Products for People With Limited Mobility. — Scope | Disability forum
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Products for People With Limited Mobility.

lkenny105
lkenny105 Community member Posts: 14 Listener
Hello all! I am designing a product to aid people with mobility issues for my Design and Technology GCSE. The product is going to be a table that stands over your lap to provide a stable surface when sitting down, whether in bed or on the sofa etc. If you have, have had or know of someone with limited mobility of any level, would you mind completing this short questionnaire to ensure I am making a product that is the most practical for its use.

Comments

  • Academic12
    Academic12 Posts: 23 Listener
    Hi, would like to see some pix of this, sounds like great idea potentially
  • lkenny105
    lkenny105 Community member Posts: 14 Listener
    Hi, would like to see some pix of this, sounds like great idea potentially
    Hello, I am currently in the stage of gathering research for the design but thank you for your reply. I can send you a pic of the finished product next year if you're still interested.
  • Academic12
    Academic12 Posts: 23 Listener
    thank you, I wish you all the best.
  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,882 Disability Gamechanger
    Can I see some pictures of it? It could possibly work for Oliver. 
  • lkenny105
    lkenny105 Community member Posts: 14 Listener
    Can I see some pictures of it? It could possibly work for Oliver. 
    Thanks for your response! I am only at the research and planning stage now. It would be really helpful if you could complete the survey, so I can design a useful and practical product. Would that be possible?
  • newborn
    newborn Community member Posts: 832 Pioneering
    There are many designs of bed table on the market , dozens, probably. . What would be different?   There are organisations making one offs, for things not available.  Why not ask them if there is a common request for adaptation, which they can't solve but you can?
  • lkenny105
    lkenny105 Community member Posts: 14 Listener
    newborn said:
    There are many designs of bed table on the market , dozens, probably. . What would be different?   There are organisations making one offs, for things not available.  Why not ask them if there is a common request for adaptation, which they can't solve but you can?
    Thank you so much, this is really helpful. Do you happen to know the name of any of these organisations? And if you have any ideas of features you feel these pre-existing products are lacking please leave them on my survey above. Thanks again.
  • April2018mom
    April2018mom Posts: 2,882 Disability Gamechanger
    I filled out the survey. Just wondering what exactly are you making? 
  • lkenny105
    lkenny105 Community member Posts: 14 Listener
    I filled out the survey. Just wondering what exactly are you making? 
    It will be a table for beds or sofas that could be used as a surface for eating, propping up a laptop, reading, etc. I am yet to decide the specific features but that is my basic idea. Thank you for completing the survey.
  • newborn
    newborn Community member Posts: 832 Pioneering
    They already invented wheels, sliced bread, and bed tables exactly like you describe.     It is N  O  T  a new idea.     

    1.    Have you ever tried online searching, or on line shopping? 
    2.    Have you ever seen a hospital ward, even on t.v?
    3.    Does your teacher ever speak to you?
  • Geoark
    Geoark Community member Posts: 1,463 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @lkenny105

    As newborn points out it is not a new idea, but please do not let this put you off. We had an electric lightbulb, but then someone found a way to improve on it and with new technology there are now a huge range of lightbulbs which are more efficient.

    Similarly while the wheel is an ancient device and luggage bags in various formats have existed for centuries, yet it is only recently in the timeline someone thought of adding these two items together.

    As part of your research I would suggest looking at sites like Amazon and type in 'lap table' and see the range and variations as well as having reviews by people who bought them.

    Innovation often comes from identifying or recognising a problem and producing a solution.

    A very simple innovation can go on to make a huge difference in many lives, see this https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23536914

    I wish you well with your project.

    As an individual I stood alone.
    As a member of a group I did things.
    As part of a community I helped to create change!

  • Geoark
    Geoark Community member Posts: 1,463 Disability Gamechanger
    edited September 2018
    Removed as double posted

    As an individual I stood alone.
    As a member of a group I did things.
    As part of a community I helped to create change!

  • newborn
    newborn Community member Posts: 832 Pioneering
    @geoark.   Oh dear, I stand corrected. Wheeled suitcases did indeed wait a long time to be born.   

    By the way, a spare wheelie bin is often better than a wheelbarrow.

    Plus, those strange  shopping trolleys which have 3 big wheels each side on the axle are a great way to drag a load up stairs.  

    And, I vote for a special place in any available heaven, to be reserved for whoever invented big castor wheels, so even a small child can easily move the heaviest of furniture.

    But, most architects, policy makers, builders, most  planners, politicians, council and even health officials,  and most  designers,  are so disability and age neglectful, that they will be going somewhere entirely different!
  • lkenny105
    lkenny105 Community member Posts: 14 Listener
    Geoark said:
    Hi @lkenny105

    As newborn points out it is not a new idea, but please do not let this put you off. We had an electric lightbulb, but then someone found a way to improve on it and with new technology there are now a huge range of lightbulbs which are more efficient.

    Similarly while the wheel is an ancient device and luggage bags in various formats have existed for centuries, yet it is only recently in the timeline someone thought of adding these two items together.

    As part of your research I would suggest looking at sites like Amazon and type in 'lap table' and see the range and variations as well as having reviews by people who bought them.

    Innovation often comes from identifying or recognising a problem and producing a solution.

    A very simple innovation can go on to make a huge difference in many lives, see this https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23536914

    I wish you well with your project.
    Thank you, I appreciate your kindness.
  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    Please can everyone be mindful of other people's opinions and know that their ideas are to benefit the conversation. Thanks :)

    Scope

  • Jean_OT
    Jean_OT Community member Posts: 513 Pioneering
    Hi @lkenny105

    It was mentioned earlier in the thread that there are organisations which specialise in driving innovation by making disability products not available commercially and you asked for their details. The two I would normally signpost to are: 

    REMAP https://www.remap.org.uk/ and DEMAND https://www.demand.org.uk/

    You might also be interested in: http://designtogetherlivebetter.org/

    Good luck with your project

    Best Wishes

    Jean


    Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT

    You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist

  • lkenny105
    lkenny105 Community member Posts: 14 Listener
    Hi @lkenny105

    It was mentioned earlier in the thread that there are organisations which specialise in driving innovation by making disability products not available commercially and you asked for their details. The two I would normally signpost to are: 

    REMAP https://www.remap.org.uk/ and DEMAND https://www.demand.org.uk/

    You might also be interested in: http://designtogetherlivebetter.org/

    Good luck with your project

    Best Wishes

    Jean


    Thank you so much @Jean_Scope

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