does not mean that it will meet your needs. Nave, G.. Browning, P, & Carter, J. Eugene,
Oregon University of Oregon, International Coun-
Computer applications for the disability field c.l for Computers i,i Education, 135 Education,
seem to fall into 12 major areas These are best 97403, January, 1(183 190 pages, $7 00 prepaid
represented in a generic model (below) of computer This manuscript provides a means for interested
applications for handicapped persons from Computer persons to become informed about the newly emer-
Applications for the Handicapped in Special Educa- ging computer technology and its potential for
tion and Rehabilitation. A Resource Guide improving the lives of physically and developmen-
tally disabled individuals It is a comprehensive
it has become increasingly important to understand bibliography comprised of 191 annotated references
the potential of computers in our lives. But on computers for handicapped persons The refer-
hefore investing your time and money in books or ences, over half of which have been published
courses Gil Computers and the Disabled, make sure since 1980, were drawn from more than 60 different
you are going to gain the type of knowledge you periodicals, books, monographs, reports, and con-
are seeking, e g, if you are looking for special ference proceedings A detailed descriptive nar-
hardware and software useful in the classroom for rative is provided for each reference As
a child with a high spinal cord injury, you are reflected in the subject index, the materials
unlikely to find it in a book that gives wonderful cover a wide range of topical areas, e g, Com-
references to computer assisted instruction (CAI) puter Assisted Instruction, Functional Aids,
materials for learnno disabled kids In your Microcomputer Application, Service Delivery,
enthusiasm to plt..y into the world of high tech, be Management, and Research. These and other major
advised to be more selective than this writer was content headings are further subdivided For
-- or you, too, will have a shelf of useful books example, subsumed under the Disability/Handicap
that are mostly useless to you (Editor) heading are the subcategories of autism, cerebral
palsy, deaf, developmentally disabled, emotionally
handicapped, learning disabled, minimally brain
The publications listed below could help guide you damaged, mentally retarded, nonvocal, physical/
through this wealth of information, and help point general, quadriplegic, and severely disabled
to the knowledge you seek
Consumer Reports has an excellent series of art-
An Annotated Bibagraphy Comps. -s and the icles on computer selection for the general pub-
Physically Handicapped, 1981-1983 Available from lic They are usually available at your local
ACM Special Interest Group on Computers and the library (The Library of Congress publishes Con-
Physically Handicapped, Association for Computing sumer Reports on sound sheets)
Machinery, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY
10036 Microcomputer Resource Book for Special Education
Dolores Hagen 1984 224 pp $15 95 Almost
A Beginner's Guide to Personal Computers for the one third of the book is devoted to a series of
Blind and Visually Impaired National Braille appendices which provide information about more
Press, 88 St Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115 than two hundred publishers of software products
100 pages $12 00 This book is written for Products are groups by disability area and de-
puople who don't know anything about computers taileu information is provided about each pro-
It offers guidelines for buying software, defini- gram's use Management programs, information on
tions of computer terminology and jargon, a review hardware including adaptive devices, and resources
of six talking microcomputers and a chapter list- on LOGO are also included Highly readable for
ing information on manufacturer-, compute- clubs parents and teachers
and other useful resources for personal computer
shoppers

A generic Model of Computer Applications for Handicapped Persons

Education Rehabilitation
instruction Management Functional Aids
Student/ TeacheriSerwe Cr wnrnurucation indcr'"i'
Chem Prowidei Liofq
Physical
Disability
Developmental
Disability

from "Computer Technology 'or the Handicapped in Special Education and


Rehabilitation- A Resource Guide"

1 ,)
238 TECHNOLOGY MR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1914 236
MICROCOMPUTER APPUCATIONS

Microcomputers in Special Education Selection and CU. RINGHOUSES AND CATALOGS


Decision Making Process Florence M Taber
1983 112 pp $7 95 Provides the kind of in The Council for Exceptional Children, 1920 Asso-
formation and guidance school administrators and ciation Drive, Reston, VA 22091, 703/620-3660
other decision makers need before committing them-
selves to a given microcomputer system Consider- A Directory of Microcomputer Software t Dr the
ations related to software evaluation, hardware, Disabled, Timothy Field, Editor Elliot & F itz-
and inservice education are covered, including patrick. Inc, PO Box 1054, Athens, GA 30603
rating forms and questionnaires 1983

Personal Computers and the Disabled, A Resource HHDB Online Courseware Directory Handl-House
Guide. Apple Computer, Inc, has prepared this CAI, 69 Winchester Avenue, Spruce Grove, Alberta
document as a public service to stimulate research TOE 2CO3 Canada 403/962-3933 Nardi -House CAI
into personal computer applications for the dis- is a division of DSS Decision Support Systems
abled. "This guide brings together a range of Limited, and was formed in 1982 as a computer
ideas and information to help people use personal software clearing house for individuals experi-
computers in applications designed especially for encing handicaps The clearinghouse responds to a
the disabled In it you'll find feature articles need for centralized information, consulting,
on how the computer is helping the disabled to evaluation, and registration of suppliers of com-
overcome obstacles that once limited career oppor- puter-aided instruction programs matched to users
tunities and Job performance You'll also find
articles on how the computer is helping indivi- Nandi -House offers an inquiry answering service by
duals communicate even when motor and speech func- which clients are provided with a list of software
tions ale severely impaired Some are using per- and suppliers matched to individual needs and
sonal computers to tap then creativity in art, equipment Information requests are maintained
writing, and computer programming for one year, during which new updates will be
sent to clients as additional software becomes
"If you ar.: a software developer, original equip- available. Additionally, its software customizing
ment manufacturer, or computer dealer, this guide service includes the provisioning and modification
will introduce you to specific personal computer of software on a time and materials cost basis
products and applications for the disabled If
you're already workmy on applications for the Data sources include other clearing houses,
handicapped, this guide provides a way for you to authors, personal computer suppliers, Ibraries,
let others know what you are doing " data bases, government agencies, research centers
and educatois
This booklet has an excellent resource directory
listing people and organizations active in the The Handicapped's Source, A division of Computabi-
area of personal computers for the disabled A lity Corp J A Reston Corporation, 60 Page Road,
free copy of the Resource Guide is available from Clifton, NJ 07012, 800/631-7277, 201/777-2700
your local Apple computer dealer, or contact Apple This catalog offers descriptions of personal com-
Computer, 20525 Mariam Ave. Cupertino, CA 95014 puters, hardware, software, peripherals, and the
services available to the disabled individual and
Personal Computers and Special Needs Dr Frank those who assist them through rehabilitation and
Bowe In bookstores and computer stores, or care services
available from Sybex Computer Books, 2344 Sixth
Street, Berkeley, CA 94710, 8O0/277-2346 $9 95 The MECC Educational Computing Catalog Minnesota
June 1984 Educational Computing Consortium, 3490 Lexington
Avenue North, St Paul, MN 55112 612/638-0627
Personal Computers Serving People A Guide to Contains a complete listing of courseware deve-
Human Service Applications, by Robert Lavine loped by MECC for the Apple II personal computer
Hawkins and Associates, Inc, Washington, DC, and the Atari home computer Containing a wide
1980 Includes an overview of hardware and soft- range -f sections, it includes one on special
ware and chapters dealing with personal computers education which describes several programs parti-
in rehabilitation, :ducation, creative art, and cularly suited to handicapped students
recreation and leisure, selection of a personal
computer, recommended readings, other information Trace Center International Software/Hardware
sources, and a directory of manufacturers Registry, Gregg Vanderheiden & Lottie Walstead,
eds Trace R&D Center, University of Wisconsin-
Signs for Computing Technology National Associa- Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
tion of the Deaf Book Store, 814 Thayer Avenue, 508/262-6966 $1500 plus $278 postage &
Silver Spring, MD 20910 $10 95 plus $1 50 for handling 1983 Updated second edition, July
postage and handling This book lists signs for 1984
more tir 600 computing terms The book will
assist deaf people working in the computer in-
dustry, as well as managers and co-workers who
want to facilitate technical communication with
their deaf peers The book will also be helpful
for data processing instructors teaching deaf
students

Also see the Trace Center Publications which have


already appeared in this section

237 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1904 237


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

NEWSLETTERS Re Able is a br-monthly newsletter on computer-


assisted living published for the professional
community and the disabled Re Able explores the
BAUD is the newsletter of the Blind Apple Users newest in computer equipment and new technology
Group. It is available from Joe Giovanelli, 1158 Each issue details advances in equipment and ap-
Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714, phone plications, with emphasis on the usefulness to the
516/433-0171 disabled Evaluations of hardware and software,
products, books, and resources provide the profes-
The Bulletin of Science and Technology for the sional with information vital to serving the dis-
Handicapped, American Association for the ldvance- abled Subscriptions are $18 per year ($21
ment of Science, 1776 Massachusetts Ave, Washing- overseas) Send to Re Able, P 0 Box 384,
ton, DC 20036 No charge Bellflower, California 90706

The Catalyst Western Center for Microcomputers Sensory Aids Technology Update is a monthly news-
in Special Education, 1259 El Camino Real, Suite letter on technology and employment issues con-
275, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 415/326-6997 Sub- cerning disabled people This new publication is
scriptions Organizations $20 00, Individuals a rich source of information on technology appli-
$12 00 cations It is particularly valuable to people
looking for information on sensors aids (hearing
Communication Outlook is an international publica- and vision), but is also useful for other types of
tion which provides a forum for individuals in- technology It has features on new products,
terested in the application of techniques and aids special employment, education and training pro-
for people who expbience communication handicaps grams, unusual applications of technology, and new
due to neurological or neuromuscular conditions developments in research New publications and
It is a cross-disciplinary information source and interesting audiovisual programs are regularly
regularly has articles related to microcomputer reviewed, and each month the product comparison
applications. Subscriptions cost $12 ($15 outs de section profiles similar devices It includes
North America), are available from Artificial news from overseas. The articles are concise, and
Language Laboratory, Michigan State University, include references to guide you to further infor-
East Lansing, MI 48824 mation A typical issue includes Accessing dedi-
cated word j rocessors, Financing adaptive aids,
Closing the Gap is a bimonthly newsletter aimed Project Partnership; Equipment demo centers for
specifically at the use of computers for handi- hearing impaired, Apple software customized for
capped persons The newsletter covers hardware, speech output (December, 1983) A one-year sub-
software reviews and articles on computers as they scription to Update is $30 00, available from
affect handicapped people in education, indepen- Sensory Aids Foundation, 399 Sherman Avenue, Suite
dent living and employment Subscriptions are 12, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
$15 00 per year in the U S, $22.00 per year
Canada and Mexico, and $33 00 per year in all SIGCAPH Newsletter A quarterly publication of
other countries Write to Closing the Gap, Route the ACM Special Interest Group on Computers and
2, Box 39, Henderson MN 56044 Phone (612)665- the Physically Handicapped, print and tape cas-
6573 sette versions Association for Computing Machi-
nery, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
Link and Go is published by the Committee on
Personal Computers and the Handicapped (COPH-2), a
part of the Illinois Congress of Organizations of MASS MARKET COMPUTER MAGAZINES
the Physically Handicapped (COPH) Its pu:pose is
to search out, evaluate, and share information BYTE, Volume 7, No 9, September, 1982 BYTE
about personal computer systems as relevant to the Publications, Inc, P 0 Box 328, Hancock, NH
person with disabilities in its membership A 03443 $3 70 The theme in the September 1982
major stance of its founders is that COPH-2 is a issue is "Computers and the Disabled" Gregg
mainstreaming effort which will enable persons Vanderheiden discusses how "Computers Can Play a
with disabilities to use the same computer tech- Dual Role for the Disabled," r_md with co-author
nologies with the same attitudes as The public-at- Paul Schwejda demonstrates how to make an "Adap-
large The newsletter is an excellent information five Firmware Card for ',ne Apple II", David
resource Quarterly, $8 00, which includes mem- Stoffel reviews talking terminals for the blind
bership dues Available from COPH-2, 2030 West ard William L Rush evaluates the Abilityphone, a
Irving Park Road, Chicago IL 60618 for nonvocal communication, Patrick Dernasco
and Richard Foulds show how the Panasonic Hand-
gamed Dot Computing Newsletter This monthly Held Co:nputer can be used as a communication de-
newsletter focires on personal computer applica- vice in "A New Horizon for Nonvocai Communication
tions !or the blind It includes information on Devices", Stove Ciarcia brings you his latest
the use of low-cost Braille devices, voice syn- speech-synthesis system in "Build the Microvox
thesizers, paperless Braille, and the use of mic- Text-to-Sper h Synthesizer Part 1 The Hard-
rocomputers in Braille translation In addition, ware", Dr William Murray reviews The Cognivox VI-
the newsletter supplies technical notes and infor- 1003, a speech-recognition system, Bruce Baker
mation on the use of software and hardware pro- discusses his highly original Minspeak associative
ducts that extend the performance of Braille-Edit, memory system for portable speech synthesis and
a product of Raised Dot Computing Print or cudio Alfred Fant, Jr shows you how to use a line
subscriptions are available from Raised Dot Com- printer to produce Braille In case you're
puting, attn David Kolladay, 310 S 7th Street, thinking of marketing your own computerized aid,
Lewisburg, PA 17837 717/523-6739 see BYTE' cdEripts, of the FDA's regulations con-
,

238 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 238


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

cerning medical devices target, 1142 Elmlea Drive, Glouster, (War,


Canada K1J 6V0 613/993-0475 An overview of new
Computer, Volume 14, No 1, January, 1981 IEEE programs, accessories and communication aids that
Computer Society, 10662 Los Vaqueros Circle, Los work with the Apple II and other personal com-
Alamitos, CA 90720, 714/821-8380 This issue puters to help the physically disabled The
carried the overall title "Computing and the Han- articles were presented in June, 1982, in Ontario,
dicapped" Articles included "Computing and the Canada, at a Tutorial sponsored by the Biomedical
Handicapped Guest Editor's Introduction," Paul Engineering Research Program A sampling of the
Hazan, "Computing and the Handicapped A Promising 16 articles contained in the guide include "Inter-
Alliance," Margaret J riiannini. "Computing and faces for Physically Handicapped Persons" by J R
the Handicapped. The Challenge in Education," Charbonneau, 'The Handicapped Typewriter" by Sim°,
Henry J Blaszczyk, "Intelligent Prosthetic Cox and Bill Smith, and "The Application of the
Devices," M A. Rahimi, "Communication Devices Apple Microcomputer as an Augmentative Communica-
for the Nonvocal Disabled," Andre, Thomas, "A tion Aid for the Non-Vocal Physically Handicapped"
Computer-Aided Robotic Arm/Worktable System for by Penny Parnes and Kathy Lee
the High-Level Quadriplegic," Wolfger Schneider,
Gerhard Schmeisser, and Woodrow Seamone, "Rehabi- Computers and the Handicapped Workshop, Canadian
litation and the Handicapped Programmer," Robert Medical and Biological Engineering, Society Secre-
J Leneway and Billy R Montgomery, and "Practical tariat, 1142 Elmlea Drive, Glouster, Ontario
Application of Microcomputers to Aid the Handi- Canada K1J 6V9 613/993-0475 This publication
capped," Gregg C Vanderheiden compiles the results of the Workshop on Computers
and the Handicapped held in June, 1982, in
Ontario, Canada ,he pL.rpose of the Workshop was
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINCS to present new developments in the use of personal
computers for the handicapped, and to address many
Computers for the Disabled Conference Papers of the problems and limitations in this field A
Edited by Janet E Roehl, Ph D Available from sampling of the 17 aiticles that appear in the
Materials Development Center, Stout Vocational guide includes "Choosing a Dedicated Communication
Rehabilitation Institute, School of Education and Device vs a Personal Computer What Are the Dif-
Human Services, University Wisconsin-Stout, ferences and What Difference Does It Make?" by
Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751 1984 Shirley McNaughton, "Technical and Social Implica-
tions of Computer Use by the Handicapped Consumer"
"This conference provided teachers, administra- by Patricia and John Israel, and "Impact of Low-
tors, counselors, government personnel, research- Cost Microcomputer Technology for the Blind" by
ers, purveyors of computer technology, and persona Ian Lowrie
with disabilities an excellent opportuniti to
learn about the advances made :n computer tech- Proceedings of The Jowls Hopkins First National
nology that are impacting special education and Search for Applications of Personal Computing to
vocational rehabilitation today Aid the Handicapped, October 31, 1981, The Insti-
tute of Electrical and t.lectronics Engineers, Inc
"The conference was held September 12-14, 1983 in (IEEE/ Computer Society, New York, New York 30
Minneapolis, Minnesota. There were over 500 par- pages 1981 Available from IEEE Computer Soci-
ticipants, 60 presentations, 40 exhibitors, and ety, P 0 Box 80452, Worldway Postal Center, Los
three keynote addre.es Angeles, CA 90080 A national search for applica-
tions of personal computing to aid the handicapped
"The Conference Papers offer an abundance of new was carried out by the Johns Hopkins University
ideas, research findings, and innovations that Applied Physics Laboratory This one-year program
were presented at Discovery '83 Part I includes was sponsored by grants from the National Science
the three keynote addresses They were given by Foundation and Radio Shack, A Division of Tandy
Dr Douglas A Fenderson, Director, National Corporation Professionals, amateurs, and stu-
Institute of Handicapped Research, United States dents were invited to present their ideas and
Department of Education, Dr Gregg Vanderheiden, concepts, leading to ten winners tieing selected by
Director, Trace Research and Development Center a panel of Judges in each of ten Federal Regions
for the Severely Communicatively Handicapped of the United States, as well as ten prizes
University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Mr Thomas awarded on a national level One important output
Shworles, Chairpeison, Committee on Personal Com- from this contest was the increased awareness by
puters and the Handicapped ICOPH-2), Illinois technical computer personnel of the problems and
Council of Organizations of Physically Handi- needs of the handicapped
capped These addresses are printed in order of
appearance The sources of the hardware and software resulting
from this contest are difficult to locate The
"Part II is the papers presented during the three Trace Center International Hardware /Software
day conference These include reports of research Registry now includes all hardware and software
activity in computer usage, papers detailing the that was reported in this document and is known to
modification of hardware and Goftware, as well as be currently available
designing of new products The general interest
areas were deaf and hearing impaired, blind and
vision impaired, physically handicapped, learning The Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engi-
disabled, and EMT-TMH" neering (IEEE) Computing Society has committed
itself to furthering the use of computer tech-
Computers and the Handicapped Tutorial, Canadian nology for aids for the handicapped by creating a
Medical and Biological Engineering, Society Secre- Technical Committee ITC) on Computing and the

TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIV4145 SOURCESOOK RESNA 1944 239


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Handicapped, and by supporting such activities as


the Johns Hopkins National Search Workshops have
been held annually, and proceedings are available

Proceedings of the IEEE Computer Society Workshop


on Computing to Aid the Handicapped, November 4-5,
1982, Charlottesville, Virginia Available from
IEEE Computer Society, P.0 Box 80452, Worldway
Postal Center, Los Angeles, CA 90080

Proceedings of the IEEE Computer Society Workshop


on Computers in the Education and Employment of
the Handicapped, November 3-4, 1983, Minneapolis,
Minnesota Sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society
TC on Computing and the Handicapped, ACM-SIGCAPH,
and IEEE TC on Computers in Education, in coopera-
tion with Control Data Corporation, Minneapolis,
Minnesota Purchase from Everett L. Johnson,
Chairman, TC Electrical Engineering Department,
Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas 67208

For information on the 1984 conference, which is


scheduled for November 8-9, 1984, in Wichita,
Kansas, contact Dr Elmer Hover, Wichita State
University, University Box 44, Wichita, Kansas
67208.

This conference will provide a forum for interac-


tion between those involved in the use of compu-
ters in special education and those designing the
hardware and courseware. Proceedings are also
expected to be available from this meeting.

Proceedings of the National Conference on the Use


of Microcomputers in Special Education, Hartford,
Connecticut, March 1983. Michael M. Behrmann,
Editor, Liz Lahm, Assistant Editor 1984 Ap-
prox. 200 pp. $20.00. The Proceedings from CEC's
First National Conference on the Use of Microcom-
puters in Special Education was undertaken to
provide state of the art information on the appli-
cation of microcomputer technology to special
educators. Presentations are grouped thematically
in five major sections Section I is an overview
and includes the two keynote presentations, the
material from the special continuing education
training, aud other presentations of general in-
terest Section II, on Management, includes com-
puter assisted management and computer managed
instruction. Section III, the teacher training
section, is directed specially toward teacher
literacy in the use of microcomputers Section IV
includes material on training children in computer
literacy and presents some instructional uses with
exceptional children Section V, Computers as
Tools, presents papers that show how computers can
be used as took by handicapped individuals In-
formation about commercial resources gathered from
conference exhibitors is also included

....., ) ,. ,

240 TECI4N0i.06: FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEROOK RESNA 19S4 240

IZZIONilmoricsk
MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

ELECTRONIC INFORMATION EXCHANGE NETWORKS


Model Projects for Local Disability-Related
Networks
A newsletter for those involved in electronic mail
systems is Hendi- Communications Quarterly news- CHIP Network, 222C View Street, Mountain View, CA
letter for Working Group 65 (Computer Message 94041 415/968-8798 The Community Health Infor-
Systems) of IFIP (International Federation for mation Project (CHIP) is developing a permanent
Information Processing), Julian Davies, Editor microcomputer-based network called WellNet This
Published at the Department of Computer Science, information exchange, based on Apple computers and
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Communitree electronic bulletin board software,
Canada N6A 5B7 519/679-3569 or 519/679-6016 will form the basis of a larger network that will
Annual subscription $500 Canadian in Canada, link rehabilitation groups, health-service organi-
$5 00 US elsewhere Single issues $1.50 This zations, and disabled groups and individuals in
newsletter is devoted to the topic of computer the Santa Clara Valley and eventually the Bay
Area The network will include a transportation
communication systems and their use by or fcr
handicapped people It is published for those bulletin board (ride board), consumer evaluations
concerned that the needs of the handicapped be met of products and services, calendars, attendant
rt to is, international programs, health care
in the design and provision of computer message aids, and services to buy, sell, or barter Well-
systems. The main focus for Nandi-Communications Net currently involves four California-based orga-
is in Computer Based Message Systems (commonly nizations. CHIP in Mountain View, Physically
known as "electronic mail") They will cover Limited Services at DeAnza College in Cupertino,
other aspects of telecommunications for handi- Center for Independence for the Disabled in Bel-
capped people that have a bearing on message mont, and United Corebral Palsy in Palo Alto
systems, such as terminal design A hard-copy
distribution :s the only medium available ini- DEAFP:',T. See SENSORY AIDS section
tially, but proposals to arrange distribution in
other forms are welcome In particular, the text "Land of Ah's" Network, Topeka Independent Living
can be made available in computer-readable form,
Resource Center, 42i Southeast Winfield, Topeka,
and could be distributed electronically KS 66607 913/233-6323 The "Land or Ah's"
Network is currently under developme,it by four
agencies in the state of Kansas This Apple-
Large Networks
computer-based network will allow the disabled
throughout the state of Kansas to share informa-
These large networks also provide a means of tion, resources, and technical assistance on inde-
information exchange for disabled people pendent living In addition, disabled volunteers
will be trained to operate and niaintain the infor-
Compuserve, 5000 Arlington Center Blvd . P 0 Box mation network, enabling them to become know-
20212, Columbus, OH 43220 800/848-E199 ledgeable in areas of computer technology It
In addition to a wide range of general informa- will also increase their potential for employment
tion, financial data. games, newspapers and a Agencies developing the network include the Topeka
travel bureau, CompuServe offers c database es- Independent living Rftrource Center, Independence
pecially designed for disabled computer users Living Resou ..e Center, in Lawrence, Operation
This database includes addresses of organizations LINK in Hays, and Kansas Rehabilitation Services
in Topeka
providing services to disabled people, information
about adapted software, and articles describing
various disabling conditions.

Source, Source Telecomputing Corporation, 1616


Anderson Road, McLean, VA 22102 703/734-7500

National Networks Devoted to Disability


CONFER: Se* INFORMATION RESOURCES section, p 14

Handicapped Education Exchange (HEX) See INFOR-


MATION RESOURCES section, p 14

Special Net. National Association of State Direc-


tors of Special Education, 1201 16th Street NW,
Suite 404E, Washington, DC 20036 202/822-7933
See INFORMATION RESOURCES section, p. 14

DEAFNET See SENSORY AIDS section, p 219

`,)
.... () 1

241 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT DYING SOURCESOOK RESNA 1%4 241


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

C01::UMFR-RUN INFORMATION EXCHANGE NETWO.KS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS


Blind Apple Users Group Contact Joe Giovenelli, Handicapped Special Interest Troup (SIG). Interna-
1158 Stewart Ave, Bethpage, NY 11714, 516/433- tional apple CorC, P Bon 2G1,
0171
01773 617/666-1581 Handicapped SIG is one of
30 special interest groups under the organiza-
Committee on Personal Computers and the Handi- tional umbrella of the International Apple Core
capped ICOPH-2), 2030 West Irving Park Road, ilACI, a group of Apple computer users The group
Chicago, IL 60618 312/477-1813 COPH-2 is a
currently functions as a clearinghouse of re
consumer-beset: eganization which provides members
sources and information for Apple users, and po-
with technical assistance, personal computer tential users, who are handicapped
loans, use if a resource lihrary, and networking
opportunities The .:,,-tanizatton also designs and Occupational Therapy Microcomputer Clut Marilyn
produces keyguards to {,-event inadvertent striking Sidler, president P 0 Box 158, La Mesa, CA
of keys, publishes a guar erly newsletter, and 98041 Occupational therapists who now have or
conduLts public education meetings plan to acquire a microcomputer have armed a
special interest group A newsletter is
Quadriplegics Cnmmunications Group Inc, 407-333 available
Stray prook, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0J5, CANADA
SIGCAPH Special Interest Group on Computers and
the Physically Handicapped, Association for Com-
Children's Ccmputer User Groups ,Jting Machinery, 11 West 42nd Street, New York,
NY 10036 Open to all computer professionals and
Disabled Children's Computer Group, c/o Lawrence others with serious interest, not Just their dis-
Hall of Science, University of Ca ',forma, abled colleagues, SIGCAPH was founded in 1070 wit
Berkeley, CA 94720 The Disabled Children's the following aims promoting the professional
Computer Group was formed in November, 1983 1 oi a interests of computing personnel with physical
group of parents of disabled children Among the disabilities, promoting the application of com-
members of the group are paren- teachers and puting ard information technology toward solutions
professionals in the held of education, social disatility problems, prorv'ting public education
services and computer technology The DCCG pro- in support of computing careers for suitably-
vides a forum for the sharing of information and trained biind, deaf, and motor-impaired indivi-
experiences about computer applications for dis- duals Publishes quarterly SIGCAPH N vsietter in
abled children (visually impaired, hearing im- cassette 'talking" edition as well as t rint
paired, physically disabled, learning disabled and version
developmentally disabled)

DCCG activities include general meetings where


presenters demonstrate uses of hardware and soft-
ware (held every other month at the Lawrence Hall
of Science, UC-Berkeley), weekend workshops on
specific topics, mainta.ning a collection of
reference materials, housed in the LHS science and
math library, and demonstrations and presentations
at local comr unity conferences and meetings DCCG,
working with tne Lawrence Hall of Science, is
seeking support to establish a 'lending library"
of computer hardware for disabled children, which
would provide parents the chance to try out a
system before investing in it, a demonstration
center featuring computers for disabled children,
sarving as a focal point for hardware moafication
and software devr:lopment, and for parent, teacher
and student training, and 3 local computer network
to share resources and needs, in part via an
electronic bulletin board

Kansas Handicapped Children's Computer Coopera-


tive, HCC, 7938 Chestnut Street, Kansas City, MO
64132 Newsletter $4 00/year

9
Aws _r_

212 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1964 242


MILnOCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL APPLICATIONS

INFORMATION ON COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN SPECIAL education, and 3) software which may be modified
EDUCATION frsr t:or: ..se

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was Computer Search Reprints
founded in 1922 to serve those who serve the
educational needs of exceptional children It has Computer search reprints are bibliographies w th
989 local chapters, 46 student c sociations. 58 abstracts from the ERIC and ECER databases Top-
federations and 12 special education divisions ics that continue to be popular are upcl...ed twice
a year Computer search reprints are $10 00 each
The following publications and resources on Micro-
computers in Special Education are available from 506 Computer Assisted Instruction for Handocapped
CEC, Department 5512, 1926 Association Drive, Children and Youth (100 aostracts)
Reston. Virginia 22091-1584 509 Use of Computers in Regular and Special Fdu
cation Teacher Elucation (100 abstracts)
Microcomputer Resource Book for Special Education 528 Computers and Gifted Students (50 abstracts)
Dolores Hagen 1984 224 pp $15 95 This book 532 Computer Managed Instruction for Handicapped
provides an under Ianding of the microcomputer ac Students (50 abstracts)
a life competency tool The full spectrum of
software and adaptive devices are described
Material is supplied on learning disabled, hearing Technology and Media (TAM) A New CEC Division TAM
impaired, visually impaired, mentally retarded, was recently organized to be an international
and physically handicapped Computer needs of association of special education professionals
each disability group are examined The advan- interested in technology and media, and its impact
tages and disadvantages of each type of program upon the diagnosis, treatment and educational
are weighed D'scriptions of real children's habilitation of exceptional persons It works
experiences with computers are included Appen- toward promoting a closer professional relation-
dices provide information about more than two ship amora educators and others concerned with the
hundred publishers of software products Products uses of technology and media with exceptional
are grouped by disability area, detailed informa- children, er development and dissemina-
t'on is p. ovided about each program's use tion of new applications, technologies, and media,
Management programs, information on hardware in- initiating and working cooperatively w'th educa-
cluding adaptive devices, and resources on LOGO tion agencies, government, and ,justness and oodus-
are included Shows how computers can work for try in research demonstration, and validation
children at home aid in the classroom efforts, and advancing standards for technology
and media to be used with exceptional individuals
Microcomputers in Special Education Selection and For more details on TAM, contact membership com-
Decision Making Process, Florence M Taber 1983 mittee chairperson Dr Charles MacArthur, P 0 Box
112 pp $7 95 Provides the kind of information 4_7, Vienna, Virginia 22180, 301/454-5427
and guidance school administrators and other deci-
sion makers need before committing themselves to a Project RETOOL, CEC Trammo Project on Mrcrocom-
given microcomputer system Considerations re- puter Applications in Special Education for Teach-
lated to software evaluation, hardware, and in- er Educators, Elizabeth McClell3n, EdD Coordina-
service education are covered, including rating tor, 1920 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22901,
forms and questionnaires Includes chapters on 701'620-3660 The RETOOL Center is in the process
effective uses of the microcomputer for instric- of forming a network of reacher educators who are
tional and administrative perposes, elementary interested in microcomputers 1 he purpose of the
programming, and special educatico applications network is to provide a means of communication for
Useful to the individual engaged in the selection microcomputer users who want to request informa-
and decision making process Also appropriate as tion on a particular topic or to shale information
an ;riser-vice 3r supplementary text for regular and and resources The neto ork will be using the
special educators SpecialNet system of communication Airy TED mem-
bers who are interested on technology and who have
Microcomputers in Special E, 3tion Special access to SpecialNet are, encouraged to join A
issue of Exceptional C1- Idren, ,ctober, 1982 bibliography, "Microcor.iputers on Special Educa
tion," is available from the RETOOL Center
Proceediro2s of thy-. Na, conference on the Use
of Microcomputers .r. Education Harttord,
CT, March 1983 MM Berhmanr., Editor, L Lahm, To get more information on CEC's initiatives in
Assistant Editor 7.3 pp $2000 Description technology, write Future CEC Training ao,d Tech
listed in Conference Procatlaings section, p 240 [-tonal Assistance in Special Education Techno-
logy, CEC Depe.rtment of Field Ser ices, 703/620-
Special Ware Directory LINC Resources, Inc 3660
1983 97 pp $13 95 A resource on microo.om
outer software for special educator, It lists Division of Physically Handicapped (DPH) CEC has
and descriL a ...ommercially produced software which one division supporting the Interest/needs of
is useful in special aducatio.i programs included educators of physically handicapped children If
'n the directory are three categories of r oftware you are member of CEC and not DPH, please consider
(1) software designed spez.iftcally for spe .al joming this division
education use, (21 software applicable to special

243 TECHNOLaGY FOR iNDEPENViNT UVING SOURCEROOK RESNA 1954 243


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

The Catalyst S Sweezy, editor Western Center INFORMATION ON COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN r:/..iNmva
for Microcomputers in Special Education 1259 El REHABILITATION
Camino Real, Suite 275, Menlo Park, CA 94025
415/326-6997. Cognit:ve Rchab;;;atior.
Odie L Bracey, Editor
erg The future is here" Exceptional
13, June 1983, pages 7-43 Among the "This magazine is intendei for those therapists
in this issue, which is almost exclusive- doing the rtay-to-day therapy with brain injured
I 3n computers, are explanations of computer patients It publishes articles on special tech-
t s, discur-ions on properly matching th best niques used in tl arapy, observations on working in
suited systems with special needs of di- rehabilitation, information on how programs are
children, descriptions of available devic set up and what seems to work and what does not
sonal narratives about computer experie ,a, and At least one complete and hopefully useful compu-
resources for parents ter program will be listed in each issue These
programs will provide statistical routines, data
1984 Directory of Resources for Technology in Edu analysis programs, record keeping programs and
computerized data collection techniques In addi-
cation D Lloyd- Kolkin et al Available from
Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and tion, utility programs for drawing and designing
Development, 1855 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA
screen displays, graphing and plotting will be
provided This publication provides support for
94103 $1295 softbound, $1995 hardbound 1984
The references are for regular education, not sharing information about the Psychological Soft-
ware service (P55) cognitive rehabilitation com-
special education puter programs"
Special Technr'ogy for Special Children E Paul
P "blished lei-monthly by B&B Publishing Co, PO
Goldenberg University Park Press, Baltimore, MD
Box 29344, Indianapolis, IN 46229 Subscription
1979
rate 's $25 per volume
"Tehnological Advances in Special Education
Computer Treatment f Speech/Language/Cognition
Exceptional Education Quarterly, Winter 1984 Disorders
Available from PRO-ED, 5341 Industrial Oaks
Blvd, Austin, TY 78735
This workshop presents a system for microcomputer-
assisted eatment of patients with speech,
"'The Use of Itiliciu,..-omputers in the Cognitive language and cognitive impairments, and can accom-
Rehabilitation of Brain Ajured Persons" modate up to 5 participants at a time It is held
Kurlychek R T, and Glang, A E Using Computers at Beaumont Hospital, so participants can observe
in Clinical Practice Psychotherapy and Mental patients using clinical software programs as part
Health Applications M D Schwartz Editor of their treatment on Beaumont Hospital's Rehabi-
Haworth Press, New York, 1984 litation Unit, in the hospital's Outpatient
Aphasia Program and during Cognitive Rehabilita-
tion activiti...s and interact with staff members
using the microcomputer with brain-damaged pa-
Model Training Projects for Blind Children t, ;nts at various levels of communicative impair-
ment For more informaticn, contact Michael I
Twenty-two San Francisco Bay Area blind children. Rolnick, Ph D, Director, Speech and Language
ages eight to eleven, will be taught by Sensory Pathology, William Beaumont Hospital, 3601 W 13
Aids Foundation (SAE) to use educational software Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48072 313/288-8085
on Apple computers The new program, funded by a
$50,000 grant from the U S Department of Educa
tion, hopes to demonstrate the aractical and com-
mercial feasibility of modifying off-the-shelf
software for use by blind students For more
information, contact Susan Phillips, Sensory Aid...
Foundation, 399 Sherman Avenue, Suite 2, Palo
Alto, CA 94306 415/329-0430

U C Berkeley's C.:.;:ter for Multi-Sensory Learning


recently received a grant from the U Department
of Education to evaluate the educatio.ial potential
of microcomputers in teaching visually impaired
students from junior high school through college
For more information, contact Linda DeLucchi,
Center for Multi-Sensory Learning, Lawrence Hall
of Science, U C Berkeley, Berkeley. CA 94720
415/642-3679

244 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEMOOK RESNA 194 244


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

VOICE INPUT / VOICE OUTPUT / BLIND ACCESS

SOME SOURCES OF INFORMATION: VOii7.F INPUT Mtchael Hillenger


(Syntax 1* program for Apple II)
Maryland Computer Services, Inc R F D, Sharon, VT 05EJ5
(Various voice inpct hardware and sc,ftware) (802) 448-3838
2010 Rock Spring Rd
Forest Hill, MD 21050 Intelligent Software Systems
1301) E79-3366 (SpoakEasy* program for Apple II+ $500)
P 0 Box 621
Motor Handicapped Support System 1$399 00-$499 00) Amherst, MA 01002
(Voice recognition microcomputer access program) (412) 549-047.4
ARTRA Inc
PO Box 653 I 0 R Enterprises
Arlington, VA 22216 (Various voice output programs)
229 Harrison Avenue
Shadow/Vet $995 00 Highland Park, NJ 08904
(Voice entry terminal) i2011 846-5200
Scott Instruments
1111 Willow Spring ()rive Maryland Computer Services
Denton, TX 76201 ( talking computer terminal $5995)
817/387-9514 2010 Rock Spring Road
Fcr2st Hill, MD 21050
Talk Tyner (301) 879-3366
:Voice-operated word processor)
G E Rushakoff Raised Dot Computing
Department of Speech, Box 3W (Braille-Edit* program for visually impaired,
University of New Mexico Apple II+)
Las Cruces, NM 88003 310 S 7th St
(505) 646-L801 Lewisburg, PA 12837
(717) 523 6739
Vocelizatior Trainer ($A 00)
(Visual feedback program for hearing impaired) G Evan Rushakoff
Ken Macurik (Talk II* program for Apple II+ $90)
SVTC Box 4110 Box 3W
Petersburg, VA 27803 Department of Speech
(804) 861-7274 University of New Mexico
!as Cruces, NM 88003
Voice Connection (505) 646-2801
formerly Voice Machine Communications, Inc
178'35 Skypark Circle #C James S Schaefer
Irvine, CA 97214 (Basic Interpreter for the Blind' program for TRS-
714/261-2366 80 Model II $151
33 Jackson Rd
Voice Recognition Systems Berlin, NJ 03009
(Voice Input Module for Apple II+, Ile, and IBM (609) 767-2751
PC $995-1395)
550 Battery Road, Suite 1716 Street Elet.trordcs
San Francisco, CA 94111 (speech synthesizers & related softwar3)
(415) 738-2007 114 'lark Avenue
Carpinteria, CA 93103
(805) 684-4593
SOME SOURCES OF INFORMATION: VOICE OUTPUT
Trace R&D Center
BAYSIK Speech (Talking BlissApple Program for Apple II $35)
(SAYIT program* for TRS-80 Model I or $125) 314 Waisman Center, 1300 Highland Avenue
1259 El Camino Real, Suite! 289 Madison, WI 53705
Menlo Park, CA 94025 (608) 262-6966
(415) 854-1772
Votrax Division of F' Jeral Screwworks
Art Gaylord (speech synthesizer)
Illnessege Writer* program for Apple II+ $751 500 Stephenson Hwy
2208 Country Squire Dr Troy, MI 48084
Urbana, IL 61801 (800) 521-1350
(217) 333-1728
* These programs require a separate commercially
Carl Geigner available speech synthesizer
(Say It program for Apple II+ $30)
Schneier Communication Unit, Cerebral Palsy Center
1603 Court Street
Syracuse, NY 13208 00 1

245 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT UVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1954 245


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Audiovisuals National Library Services


Regional libraries provide recorded material ter
Voice Input and Voice Output Technology Computers people with any handicap, and Braille and urge
That Talk and Computprs That I ucten iloyoconn ni prant maternal for hoar 1 P'-Sen. The' ere
Computer Research and Technology Available from books on on computers available, mostly at the begin-
DCRT Information Office, Building 12-A, Room 3027, ning level "The Blind Data Processor" is a
National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Braille magazine which provides good articles on
Pike, Bethesda, MD 20205 3/4" videocassette, the computer field, some of them quite advanced
color, 22 minutes 1980 Demonstrates two kinds Magazines such as Popular Mechanics and Science
of computer systems operated by disabled persons Digest also carry timely information on computers
One computer system has a voice box and speaks, and software and are available from NLS
and is operated by a blind programmer The other
computer system listens a quadriplegic pro- Raised Dot Computing
grammer talks to it David Holladay and Caryn Navy
310 S ith St
Lewisburg PA 17837
SOME SOURCES OF INFORMATION (717) 523-6739
COMPUTER ACCESS FOR BLIND PEOPLE Braille, newsletter available Source of BRAILLE
EDIT (word processor/braille translator program),
The Carroll Center for the Blind Cramner Modified B-ailler, and various interface
770 Center Street guides, cables, and cards
Newton, MA 02158
(617) 969-6200 Sensory Aids Foundation
Publishes Aids and Appliances Review 399 Sherman Avenue
Suite 12
Computer Aids Palo Alto, CA
4528 F. Lafayette St 45/3290430
Fort Wayne, IN 46806 Publishes a very informative newsletter, Sensory
(219) 456-2148 Aids Technology Update Published monthly, avail-
able in print or cassette $30 00/year
COPH 2 (Committee on "ersonal Computers and the
Handicapped) Smith-Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences
5225 N Kenmore Rehabilitation Engineering Center
Chicago, IL 60640 2232 Webster Street
(312) 728-9879 ',an Francisco, CA 94115
Publishes Link and Go newsletter (print /tape), (41:4 563-2323
$8 00, quartey
Solutions by Example, Inc
Dialogue Magazine 375 Concord Avenue
"Technology" col' mn Belmont, MA 02178
3100 South Oakpark Avenue Source of PC Speak program, provides software
Berwyn Heights, IL 60402 interface between IBM PC and Votrax Type 'n' Talk,
Votrax Personal Speech System, ECHO PC, or Intex
Mr Joe Giovaneili Talker Also source of Junior Speak, a prog<,rn
Audio-Tech Laboratorie. that intert Ices the synthesizers with PCir
1158 Stewart Avenue
Bethpage, NY 11714 ..tilt' Electronics
516/433 -I' 171 1144 Mark Avenue
Editor of BAUD ( Blind Apple Users Group) Carpinteria, CA 53013
(8051 684-4593
darvey Lauer Sol.,ce of the Echo II for the Apple II+ end He
2010 S 7th Avenue computers, and of the Echo PC for the IBM PC
Maywood, IL 60153
(312)343 -7959 Telesensory Systems, Inc
455 North Bernardo Avenue
P 0 Bo' 7455
Marylano Computer Services Mountain View, CA 94943
Ted Hentar 415/960-0920
2010 Roc: Spring Road Manufactures and sells Optacon. VersaBraille,
Forest Hill, MD 20150 TeleBraille, SonicGuide, etc
(301) 879-3366
voice output Information Systems, Inc
3132 SE Jay Street
National Braille Press, Inc Stuart FL 33497
88 St Stephen Street 305/283-4817
Boston, MA 02115 LED- 120 Braille Printer, MicroBrailler paperless
617/266-6'50 Braille device. Braille transcription services
Published a Beginner's
Beginner's Guir1, to Personal Computers Offers leases on its products
for the Blind, avail tape/print/braille, $12 00
Also publ.shes Braille Research Newsletter
' ) i.?
4..... ' )

248 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPI2NDENT LIVING SOURCEROOK RESNA 1884 246


MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS

TRACE CENTER INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE/HARDWARE REGISTRY

The r..igistry provides a common reference point to help handicapped computer


users determine what software a.nd ho-1,-vare adaptations are ...suable, end
wi ere additional information can be four-d If you have any programs or
hardware adaptations that will benefit handicapped computer users, please
fill out this form (for software), or the form on the next page (for
hardware), and send it to the Trace Center, Registry Coordinator 314
Weisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison WI 53705 For more
information, call the Registry Coordinator at 608/262-6966

TRACE CENTER INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE/HARDWARE


REGISTRY. PROGRAMS FOR HANDICAPPED INDIADUALI

SOFTWARE ENTRY FORM

PROGRAM NAME HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS (Standard. modified, or


custom boards, accessories.
GENERIC NAME

SORT CODES
(see code explanation, next page)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
OTHER NOTES (or continuations from items above):

DEVELOPER

COMPUTER

mown,/ REQ'D
LANGUAGE: PHONE

ON DISK? TAPE?
VENDOR
COST:

MANUAL SIZE (PAGES)

AVAIL W/O PROW (Y/N)


PHONE
COST. REFUNDABLE W/PURCHASE7 (Y/N)

SOURCE CODE AVAIL? (Y/N) COST. DATE WRITTEN

MACHINE READABLE MANUAL AVAIL; (Y/N & FORM) PLANS FOR UPDATING? (Y/N)

If possible, we ask that you provide a copy of


your program, and/or documentotion, with your
OTHER SOFTWARE REQUIRED (DOS, operatin completed entry form Thank you
standard programs. etc)

Z47 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK REHM 1904 247


MICROCOMPira APPLICATIONS

TRACE CENTER INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE /HARDWARE


REGISTRY: HARDWARE ADAPTATIONS FOR HANDICAPPED
INDIVIDUALS

HARDWARE ENTRY FORM OTHER NOTES (or continuations from items above):

HARDWARE NAME

GENERIC NAME

SORT CODES
(see code explanation below)

1ARDWARE DESCRIPTION

DEVELOPER

4EN )OR

COMPUTER REO'D PHONE

MEMORY REO'D- DATE DEVELOPED

SOURCE CODE AVAIL? (Y/N) COST PLANS FOR UPDATING?: (Y/N)

COST OF ADAPTATION
SCRT COOE EXPLANATION
MANUAL SIZE (PAGES)
A Alarm, Alarm/Call, and monitoring systems
AVAIL W/O HARDWARE? (YIN) COST (including monttorng systems)
B Business Systems (other than writing/editino
REFUNDABLE WITH PURCHASE? (YIN) see W)
C Oontrol Aids (including phone, self-care,
MACHINE READABLE MANUAL AVAIL? (YIN & FORM) environment control)
O Drawing Aids
Evaluation /Testing
G Gan (for haiidicarsped i idividuals)
H Hearing Impaired
I -imputer Aided Instruction (CAI)
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS (Standard, modified, or J Vocational Placement
custom boards, accessories ) K ,eyboard Modifications, Alternate Keyboards,
and Non-Keyboard Input
M Mobility
P Portable Aids (battery operated, and less
than 25 lbs (12 kg) inclurling battery)
O Cognitive Disabilities & rie:ramong
SOFTWARE PROVIDED OR REQUIRED (DOS, operating R Robots & Manipulators
system, standard proy,n, etc ) S Speech Output (NOTE 2 - speech input/
recognition)
T Telephone Communication
Visually Impaircd
W Writing/Edith-1g
Z Speech Input/Recognition

Send to Registry Coordinator, Trace R&D Center,


314 Weisman Cer, ter, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison,
WI 53705 For more in;ormation, call the
Registry Coordinator at 608/262-6966
4,,
248 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 248
Funding, Models,
Policy, Statistics
FUNDINJ, MODELS, PC" ICY, STATISTICS 251

FUNDING 251

A FUNDING RESOURCE NETWORK? 251


Fl!;',ADING FOR DEVICES 251
SOME IDEAS FOR REDUCING PRODUCT COSTS 252
USED EQUIPMENT 252
EQUIPMENT LOANS 253
TAX DEDUCTIONS 253
DO-IT-YOURSELF 253
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS ON FUNDING FOR DEVICES 254
A NOTE ON FUNDRAISING 256

SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS 2S7

EXAMPLES OF SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS 257


A MODEL PROGRAM FOR SERVICE DELWIRY 257
AN INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE CENTER 257
A PROJECT IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM 258
AN INSTITUTION -BASED ADAPTIVE AID SERVICE 259
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS DELIVERY MODELS 260

PUBLIC POLICY AND TECHNOLOGY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE 261

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 261

TECHNOLOGY COST/EFFECTIVENESS/BENEFIT 262

STATISTICAL INFORMATION RESOURCES 264

250 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 250


FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

A FUNDING RESOURCE NETWORK? Identifying Funding Sources and Resources


But the problem of payment ft inique or adap- Knowing where to seek funds begins with a thorough
tive devices remains exploration of the concomerc perspnai recoijrces
and his/her current or potential projram eligibi-
"In seeking an answer to the cost question, I lity It is valuable to encourage the involvement
discovered from Dr Justus Lehmann, University of of the inclividnal and the family in determining
Washington, Seattle, that they have solved the and effectively using funding sources
problem in their setting They have on staff a
person skilled at securing needed resources This Potential funding sources include
person tries every conceivable source public
and private insuranc t, voluntary health organi- o Personal or family income, including extended
zations, service clubs, community organizations, family and friends
churches Dr Lehmann reports that no truly o Loans, savings Accounts, inheritances, trust
needed device has bee;. I-trued for lack of a spon- funds, etc
sor If you think this sounds too good to be o Private health insurance
true, some of you with this problem may want to o Government programs, e g, Medicare,
write to Dr Lehmann for aavice" Mec ;aid, veterans' programs, cripried
ohiloien's services, vocational
Douglas Fenderson, Ph D rehabilitation programs, developmentally
In "High Tech/High Touch", a keynote address, disabled programs, etc
Discovery '83 Computers for the Disabled o Voluntary health organizations such as United
Conference Papers, edited by Janet Roehl Cerebra! Palsy Association, Easter Seal
Available from Materials Development Center Socir,ty, Muscular Dystrophy Association
Stcut Vocational Rehab Insatute, University o Employer of consumer or family
of Wisconsin-Sout, Menominee, WI o Labor union of consumer or family
o Workers' Compensation benefits
There are several people around the country who o Schaol, as part of an Individual Education
are particularly good at locating the resources to Plan
pay for nard-to-fund equipment Unfortunately, o Alumni associations
there is as yet no good mechanism 'or them to o Church group of consumer or family
share information RESNA has a subcommittee on o Civic and other community service
Funding within the Service Delivery Committee organizations such as Elks, Sertoma Clubs,
This Funding subcommittee could become the nucleus Quota Clubs, Lions Clubs, Kiwanis, Rotary
for a broade network of people If you are Clubs
interested in participating in a funding resource o Major corporation/corporate giving programs
network, please contact RESNA o P ovate philanthropic foundation grants
o "tar- narked gifts" sponsored through health
organizations or medical facilities
FUNDING FOR DEVICES o Special-event fund raising
Funding issues are generally the, ,ottom line in Funding time can be reduced by choosing the most
providing technology for disabled people We can likely resoLaice(s), coordinating the efforts of
research, develop, transfer to private sector, client, family, and involved professionals, and
utilize, build and adapt, but if money is not iiiciuding the durable medical equipment supplier
available the device be it simple or sophisti- in the process
cated will not reach the intended user, the
disabled individual
Writing for Results
In the U S Congress Office of Technology Assess-
ment's Report Technology and Handicapped People Miracles do happen' Good-hearted neighbors might
(May 1982), the major conclusion was that "despite raise $1,000 over a weekend on the strength of
the existence of numerous important problems re- hearing of a iamily need People do give for
lated to developing technologies, the more serious people they care for However, few public or
questions are social ones of fin, ncing, of private agencies, companies, or service organiza-
conflicting ant. ill-dstfined goals, of hesitancy tions can work that way, they need paper
over the demands of distributive Justice, and of
isolated and uncoordinated programs" The most effective way to prepare paperwork is to
understand who is tlie intended receiver of the
If devices are to reach persons who need them, the written document The key is to know and under-
issues surrounding funding must begin to surface stand your "audience" and the definitions and
so they can be dealt with In this area of health regulations they follow so that supdorting docu-
and social welfare many, if not most, people are mentation can be preparr d appropriately Someone
very uncomfortab:e putting the obvious needs of mus make a decision What information is needed
disabled individuals onto the same ledger line for a favorable response? You are writing for
with money But until the world is a more ideal results give neither more nor less data than
place, we must live with these realities To needed Ton much information costs you extra
balance them in your favor, you need to know where effort to collect and write up, providing too
to find funding arid how to ask for it, what to do little tit-wally results in a second rcund of paper-
it is denied, and the alternatives to direct work and/or an unfavorable judgement (1 e, no
funding money and no equipment)

251 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 19$4 251


FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

For "result-oriented writing" consider these fac- Alternatives to Direct Funding


tors
As funding becomes more difficult to obtain, we
Point of view Know the audience you are writine are being forced to look at more charitable fund-
for and ensure that all information can be under- ing possibilities Rehabilitation engineering
stood from the reader's point of view Who wilt services should not be philanthropy and, ideally.
read this report? What would you need to know if snould not have to depend on philanthropy for
you sat behind his/her desk? funding But until we reach the ;deal world re-
ferred to earlier, becoming a more sophisticated
Determination or need Supporting evidence of "beggar" may help fund more devices There are
consumer's need is usually required, but mus. be many nonstandard philanthropic sources locally
described appropriately For example, Medicare Some have never been approached ASK If the
requires "medical necessity", private insurance answer is "no" then ask "Do you know someone else
focuses on "improving the condition of the pa- I could 3 sir?" Once you achieve a breakthrough,
tient", and with Medicaid you may need to emphasis follow up with another request
"restoration of the patient to his best functional
level" Other possibilities include reducing products
costs and using tax provisions The creative use
Benefit to consumer Never focus on the equipment of mass market products can bring some types of
and its features. Describe the benefits each equipment into an affordable price range "Do-it-
feature will provide for the consumer yourself" construction is sometimes fe.asIble
Rehabilitation engineering volunteer networks are
Credibility You prohably will be seeking ft..icling developing in New Jersey and other places in the
again, this is not an exercise in crective United States Equipment can be purchased second
writing. hand or obtained on loan through clearinghouses
and equipment loan closet.; (editor)
Additionally, funding so.irces are interested in
knowing what their return on investment will be
A financial statement e how money will be saved SOME IDEAS FOR REMJCING PRODUCT COSTS
as a result of the requests,: service and device,
including the dollar amount, will be helpful For Used Equipment
instance, if some equipment will result in less
attendant time, this should be reflected in the A Used Equipment Referral Service has been estab-
request However, the cost-effectiveness issue is lished by the Metropolitan Cerver of Independent
not always appropriate It is great to predict a Living, Inc, in St Paul The service acts as a
cost saving as the result of a certain device or clearinghouse, matching disabled persons who need
service, but sometimes there is no change (or rehabilitative equipment K th those who have used
actually an increase) in total care costs as a equipment available All types of equipment are
result of a service. For example, a person ac- considered, including w ieelchair,., bathroom equip-
qairinp a communication aid may need continued ment, ramps, lifts, vehe-ies, hospital beds,
speech therapy to learn how to use the system walkers, prone standers, etc The service does
effectively. Quality of life is often the issue not warehouse the equipment, instead it provides
There may be an increase in rare costs because a telephone referrals to those persons who have the
person is more independent and is able to make equipment available throughout the state The
more demands on the system In this case, do not service also provides information on funding,
stress cotts, emphasize indeperh'ence or whatever repair and maintenance resources Anyone inter-
concept the funding agency needs to hear to make a ested in buying, selling, or donating equipment,
favorable funding decision or anyone interested in setting up a similar pro-
gram, can contact Gary Tegrootenhuis, MCIL, 1728
University Avenue, St Paul, Minnesota 55104,
FM lowing Through 612/646-8342

Once the orness of seeking funding has been ini- The ASSISTIVE DEVICE bulletin board on SpecialNet
tiated, persevere and appeal den'als The appeal can be Used to list used assistive devices for
process is educational for the third-party payer, sale or purchase For information on SpecialNet,
and successful appeals are precedent-setting PIT see the Informatiaki Resources section
future requests They force review of general
policies by the third-party organization How- Other sources for this type of exchange are
ever, care must be taken in selection of the first
case to be presented and in specifying criteria ads in the local newspaper
for effective use of the device and other services bulletin boards at Independent Living Centers
that will be required as part of the process and Disabled Students Programs
(i e, additional therapy) ads in consumer publications such as Accent
on Living and Mainstream
If frustrations with the process inspire veJ to electronic bulletin boards such as WeilNet,
write long, impassioned reoorts, it would be more Cornpuserve, and The Source (See secf,,n on
effective to send them to people who an actually microcomputer applications fJr addresses)
change policy state ani fedora, .egislaturs
You are generally westing your kim3 targeting
pleas for policy change to bureaucrats who are
only following the rules they are p ed to follow
ti Z

252 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK "ESNA 1984 757


FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

Equipmert Loan Programs Do-It-Yourself

Easter Sca Is An alternative to purchasing a piece of equipment


is to make it yourself or hire someone else to
Most local affiliates maintain an equipment loan construct it There are references to D-I-Y
program Althougn c'etails vary from one affiliate material throughout this guide (e g, the TECH-
to another, a loan program usually maintains a NOLOGY AT HOME and CONTROLS sections)
supdly of wheelchairs, crutches, canes and appli-
ances for anyone who is in need Upon acknow- Some of these references have been collected here,
ledgement by a physician or therapist, a chair or please refer to specific chapters for more
appliance can usually be loaned for the length of information
time it is required
Aids and Adaptations The Arthritis society, 920
Yonge Street, Suite 420, Toronto M4W 3J7, Canada
American Cancer Society Instructions for aids to make yourself

Local chapters frequently loan hospits beds for Application and Construction Notes for Laptrays
in-home use, ar sometimes other equipment to and Adapt Pointers 31 pages, V. 00 A packet
people who have ,-ncbr containing application notes describing the con-
struction of various adaptive interfaces and t.3 m
mull! cateon charts Includes Wobble Stick Toy
Tax Deductions Control (for battery-operated toys), Adaptive
Pointers (for communication boards and keyboards),
Geneially, any expenses incurred for medical care Slide-Away and Swing-Away Laptrays (for wheelchair
or equipment are deductible on an individual tax mounting), and t'olding Communication Board (light-
return and can be included with other me:1:cal weight and highly portable)
expenses that woulo normally be deducted Refar Design and Construction of a Laotray G.C. Van-
to IRS publications 502, Medical and Dental ex- derheiden 30 pages; $3.00 1977 This report
penses, 503, Child and Disabled Dependent Care, provides basic information on the construction of
522, Disability and Payments, 552, Recordkeepino /I wheelchair laptray which may be used as a com-
Requirements and a List of Tax Publications, and munication board. Included in this report are all
907, Tax Information for Handicapped and Disabled of the drawings and directions needed to construct
Individuals These ate .available at no charge a laptray communication board using materials
from the Internal Revenue Office readily available from local hardware and depart-
ment stores Simple directions and guideline. are
"151 Tax Deductions You Can Take" is a simple tax provided
guide for the person with a disability, this mono-
graph provides a listing of what is and what is Easy to Make Aids for Your Handicapped Child D
not tax deductible It is primarily a medical Caston Souvenir Press, London 1981
expense deduction guide and is therefore of parti-
cular value to persons with disabilities and their equipment for the Disabled (series) Oxford
families It includes information on the types of Rogional Health Authority, 2 Foredown Drive,
assistive devices tiidt can be deductible Written Postslade, Brighton BN4 2BB, England 1984 Each
by Gregory Thomsen and Paul M Mclnery, t is volume in this series contains descriptions and
available from ACCENT Special Publications, PO illustrations of commercially available e.i.ipment
Box 700, Bloomington, IL 61701 (20 pages, 1982) for the disabled, as well as do-it- yourseif ideas
Titles include Communication, Clothing and Dres-
sing for Adults, Home Management, Outdoor Trans-
port, Wheelchairs, Leisure and Gardening, Disabled
Mother, Personal Care, Housing and Furniture,
Hoists and Walking Aids, Disabled Child

Handbook for the Disabled Ideas & Inventions for


Easier Living Chapter 30 "Make It Yourself
Suzanne Lunt Charles Scribner's Sons, New York

Handling the Young Cerebral Pal. ied Child at Home


N R Finnie E P Dutton, New York 1975

Homemade Battery Powered Toys and Educational


Devices for Severely_Hendicapped Children and More
Homemade Battery Powered Toys and Educational
Devices for Severely Handicapped Children Ms
Linda Burkhardt, 8315 Potomac Avenue, College
Park, MD 20740

Homemade Innovative Play Equipment Information


and Research Utilization Center in Physical Educa-
tion and Recreation for the Handicapped American
Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recrea-
tion and Dance, 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA
22091, 703/476-3400 May 1973 105 pages

253 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 19114 253


FUNDING, MODELS. POLICY, STATISTICS

How to Build Special Furniture and Equipment for Periodicals Featuring DIY Information
the Handicapped Child R B Hoffman Charles C
Thomas Co, Springfield, IL. 1970 Accent on Living magazine has a regular feature
called HOW TO, which lists ideas on adapting your
How to Make It Cheap Manual Independence Fac- own eciciipment The Spring 1984 issue's HOW TO was
tory, PO Box 597, Middletown, OH 45042 entitled "Hanging In Th, and presented solu-
Volumes I and II, $1 donation plus postage, volume tions that two Accent :rs have worked out for
III, $2 75 Line drawings of aids you can make or themselves, an electric lift and a hydraulic lift
have made, plus list of aids that can be ordered Accent on Living is a quarterly magazine, their
from this non-profit volunteer group address is PO Box 700, Bloomington, IN

An Instructional Playground for the Handicapped Rehabilitation Gazette (Gazette International Net-
Using Tires as Inexpensive Playground Equipment working Institute, 4502 Maryland Avenue, St
Activity and Construction Manual University of Louis, MO) also has DIY ideas in its annual publi-
the State of New York, Staid Education Department, cation
Division for Handicapped Children, Special Educa-
tion Materials Center, Albany, NY 1975 Technical Aid to the Disabled Journal (Ryde New
South Wales, Australia) is published by Technical
Making Aids for Disabled Living SE Grainger Aid to the Disabled, an Australian voluntary or-
Batsford, North Pomfret, VT 1981 ganization dedicated to designing and making aids
for people with disabilities when such aids ire
Playgrounds for Free Tha Utiliza, n of Used and unavailable commercially The Journal con ains
surplus Materials in Playground Construction MIT articles about the design, construction and use of
Press, Cambridge, MA 1974 aids, organizational news, and an inform.: on
exchange
Please Help Us Help Ourselves C Nathan United
Cerebral Palsy of Central Indiana, Indianapolis,
Indiana 1970 Do-it-yourself devices can quickly move into the
realm of "fugitive literature" Some examnles of
Rehabilitation Equipment ant' Devices Constructed the kind of information available are
in Wood Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine,
Publication Office, New York University Medical it for Remote-Area Wheelchair An Australian
Center, 400 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016 biomedical engineer has designed an inexpensive
1969 102 pages $200 Illustrates complete wheelchair that may be made from a kit or ordered
directions for constructing many devices, assembled The construction booklet is free to
including kitchen cutting board, kitchen lapboard, disabled individuals who wish to build a chair for
and sewing and embroidery frame their own use, but the chair is protected by
patent from commercial production except where
Strategies for Helping Severely and Multiply Han- license to manufacture has been granted The kit
dicapped Citizens G Greer, Robert M Anderson, and chair are described in a free brochure from
and Sara J Odle (editors) University Park the designer Robert Bosshard, Biomedical Engi-
Press, Baltimore, Maryland 1982 neer, Spinal Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, St
Leonards 2065, New South Wales, Australia
"Teacher-Made Adaptive Devices for Archery, Bad-
minton, and Table Tennis" J Cowart Practical Plans for Making Mobility Devices for Children
Pointers, May 1978, (13), 1-16 To obtain free blueprints of a child's wheelchair
and tricycle, write to R J Reynolds Tobacco Com
Therapeutic Devices, 1956-1975 J Bellman, et pany, Winston-Salem, NC 27102
al American Journal of Occupational Therapy,
American Occupational Therap% Association, Inc, Por able Rocking Bea Plans are r vai'able on loan
6000 Executive Blvd, Rockville, MD 20852 112 Jr n Rehabilitation Gazette, 4502 Maryland Avenue,
pages 1977 Do-it-yourself instructions to- t Louis, MO
devices which have appeared in AJOT, includes
wheelchair trays, ADL devices, communication aids
etc
This book does not halo you make devices, it helps
Toy Modification Note Built-it-yourself Battery you invall them It is gene, ally available at a
Insert. G C. Vanderheiden 18 pagez, $2 00 good bookstore
1982 Describes construction and operation of
battery inserts to allow control of battery- Home Security Time-Life Books, Alexandria, VA
operated devices by handicapped individuals with- 1979 This self -help 'look on home security
out requiring modification of the toys themselves includes a section on accident proofing a house,
Full diagrams and 1perating instructions included which has 13 pages of directions and sketches for
reducing dangerous conditions in ba:nrooms and on
Vocational and Educatioriel Aids L Brabyn stairs Features instructions for installing grab
Smith-Kettlewell Institute Rehabilitat.on Engi- bars, slip resistant surfaces, stair rails, and
neering Center, San Francisco, CA. 1982 outdoor access ramps

254 TECANOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING StaURCEBOOK RESNA 19034 254


FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

Publications with Information on Funding Devices Report on the Advanced Topical Discussion Funding
Strategies for the '80s, RESNA Suite 402, 4405
"Financing Adaptive Aids" Sensory Aids Techno- East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, August
logy Update, December 1983, pages 2-3 Available 1982
from Sensory Aids Foundation, 399 Sherman Avenue
#12, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Describes several Selected Funding Issues in Rehabilitation Engi-
programs that offer financial aid and/or low neering Service Delivery Rick N Holte, MSc-.
interest loans for the purchase of sensory aids Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Conference on
for the blind Rehabilitation Engineering, San Diego Available
from RESNA, Suite 402, 4405 East-West Highway.
Funding Book The Many Faces of Funding Anna Bethesda, MD 20814 198.3
Hoffman Available from Phonic Ear, Inc 250
Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941 $25 00
(includes the Monthly Newsletter, shipping and These periodicals regularly provide information
packaging) Although focused on funding strate- related to equipment funding strategies
gies for communication devices, the information is
also readily applicable to funding for other types Accent on Living
of equipment Cheever Publications
P 0 Box 700
The book, a three-ring looseleaf notebook, is Bloomington, IN 61701
divided into five sections the Overview provides
highlights of sources of funding on the federal, Bulletin on Science & Technology for the
state, educational, insurance and private levels. Handicapped
Method of Procedure informs on how to package AAAS
funding applications, Case Histories inspires 1776 Massachusetts Avenue
ideas through "how to" stories, Legislation in- Washington, DC 20036
forms on any chcnges in federal, state or local
laws, and the Monthly Newsletters provide the most Communication Outlook
current funding information, and keeps the book Artificial Language Laboratory
current and updated Computer science Department
Michigan State University
"Funding Challenges" Myra Williams In Seal ng East Lansing, MI 48824
for Children With Cerebral Palsy A Resource
Manual, Elaine Tref ler, editor Available from Senso Aids Technology Update
University of Tennessee, Rehabilitation Engi- Gensory Aids Foundation
neering Program, 632 Court Avenue. Memphis, TN 399 Sherman Avenue #12
38163 $2000 1984 Palo Alto. CA 94306

Funding of Mobility Equipment Current Issues m-ici


Strategies Virginia Ruggles Muscular Dystrophy These publications provide an overview of the
Association, 810 7th Street, New York, NY 10019 financial aid programs and special services avail-
September 1981 able to the disabled person, primarily on the
federai and state levels Although not oriented
Funding of Non-Vocal Communication Aids Current specifically toward funding devices, each covers a
Issues and Strategies Virginia Ruggles Mus- broad range of programs which focus on such areas
cular Dystrophy Association, 810 7th Street, New as basic living needs. education and employment
York, NY 10019 30 pages Major programs are identified which exist through-
out the nation, or could exist if a particular
Funding The Bottom Line S Enders, A Blote, state or community elected to participate in a
and C Reed-Heumann Proceedings of the Sixth program
Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering,
San Diego. 1983 Available from RESNA, Suite Financial Aid and Special Services , Ch-inter 15
402. 4405 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814 Virginia M Gives In Disability and Rehabilita-
1983 tion Handbook, Robert Goldenson, editor McGraw-
Hill, Inc 1978
Guidelines for Seeking Funding for Communication
Aids Donna De Pape and Lavonne Krause Trace Financial Res'urces for Disabled Individuals
Center, Weisman Center, University of Wisconsin Institute for Information Studies, Falls Church,
Madison, Madison, WI 53705 44 pages Revised Virginia Available from NARIC, Catholic Uni-
1980 versity, Washington, DC -9 pages $11 00
1980
Health Insurance Benefits and Communication Dis-
orders Steven White, Ph D Director, reimburse "How to Get Government Wiley, Home Care, Tax
ment policy division, American Speech-Language Breaks, and Other Help" Chapt r 28 in AFlandbook
Hearing Association In Shhh, November/December for the Disabled Ideas & Inventions for Easier
1982, 4848 Battery Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 Living Suzanne Lunt Charles Scribner's Sons,
597 Fifth Avenue. New York, NY 10017 276 pages
Insurance Reimbursement Mechanisms for Rehabilita- $1795 1982
tion Equipment and Environment Modifications M
Mittleman and J Settelle Archives of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, 63 279-283, 1982 Most geographic areas have some type of Community
Service Council. usually operational on a citywide
'7.1
255 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 255
FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATIC .ICS

or countywide basis, which can be a., add tional Both are th,ailenie , m
and valuable resource in finding specific programs
on 3 local level Capitol Publica ons, Inc
1300 North 17tH Street
Infortntofion on now orogr4mc whirh root,' ha ocarl to Arlington VA 777na
pay for assist ve devices can be found in publica- 703/528-5400
tions such as Communication Outlook, and the
monthly updates the The Many Faces of Funding The Yc II notice that these are not inexpensive If
following :s from Communication Outlook, Winter, not available at your local library, you might see
1984, page 2. if the grants and contracts office of yo' r nearest
major university subscribers and would let "Ju
"Public Service Community Develocment Block Grant read them
Funds are awarded to cities tj the federal govern-
ment to both provide new ser..nces and increase the
public services already available to individuals A FINAL NOTE ON FUNDRAISING
experieuring handicaps Several ears ago, the
city of I ort Collins, Colorado began using these if you and/or your agency are working on obtaining
funds to provide nonverbal individuals with commu- funding for devices, it is important to avoid
nication aids The city carefully monitors the being overwhelmed by the magniturfe of the prob'em
acc,...sition of these aids and for fi e y s con- If you find more and more of your worktime (and
siders them the property of the city for aepi eci- after work time) being consumed by funaing prob-
anon purposes, although users maintain exclusive lems, it may be time to reassess the situation
use of the devices
IDENTIFY whose res-onsibility fundraising is
"T'' project has also encouraged clmmunity
advocacy, heightening pubic awareness of its EVALUATE the input needed it car, take consider-
citizens' needs Most importantly, the new aug- able eff rt io get the ball rolling
mentative system user is able to communicate with
city government and elected of'icials If you can't afford the time, DEVELOP a network of
people who can do it or help you
"Beginning in March 1984, Block Gant Funds will
be set aside in each receiing cry to operate a IDENTIFY the rewards what they a e, and who
needs assessment for individuals experiencing yets them
handicaps Funds will Le allocated based upon
proposals submitted to each city Those inter- If all else fails, you might tack a nuts e on the
ested should contact their city regard'ng the wall
Public Service Community Developm. Block Grain
Fund, Se tion 570 201, Circular A-10Z, Attachment "TAKE THE '0' OUT OF FUNDRAISING''
0"
and reapply the a'.,ove guidelines Good Wet,'
If you want to learn more about fund.- available
from the federal government, --for to

"The Who, What, When and How of the Federal Fund-


ing Process" Donald Barrett In Programs for
the Handicapped Available from Clearinghouse
on the Handicappei. Department of Education,
Washington, DC An overview of the fedcral
funding process in the n ..ability field, intenoed
to direct first-time grant seekers to the prope
source for information Include a "Resources for
Funding Information" section which lists a varieti
of organizations and publications which offer more
detailed information on this subject

To receive the current inform .tion on relevant


federal funding programs, you might consider sub-
scribing to

Education of the Handicapped The Independent .


Weekly News Service on Federal Legislation,
Programs and Funoing for Special Education Pi,b-
lished every other Wednesday $1E7 /year

Federal Grants & Contracts Weekly Selected Pro-


ject Opportunities for the Erlucafion Lommunity
Published every Tuesday $157/yea,

256 TECHNOLOCy FOR IN .SIENDENT LIVING SOURCEPnOK RESNA 1984 256


FUNDING, MODELS, Pe LICY, STATISTICS

SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS

There probably are as many definitions of service delivery as tt-ere are


prosziding it However the follow:rig workteg de f init.ran
%/tried

Service Delivery is a process/sstem which provides evaluative


and/or advisory services, and/or technical devises to disabled
persons to increase their independence and produc-vity

These services are-ovided on a cost-effective basis with the eventual


outcome the improvement of the quality of life

Service delivery agencies are listed throughout this resource guide Each
has its own approach to providing technology w disabled people For mcre
specific Iformation on their individual programs, please contact the
organizations directly

There are several frameworks for looking at service delivery Some are
listed in this section Information on others can be found in the Pros-
thetics/Orthotics literature The ma,,` Independent Living Programs (ILPs)
across the country can provide help in selecting, obtaining and using
assistive devices but most of them don't have a formal "equipment"
service, so it's easy to overlook their model as a service delivery ap-
proach Unfortunately, most of the ILP information relevant to this field
is not written up, you will have to .ontact the programs directly

EXAM°LES OF SER 'ICE DELI VERv MODELS

A MODEL PROGRAM FOR SERVICE DELIVERY Follow-up with clients and counselors indicates
satisfaction witn the program Project Threshold
Pro,.ct Threshold is e model program for delivery has evolved into a modal program which is being
of rehabilitation engineering services in the explored by other agencies nationwide who are
State of California It was desig a to meet the interested in developing similar proorams for the
unique needs of severely disab:ed clients who severely disabled
require specialized assistance in performing tasks
of daily living, assistance with management (3' Project Threshold is an example of a su, cessful
attendant time and activities, and/or pertormanee cooperative relationship between a rehabs, tation
of school and job related tasks The client's engineering program and a state vocational rehabi-
needs are met by identifying prct,lem areas and litation agency
then working out solutions to the problems'-us
increasing the client's le ,e1 of independence For more information, contact Nancy Somerville,
For more informat,on on how this is done, see the Project Threshold, 500 1-1U-", Rancho Los Amigos
section on EQUIPMENT SELECTION by Kathy Bowman, Hospital, Downey, CA
Project Threshold, in this Sourcebook

One component of the Rehabilitation Engineering AN INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE CENTRE


Center and Poject Threshold is the Rehabilitation
Equwnent Demonstration Unit IREDU) established by The PAM ASSIS-ANC.E CENTRE provides information
the National Institute for Handicapped Research about assistive devices old and new what they
(NIHR1 of the United states Department of Educa- are, what they cost, how they might be secured
tion Selection of Pancho Los Amigos Hospital as The cr nter has d reputation for being innovative
a site for a REDU has been invaluable to Project and practical
Threshold The purpose of the REfIll is to assist
disabled individual, with selection . appropriate The Centre offers information from more than 1,500
equipment by providing product information dr,d conwanies, and morn than 10,000 products Some-
opportunities for equipment trial The REDU at time; a homemade device or the innovative use of
Rancho is housed it a building called the Model some standard item is suggested If the services
Home, which is stocked with numeruus assistive of other persons, such as a rehabletation engi-
de.ces and rehabilitation equipment Project neer or an artificial language specialist, e
Threshold clients use the REDU equipment during required, the Centre acts as a linker Ao it on-
evaluations, the Model Home setting provides a ally, th Centre displays provide hands-on exper
realistic environment for this enoipmet trial terice with many assistive devices The Centre has
a trained ABLEDATA broker on staff
Project Threshold was funded initially through an
I&E grant and later as a block-funded contract Centre staff specialize in problem-wlving, work-
with the Department of Rehaoilitation with the ing with medical persor I, special educators,
goal of providing direct services to disabled parents and directly wil, any persor for whom
clients in the areas of independent living and pecial equtpr ent may be of benefit 'Nov handi-
mdependenee with schdal and job related tasks capped inc'ividuat is eligible for Centre iielp
9'7
257 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 257
FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

without cost or "ied tape" A PROJECT IN T"' SCHOOL SYSTEM

PAM is a cervice tor M'chigan, although out-of In July, 1978, The Bureau of Education for the
state requests also may be honored A majority of Handicapped awarded a three-year demonstration
requests fur prnhigim-en!...ing a,e :r1,t,o.ted want to the Memphis City Gulluuls, Division of
phone All ages are eligible for service The Special Education One objective of this grant
special education population (ages 0-25), rehabi- was to demonstrate that severely physically handi-
litation clients, and older persons are included capped children could partiripate more meaning-
Physically handicapped, deaf, blind, or multiply fully in their educational program with the
handicapped individuals often find the Centre assistance of te- hnical aids in the areas of com-
helpful munication, seating, mobility, feeding, and
toileting Technical services were contracted
For more inform tion, contact PAM Centre, 601 from the University of Tennessee, Rehabilitation
Maple, Lansing, MI, 517/371-5897 Engineering Center to provide and modify appro-
priate aids The project develop.d a model for
the delivery of technical aids in an education
setting, and designed an instrument to aid in the
prescription of technical aids

The full report, Project TEACH Technical Educa-


tional Aids for Children with Handicaps, A Model
arid Demonstration Project, may be ordered at $5 00
each from the Division of Specizl Education
Memphis City Schools, 2597 Avery Avenue, Memphis,
Tennessee 38112

For a summary of some of he findings related to


technology, see the TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
seution in this Resource Guide

awn}
PARENTS
MEDICAL THERAPY SCREENING EACHERS]
TREATVIENT
SEA WES ASSESSMENT
-T- IEP

TECHNICAL
COMIAIC L
SOLUTION
---
rACLITY

CUSTCM- ",
EVALUATE 1 DESIGNED
wriu SOLUTION
TRIAL Al)

APPROVAL]

PROVIDE
TRIAL Al)

PROM(
DEVICE APVAL
APPROVAL
CHILD, ST
ARENT TRAINING

L RE-EVALUATION
MAPRENANCE

DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL nEmitcEs IN AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING

AV

258 TECHNOLOGY roR INDEPENDENT LIVIWG SUURCEISOOK RESNA 1984 258


FVNUING. MODELS, POLIO, STATISTICS

AN INSTITUTION-RASED ADAPTIVE AID SERVICE

Tf e r.crnmonwealth of Massachusetts Department of


Mental Health supports six adaptive design ser-
vices, one in each of the six state schools The
following is a description of the Region I Adar-
five Design Service

The prograr- ras established in 1977 to help


meet the needs of the most severely disabled resi-
dents of the Belchertown State School in co-
operation with and :omplementing the existing
therapeutic, medical and educational services
For tne past three years, services have been ex-
tended to DMH clients outside the institi_ition
(including mary former state school residents),
and nearly half our time is now devoted to com-
munity projects We have continued to focus on
those needs of the most severely disabled which
cannot be met through commerci&'y avaiable
equipment Our primary goal has Peen to design
and build lomfortable, stable, and safe position-
ing systems for these people, seeing good posi-
tioning as a pre,equistte for any other skills
Most often we do this by modifying standard wheel-
( hairs, sometimes quite drastically, to provide
very specific six) individualized support We also
design and b:nld pieces of equipment to aid
clients with self care activities like eating and
dressing, communication, and school and work-
related activities Our environmental des gn
services include custom design of wheelchair
ramps, accessible bathrooms, work station modifi-
cations and recommendations for commercial equip-
ment to increase a client's independence within
his or her environme,it Although he emphasis of
the program has been on service delivery, the
phtlosop' and funding structur t have allowed time
for researching technical and c inical develop-
ments and availability of equipment on the com-
mercial market

Adaptive Equipment Services

Region I Adaptive Design Services, B chertown


Star School, Box 42, Belcherto vn, MA 01007

Alternative Desigr, Wrentham State School, Box


144, Wrentham, MA 02093

Adaptive Design Services, Paul A Deyer S' ate


School, Taunton, MA 02780

Therapeutic Equipment Clinic, Fernald State


School, 200 Trapt lo Road, Waltham, MA 02172

Adaptive Equipment Clinic, Hocan Region,ii Center,


Hathorne, MA 01937

Adaptiva equipment Services, Monson Developmental


Center, Ptawer "F", Palmer, MA 01069

A similar program exists in the state of Ca)i-


forma For more information, contact Mobility
Engineering, Sonoma State Hospital, Eldridge, CA
95431, 707/938 6445

t o find out of your state has such a service,


contact the agency resonsible for Developmental
Disabilities
9 --
259 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIv1P44.; SOURCESOOK RESNA 1984 /59
FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

PUBLICATIONS ON SERVIC:. DELIVERY MODELS

Assisive Devices for Handicapped Students A Interagency Cooperation


Model and Guide for a Statewide nelIVPI-V SVCti4111
National Association of State Directors of Public These references do not deal specifically with
'7dIvcation, 1201 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, device delivery, but could prove useful if the
DC 20036,202/844 -4193 27 pages $4 50 1980 approach you develop involves developing inter-
This publication describes an ideal model for a agency cooperative agreements, anro,r gets In-
comprehensive assistive device center that can volved with the home health care ma ket
provide a cost-effect.ve, coordinated delivery
system to assure that handicapped students who. Handbook on Developing Effective Linking Ftra-
need adaptive aids and equipment have access to tecpes Vocational Education Model- for Linkina
T. em and are trained in their most efficient use Ager:-..-ies Serving the HandicappeG Wiscons,n Voca-
The document includes a guide for implementation tional Studies Center, University of Wisco,,sin-
of the .node) and a comprehensive listing of Madison, Madison, WI 53706 1982 Alth, igh this
able resources throughout the country book IF ,ocused to vocational education models,
the strategies they use could be useful to organ,
"Delivery of Assistive Devices Through a Client zations c, agencies trying TO implement rehabili-
Oriented Approach" AM Cook In Technology for tation engineering services and/or inter :aency
Ii-Asependent Living, VW Stern and M R Reddon, technical aids p,ojects The bibliography in tnis
editors HAAS, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, book lists reports on exemplary programs in
Washington, DC 20036 1982 several states

"Models of Clinical Evaluation Centers for Commu-


nication Aids" AM Cook Proceedings of the Home Care/Health Care
1982 DILIch Conference, The Spastics Society,
London, England 1982 How to Es 3blish a Home Healtt, Agency Some Pre-
liminary Considerations Publication 84-1
Project TEACH Technical Educational Aids for National Association for Homecare, Research Divi-
Children with Handicaps, A Model and Demonstration sion, 519 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Pro ert, may be ordered at $5 00 each from the $12 00 The National Association for Home Care
Division of Special Education, Memphis City has published a booklet advising persons consider
Schools, 2597 Avery Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee ing entry to the home care field of tne steps
38112 1981 Describes a project to direct necessary for establishing a home health agency
rehabilitation engineering to the needs of The goal of the publication is to ensure that
children with severe neuromuscular and communica- persons or organizations considering ente,ing home
tion deficiencies Aids and devices were designed care know al; the state and federal requirements
or adapted to assist in communication, seating, and NAHC's code of ethics
mobility, feeding, and toileting The program
included a technology section, services to Planet -g for Home Health Services A Resource
children and to parents InCudes case studies, Handbook U S Department of Health and Human
project newsletters, forms, data sheets, and pho- Services Available from National Technical
tographs The project was conducted in coopera- Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Hoye! Ro
tion with the University of Tennessee Rehabi- Springfield, VA 22161 Specify Publication //HIP-
litation Engineering Program 0102001 Free A guide for planners of horrn
health care services It can be a particularly
"A Proposed Evaluation Methodology for Rehabilita- useful tool for nein agenr
tion Engineering Decision-Making" P Platt and
D A. Hobson Proceedings of the Inter-nation Sr ftware Catalog of Cc ,utei Programs for the
Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering, Toronto, Health Care Industries Moore Data Manageme -'
Ontario 1980 Services, 1660 South Highway 100, Minneapolis, MN
55415, 612/540-1033 $3995
"Selected Funding Issues in Rehabilitation Engi-
neering Se Ice Delivery" R Holte Proceedings
c; the Sixth Annual Conference an Rehabilitation Sound Business Practices
Engineering, San Diego kvallable from RESNA,
Suite 402, 4405 East-West Highway, Bethesda. MD Little has been writinn on the business operation
20814 1983 aspects of specialized assistive device services
However, there is a consiotrable amount written
The Service Delivery Process" C Greg Shaw about business practice and funding issues in the
Chapter 13, in Seating for Children with Cerebral durable medica equipment (OME) trade magazines
Palsy A Resource Manual, Elaine Trefier, Editor If you are concerned with (4 erating a service in
University of Tennessee, Rehabilitation Engineer- the black, you might confect crganuations such as
ing Progran, 682 Court Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163 National Association of Medical Equipment Sup-
$20 00 198i pliers %NAMES), and attend some of the DME/Home
Care trade shows to leers more about the commer
"Towards a Theoretical Framework of Service Deli- cial perspective and what you can learn from it
very" R Levy Proceedings of the Sixth Annual
Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering, San
r.,..)
Diego Available from RESNA. Suite 402, 4405
East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814 1983

260 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBCOK P .SNA 1904 260


FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

POI ICY-RELATED PUBLICATIONS ON TECHNOLOGY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

The Application of Technological Developments to These publications address the broader public
Physically Disabled People Joseph La Rorra an/1 policy issues related to disabled people Each of
Jerry S Turem Publications Office, Urban Insti- these references includes references to technology
tute, 210C M Street NW, Washington, .)C 20047 use by physic4lly disabled individuals
117 panes $3 50 1978
Handicapping A.-nerica Barriers to Disabled People
Application of Technology to Handicapped Indivi- Frank Bowe Harper & Row, 10 E 53rd Street, New
duals Process, Problems, and Progress U S York, NY 10022 254 pages $1495 Introduction
Government Printing Office, 60-3190, Washington, to disability, attituaes, architectural and trans-
DC 20402 April, 1980 A joint report for the portation barriers, and programs affecting handi-
Subcommittee on Science, Research and Technology capped Americans
of the Committee on Science and Technology, U S
House of rlepresentatives, and the Subcommittee on "Physical Disability and Public Policy" Gerben
Labor and of the Committee on Human Resources, DeJong and Raymond Lifchez Scientific American,
U S Senate, 96th Congress Vol 248, No 6, pages 40-49, June, 1983 This
article examines U S policy with respect to citi-
Health Technology Case Study Report #26 Prepared zens with disabilities The authors summarize the
as a background paper to: Technology and Handi- existing knowledge of the dimensions of disability
capped People Office of Technology Assessment, and the growth patterns ov.-,r the past twenty
U S Congress 1982 One third of the report years, discuss the extent to which disability laws
covers the area of "Information ,nd Funding for have been implemented, and suggest necessary eco-
the Speech Impaired It provides an analysis of nomic ingredients for a working disability policy
funding issues related to communication a.ds in today's political and economic climate A
major focus of the article is the area of archi-
A Research Agenda on Science and Technology for tectural accessibility Complementing the article
the Handicapped Janrt Welsh Brown and Martha are charts and graphs illustrating the federal
Redden American Association for the Advancement disability law., and the demographic information
of Science, '776 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washing-
ton, DC 20035 54 pages 1979 Rehabilitating America Toward Independence f--
Disabled Americans Frank Bowe irper & Row, 10
Suggested Approach for Establishing a f ehabilita- E 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022 $12 95 Dis-
tion Engineering Information Service for the State cusses the economics of disability and age This
of California Lo F Chesty, Gail Kelton-Fogg, book has many useful statistics for demonstrating
Ruth Lizak and Cynthia Vahlkarnp SP1 Interna the effectiveness of rehabilitation
tional, Menlo Park, California 271 pages 1978
The White House Conference on Handicapped indivi-
Technology and Handicapped People U S Congress duals, Awareness Papers, Vol 1 George Washing-
Office of Technology Assessment 'OTA, 1982 ton Univer- ty, School of Medicine, Washington,
Summary available from OTA, Congress of the U S, DC 466 pages 1977
Washington, DC 20510 Full report available
rom S/N 052-003-00874, Superintendent of Docu- The Unexpected Minority Hand '-aoped Children in
ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC America John Gliedman and William Roth for the
20402 $700 This is an excellent analysis of Carnegie Council on Children Harcourt Brace
the entire field of applied technology for dis- Jovanovich, New York, NY 517 95 This fifth and
abled people final .eport from the Carnegie Council on Children
Lomes to a stunning conclusion no other minority
The Use of Technology in the Car, of the Elderly group has its social and political oppressio- so
and the Disabled Tools for Living Jean Bray arid thoroughly masked Is the 10 million handicapped
Sheila Wright, editors Greenwood Press, West- children and 30 mi!iion handicapped adults in
port Connecticut 1980 Based on oapers at two America Th.s book is the first comprehensive
symposia held in London and Berl.- in 1979 under study to apply a civil rights lens to the problems
the sponsorship of the Commission of the European of boll, handicapped children and adult.; As tne
Communities The main Focus of this book is on authors make clear in this analysis, it is the
ways and means of putting better pr "ducts at the social rather than the biological aspects of
service of the elderly and the disabled in pre- disability that aoom so many handicapped children
senting a collection of international papers by and adults to stunted and useless lives The
industrialists, government o!ficials, financiers, author- also propose a radically new approach to
experts from r,onsumer protection services and disability
charitable organizations, as well as those working
daily in the field, this study sets out to provide
a blueprint for understanding how the development
of new and adapted products can most construc-
tive y be translated into practical help f or the
elderly and the handicapded

26 i TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 261


FUNDING, MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

INFORMATION ON TECHNOLOGY COST/EFFECT,VENESS/AND BENEF;T

EMPLOYMENT-RELATED TECHNOLOGY FACTS & FIGURES Canter lists facts sach as

Accommodation Can Be Reasonable A Study of Accom- "After headaches, back pain is man s most common
modations Provided to Handicapped Employees by and intractable complaint
Federal Contractors Berkeley Planning Asso-
ciates, in collaboration with its subcon,ractor, "80-90% of all Americans will suffer significant
Harold Russell Associates, produced th Jciv for back pain sometime in their lives
the Department of Labor IDOL) It is the fi
national survey concerning acrommo.'ation practices "In the United States, there are an estimated 75
for disabled employees of private sector employers million people with back problems
who contract with the Federal govern ment
"There are 7 million new victims of back pain each
Some of th,.. findings of this study it dude year Of these, million are partially or tem-
porarily disabled, and 2 million will be unable to
An overall conclusior of the analysis is that for work at all
firms which have made efforts to hire worker' with
disabilities, accommodation is "no big deal "Back pain ranks second only t_, Jpoer respirato'y
Rarely did an accommodation involve much cost, 51% infections in terms of work time lost due to
of those reported cost nothing, an additional 30% illness
cost less than $50C, and only 8% cost more than
$2,000 "There are 93 million wo,kdays lost each /ear due
to back pain and $5 million ,pent annually for
Accommodations for ir.lividual workers take many diagnostic and treatment procE dures
forms, including the following training and
transfers 114%), Job modification and restruc- "An estimated 200,000 Americans will have back
turing (23%1, oiientation of staff and supervisors surgery each year A third of these will have
111370L special eguloiner,*, acid assistance 115%), additional surgery, usu..11:y fusion
work environment and location changes 121%1, and
other (9%) No particular type of accommodation 'Disc disorders occu, more frec,,iently in the prime
dominates Most workers receive more than one of the worklife expectancy ages 30-40
'e id of accommodation
"Once an individual has had a back problem, he is
The most expensive and extensive accommodations 10 times more likely to suffer problems again
tended to be provided to the blind and those who
use wheelchairs Higher skilled workers wen more and ancther ai ocle, 'Disability Does Affect me
s-iften prcvided environmental adaptatiors of the Economy," states
work place or special equipment than lower skilled
workers Lower skilled workers were more 'ikels "Some of the causes of current high interest rates
to receive Job redesign accommodations, e can be directly attribu ed to disability costs
training, o selective placement In 1981, 40"/., of Social Security benefits went to
medical payments or disabilo, ',come In add'
Accommodation efforts are generally perce.ved as Lion, $150 billion or 8". of the GAP was spent on
succassfs I in allowing the Eorker to be effective transfer and medical payments This money spent
on the r313 Firms frequently reported that the by government and indust'y should go to capital
accommodation would bsnet t the ernploy3e if pro- roves ment, which in turn 'iould add to a health,,
rr,oted to a neEi job a,-id also stated that often econc, / Companies could reduce these staggering
other nondisabled workers also benefited from the figures by both improving ri-house disability
accommodation management programs are] employing qualified dis
aoled individuals'
Availability of the report is limited at this
time, but inquiries should be directed to In "Engineering Aids Reduce Barriers to Employ-
ment for Severely Handicapped Clients,' Rehab
Mr Thomas Hodges, Development and Research, Brief, Volume 1, No 8, August 1978 Available
Employment Star lards Administration, Dept of from National Institute of Handicapped Research,
Labor, Room C-3313, 200 Constitution Avenue NW Department of Education Washington, DC 20202
Washfigton, DC 20210, 202/523 9145
'Making low-cost changes in work environments
helped clients perform more job-related physical
Disability Management Today The hi- monthly publi- tasks As a result, productivity of many of these
cation coieriiig business issues of employment of clients equals or surpasses that of nondisabled
disabled persons Michael Zu llo, editor Avail- employees doing the same tasks State vocational
Ale from Mueller & Zullo Inc, 16 Hudsor rehabilitation agencies paid for purchased equip-
Street, New York, NY 100;1 212/732 5557 ment and materials for custom-designed aids The
average cost per client was $153, with the range
Succinct well- .-itten tides contain information from $0 tc $1,806 The average time -equired to
and statistics which ,Id be oseful .n docu fabricate devices or install purchased devices was
menting the need and cost effect.veness for 21 hours, with the minimum 6 and the maxim,Ern 30
var,ouS technology-related services For xample, hours
in VnlJme I, Issue 3, "The Cost! Back Ri hard
(2:
26k. TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 262
FUNDING, MODELS, POUCY, STATISTICS

INDEPENDENT LIVING TECHNOLOGY: FACTS AND FIGI'RES SEATING & POSITION G DEVICES. FACtS & FIGURES
Project Threshold has been described in other "Provision of Assistive Equipment for Handicapped
sections of this Resource Guide (EQUIPMENT SELEC- Persons" J Kohn. MO, S Enders, OTR, J
TION PROCESS, SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS) Preston, Jr MSW. W Moltoch. CO Arrhiyec of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol 64,
It is significant to note that despite the fact August 1983, pages 378-381 Data from the
that all clients serve, by Project Threshold are National Health Survey (19771, US Vital and Health
severely disabled, in 77% of these cases the solu- Statistics, indicated that 645,000 persons require
tion involved adaptive behavior and/or commer- the use of a wheelchair At the 1977 median cost
cially available devices and resulted in lower of $700 per wheelchair, the total expenditures in
average costs per client Only when these more the United States totalled more than $550 million
conservative methods had been xhausted did they Data concerning costs, service delivery problems,
turn to custom modificatio and fabrication of and equipment life span were not available in the
equipment for problem solution This occurred in literature The evaluation of these factors ap-
23% of the cases After developing and refining pears to be a major gap in measuring the success
their systematized approach to service delivery, of rehabilitation engineering services and re-
they have noted growth and changes in the program search In this study, effectiveness and relative
Initially, the vast majority of solutions involved costs of mobility-postural seating were evaluated
custom de.tices, now the majority of solutions art in 196 clients Of the 196 to whom a question-
found in adaptive behavior and/or commercially naire was sent 138 (70%) responded and 49 (25%)
available equipment were selected for personal interview Demographic
data were comparable in the 3 groups Eighty-
eight percent were entirely nonambulatory, 540/s
received electric wheelchairs In the 49 clients
Percentage visited 79% of ti,? ::::vices were rated optimal or
Service Categories of Cases close to optimal in performance, 21% were rated
limited or unsatisfactory Fifty-two percent were
Problem identification being used currently 23°/0 had been outgrown and
and/or adaptive hehay.nr 20°/, eplacer!, and 35% were not being used for other
recommendations reasons Of the devices to use, the average dura-
tion time was 25 months and the average time in
Evaluation and recommenda- use per day was 9 hours For the devices which
tion of commercially 570/o had been outgrown, the life span of the device was
available equipment 309 montl,s and the cost per day was about $1 50
Implications of the findings are discussed and
Evaluation ar d modification recommendations are made for better assessment,
of commerci7lly avaliaole 9 "/o follow-up and evaluation of both the assistive
equipment devices and the service process

Evaluation and custom The full report of the study in this paper is
des.on and fabricatiar of 14'/". entitled Team Assesainent of Device Effectiveness
equipment A Retrospective Study, by J Kohn, MD, S Enders,
OTR, J Preston, Jr, MSW, W Moltoch, CO It is
avaoable from Children's '-lospital at Stanford,
Service Category Statistics tor Project o20 Willow Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304
Threshold 1982-82 ITotal=-80 clients)

263 TliCHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 263


FUNDING. MODELS. POLICY. STATISTICS

LIFETIME COSTS
IS COST EFFECTIVENESS THE ..NSINS117
The following chart is reprinted with permission
from "How Much Is Your Disability Worth?: Accent Before we get too caught up in looking at ways to
on Levin, Summer 1981 The rhsr,meau th. produce evidence of cost effectiveness, it. is
use of a human fasters analyst to determine the important to look at the results of this OTA
cost of a disability study

"The following is the summary of the goods and The Implications of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of
services needed by a 23-year-old who lost one hand Medical Technology, Office of Technology Assess
and most of the other in a punch press machine ment Congress of the United States, Washingto,i,
accident The figures are based on an ergonomics DC 20510 August, 1980
study done in 1978 The figures cover costs for
him ovi is remaining life span to meet his "The rapid and continuing growth of expenditures
disabili related needs No amounts are allowed is a central issue in many policy decisions con-
for extra medical expense, insurance coverage, o- cerning the medical care system of the United
earning losses States Policymakers, health professionals, and
consumers are seeking ways to control this growth
while simultaneously improving the quality of
Total Life Span health care Increasingly, the use of cost
First -Year Costs (without effectiveness analysis/cost-benefit analysis
Major Categories Costs inflation) (CEA/CBA) is being advocated as a possible means
of making the medical care system more efficient
A Prosthetic Ads $7 Q12 $90,966 In particular, this technique is suggested for use
and Services in health care programs fc' example, by the
B Special Exercise .`0840 $8,820 medicare program in its reimbursement cc .eranc
Atos and Physical decisions Nevertheless, a great deal of confu-
Therapy sion er...1 disagreement surrounds the implications
C Dressing Aids and $4,031 $75,273 and feasibility of applying CEA/CBA in health
Clothing Modifications care To aid in their decisions concerning the
D Special Home Aids, $52,370
. tee use of CEA/CBA in Federal health pro-
$11,896
Furnishings, any yrarviS, the Senate Committees on Labor and Human
Modifications Resources and on Finance asked OTA to explore the
E Travel Aids and $36,679
applicability of CEA/CBA to medical technology
$4,833
Special Automobile
Features "The primary focus of the assessment is on the
F Special Vocational $34,773 application of CEA/CBA to medical technology,
$7,202
Aids and Counseling e, the drugs, devices, mer ical and surgical
G Special Recreative $6,270 procedures used in iiiedical care, and the organiza-
$2,03G
H .Assistance and Extra $185,803 tional and support systems within which such care
$4,321 is provided
Services The findings of this assessment,
TOTALS $490,954 though, might very well apply to health rare
$43,1
resource decisionmaking in general and with mud,-
ficaticn, to other policy areas s...ich as education,
the environment, and occupational safety and
health

"Application of Dimensional Analysis in Deter- "This OTA assessment finds toat CEA/CBA c. of
mining Cost/Benefit of Handicapped Devices serve as the sole or primary determinan of a
Brian R Drufke, P E, Selyn W Becke,, Ph D health care Jecis, n Decisionmaking could be
Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Conference on improved, however, by the process of identifying
Rehebilttation Engireering, Washington, DC and considering all the relevant costs and 'oene
Available from RESNA, Suite 402, 4405 Last-West fits of a decision At present, using the ap-
Highway, Bethesda, MD [0814 1981 This paper proach or process of CEA/CBA in decisionmaking may
presents a generalized method of performing cost/ ae rnore helpful than the rig ,d and formal applica-
benefit analysis on aids and devices for the han- tion of CEA/CBA study results in health care pro-
rlicappeJ using dimension& analysis The utility gram decisions It is unrealistic, moreover, to
of the method presented is that both objective and expect that CEA/CGA/ in itself, would be an of
subjective selection factors influencing the cost fective tool for reducing or controlling overall
benefit analysis can be considered simultaneously expenditures for medical care" from Summery
Additionally, this analysis method allows dissimi- and Pclic Options
lar devices or &ids designed to compensate for the
same loss of function to lot compared with each
other or against a chosen benchmark

264 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 264


FUNDING. MODELS, POLICY, STATISTICS

STATISTICAL INFORMATION RESOURCES

Whether you need demogranhic statistics for acti- tics This publication provides a compenoium of
vities such as program planting, or for documenta- late describing the demography of the SCI cooula-
tion of needs and Impact r-iements in research tinn, the etiology of SCI, medical aspects of SCI
and funding prr po-a!3, the references can be hard management, SCI survival rates, and medical and
to find Here are some sources of data social outcomes associated with SCI model systems
care As context for this data, Dr J Paul
Statistics on Technology for Disabled People Thomas, director of medical and technical programs
at the National Institute of Handicapped Research,
Technolog.; and the Handicapped, Office of Tech- provides an excellent historical perspective on
nology Assessment, U S Congress, Washington, DC SO care
Analyzes the policies and problems related to
current disability statistics Regarding technological involvement in S'l, it is
noted in c general way, early in the book, that
Use of Special Aids in the United States in 1977, biomedical engineering is developing adaptive
Series 10, Number 135 DHHS Publication No (PHS) interfaces between "spinet man" and his environ-
81-1563 Available from U S Department of ment In the section on "Non-Medical Expenditure
Health and Human Services, Office of Health Re- costs of environmental modification as a function
sea-ch, Statistics and Technology, National Center ,.ars following injuri and level/extent of
for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD, 202/436- impatrment "Environmental modification" is de-
8500 October 1980 Statistics on the distribu- fined to include a major portion of the adaptive
tion and use of artificial limbs, braces, equipment which may be prescribed for the SCI
crutches, canes or w.-":ing sticks, special shoes, patient
wheelchairs, walkers, and other special aids fo,
getting around Based on data collectert in the National Survey of Stroke, 1980 The National
National Health Interview Survey in '9 '/ Head and Spinal Cord injury Survey, 1980. Avail-
able from the National institutes of Health,
Statistics About Disabled People Washington, DC The National Institute of Neuro-
logical and Communicative Disorders and Stroke has
The Physically Impaired Population of the United undertaken a series of surveys aimed at providing
States Finny & Associates, 4079C 24th Street, valid national statistics on incidence, preva-
San Francisco, CA 94114. $40 00 1978 Th is lence, and cost
report presents a statistical breakdown on the
handicapped oopulation of the U S Both published e California Disability Survey J M Shanks
and "mpublished st,rvey data from tie U S National (VC -B) and H E. Freeman (UCLA) Available from
Cente7 inf. Health Statistics serv.a as the basic Califenia 'epartment of Rehabilitation, 830 K
source of aures The report covers physical Street Mall, Sacramento, CA 1980
conditions only, as opposed to mental Six major
categories are detai'ed visual, heering, soeech, Digest of Data on Persons with Disabilities Pre-
paralysis partial or complete, absence of ex- pared under contract to the Cong,'essional Research
tremities, and orthopedic Each category is Service, Library of Congress by Rehab Grouo, Inc
broken down further by degree A unique feature Available from U S Government Printing Office,
of this report is a description of how the indivi- Wash.ngton, DC 20402 Stock Number 017 -090-
duals themselves view their characteristics as a 00050-0 May 19'9
limitation of their ability to carry on daily
living activities Labor Force Status and Other Characteristics of
Persons with a Work )isability 1982 U S Bureau
In addition and complementary to describing these of the Census, Currer t Population Reports, Series
conditions, several sections are devoted to demo- P-23, No 127, US Government Printing Office
graphic characteristics of the target population $4 50 1983
Noteworthy are statistics on family income, age
use of sc,e,.ted aids, .ind the costs of rehabilita- Characteristics of Special populations Implica-
tion programs to the ederal government tions for Recreation Participation and Planning
Carol Ann Petersen and Peg Connolly Hawkins &
Characteristics of the institutionalized popula- associates, Inc, 804 D Street NE Wash.lgton, DC
tion are described separately from those of the .01 2 1978
nonmstitutionalized population A final sect r
provides information on geographic disiribution,
including state-by-state breakdowns for all cate-
gories and for the total ,ocidence among the work-
ing age population

Spinal Cord Injury Statistics John S Youn et


al Available from Good Samaritan Medical
Centr, enoenix, AZ 152 pages $25 00 prepaid
1982 The National Spinal Cord Injury Data Re-
search Center (NSCIDRC% established at Good
Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, Ar zona, has
summarized their collection of data on spinal cord
Injuries in the publication Spral Cord Stat,s-

265 TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENNT LIVING SOURCEBOOK RESNA 1984 265


MAE ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS FOR THE TECHNOLOGY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING SOURCEOOK

FEBRUARY, 1985

ADDRESS CHAt2C7S

RESNA EQUIPMENT vOR THE °MARI Frt Series Di:SABLE:: Lit NC FDUNDATRIN
1101 Connecticut Avenue NW Mary Marlborough Lodge 380-384 Harrow Road
Suite 700 Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre London W9 2HU
Washington DC 20036 Headington ENGLAND
202/857-1199 Oxford 0X3 7L0
ENGLAND
LB per book

INFORMATION SERVICES AND RESOURCES -- EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY


DATABASES, CLEARINGHOUSES, NETWORKS
Proceedings of the International Conference or
Assistive Device Database System (ADDS) is now Rural Rehabilitation Technologies October, ,984
solely available from Assistive Device Centel, 285 pages $30 plus $254 postage Available
California State University, Sacramento, CA from ICCRT Headquarters, Box 8103, Univ,Irsitv
95819, phone 916/454-6422 Contact person Helen Station, Grand Forks ND 58202
Waodal, Resource Coordinator

RECREATIONAL & LEISURE TECHNOLOGY --


TECHNOLOGY AT HOME TOYS AND GAMES

An Accessible Entrance Ramps Design Coaliticn, USA Toy Library Association


Inc, 1201 Williamson Street, Madison WI 53705 5940 W Touhy Avenue
1979 37 pages Text and clea graphics presents Chicago, IL 60648
the basics of ramp evaluation, planning design, 312/763-7350
construction and materials

The Idea Machine Mary O'Donnell, RPT Little


People of America Foundation 20 pages $2 00
CONTROL, COMMUNICATION ANO SENSORY AIDS --
SENSORY AIDS
Available from the author at Johns Hopkins
Hosn :-I Baltimore MD 21206, or from local Sensory A ids Technology Update Annual
chapters of Little People of America A booklet subscriptlim is now $37/year
of handy hints for short-statured people Mainly
describes adaptive techniques, and creative use of
mass market products, but aiso includes several MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS
DIY equipment ideas
Microcomputers in the Schools Implementation
Making Life More Livable Irving Dickman Soecal Educailor Tom Hanley 3 HA rc"ingtouies
American Foundation ror the Blind, 15 West 16th 101 S Highland Si-eet An -talon V.:`, 22204
Street, New York NY 1001 i 1983 92 pages
Describes simple, inexpensive adaptations for the Personal Computers and the Disabled Pieter
home of blind and visually impaired older people McWilliams October 1 394 416 pages 39 95
The emphasis is on solutions that can be made by Quantum Press. Doubt( v & Company, Garden City
the person him, herself or by a relative, friend, NY
or handy neight or The infc:mation is '.ery
practical, and makes every effort to make do with FUNDING FUNDING
what is on hand, e g, a rubber band to identify
which b.-ttle is heart medicine Health Technology Case Study 30 The Market for
Wheelchairs -- Innovations and Federal Policy
Resource Guide of Continence Aids and Servir .s November 1924 68 pages Office of Technology
Sv mer, 1984 41 pages $3 00 Available trom Assessment, US Congress, Washington DC 20513
Help for incontinent People (HIP) P 0 Box 544
Union SC 29739 Policy Analysis Series Paper No 22 Improving the
Quality of Life for People Wth Oisabilihes
Xandria Collection Catalog Syr tai Edition for Potential Uses of Technology Apr,' 1984 31
Disabled People Lawrence Research Grouo, P 0 pages ;available from Development Disabilities
Box 31039, Department DP, San Francisco CA 94131 prugrar. , State Planning Agency, 201 Capitol Square
3rd edition (special) 1983. 35 pages Free Building, 550 Cedar Street, St Paul MN 55101
This discreet catalog of commercially-available
sexual aids has a section app 26-28) on homemade
adaptations, modifications, etc, for vibrators FUNDING -- DO-IT-YOURSELF
written for root:fie who find grasping a vibrator
difficult
Adaptive Equipment Inexpensive, Custom
Designed, Do-It-yourself Lear Da vis,
Sherrilyn Hawkins, any laurie Raymond 1979
81 pages No charge Available from
Educational Service Region, Cook County, 33
West Grand Avenue, Chicago, II 60610

Patterns and plans for constructing therapy


equipment, positioning devices, and other
assistive devices from TRI-WALL cardboard
The Association for the Cdvancernent of Rehabilitation fechnolf (RESNA) organization
fncerned with the application of science a-rd technology in the rehabilitative process RESNA bnngs
to,,,,tlier a diverse cpoup of individuals with u,idely myng credentials activities and interests who are
committed to designing ch evaluating, and providing nevices that will put the benefits of
techin cm' to person,' voth disahilihes Its membership include' rehabilitation professionals,
from all disciplines), providers, and coi.sur- ers A goal of the onjani/ation is to facilitate the interaction
between these groups so they can Netter meet the needs of those who can benefit from the application of
technology in rehabilitation

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