Our starting point was to align with the client's existing hab- its and activities, adhering to established working methods. So, we created a new signaling device, designed in the same shape as the client's familiar pencil case. However, this new version fea- tured a triangular shape to ensure it could stably rest on a table.
set time, for instance, "something" disappears every one, two, or five minutes. This feature can be supported with tactile informa- tion, such as vibration at each "step." Based on this starting point, we built a minimal viable prod- uct (MVP) for the timer. It consists of a single row inspired by the game "4 in a row." Falling discs indicate the passage of time. Filling the row with discs, and involving the student in this pro- cess, serves as a way to introduce the concept of time passing in a familiar and engaging way. Each disc is substantial enough to be felt when present: the discs protrude slightly above the top edge to allow easy detec- tion by touch. When a disc is absent, there is a noticeable "hole" that can be detected by touch, providing a clear indication. Similar to existing timers, our timer begins with all discs pres- ent. As time progresses, the discs fall sequentially, with each one representing a portion of the total time. For instance, if there are five discs, they each fall at intervals based on the total time di- vided by 5. When all the discs have fallen, there are five "holes" left.
Pencil case with corresponding buzzer.
Inside the pencil case, we integrated sensors that would re- spond as soon as the client picked up the case. As a result, a buzzer, connected to the pencil case sensor and built into a re- ceiver that the caregiver carries, would sound. This served as the signal for the caregiver to understand that the client had picked up their signaling device and wanted to establish contact. DISK TIMER: Time and time perception are subjects that often raise nu- merous questions. It's easy to understand that estimating the time of day is particularly challenging for individuals who are blind. We can usually make rough estimates, such as morning, evening, or night, based on various cues. However, for those with severe sensory impairments, and especially those with cog- nitive impairments, grasping the concept of time can be quite abstract. Gaining an understanding of the passage of time can be challenging to explain. Concepts like 'even,' 'later,' or 'in a minute or five' are clear to us, but for individuals with severe sensory impairments, they remain highly abstract and difficult to com- prehend. If there is also a cognitive impairment, this challenge becomes even more pronounced. Technology can offer a solution. A teacher of a 5-year-old deafblind student approached the FabLab with a question: Could they provide a tool that offers insight into the passage of time and the remaining time for activities? This request reflects a broader need for tactile information about the passage of time, particularly for those who can't use traditional visual time tim- ers. Our starting point was to design a tactile time timer suitable for a student with deafblindness. This timer could also be used to varying extents with vision and hearing, depending on indi- vidual needs. However, using a timer during an activity can be challeng- ing. Constantly breaking away from an activity to interact with a tactile timer can be distracting. To address this, we developed a physical timeline on which "something" happens during the
The MVP of the disk timer.
Every time a disc falls, there is a brief vibration, which can be felt through a vibrating pad placed within a stuffed animal (a seal). This seal can be positioned on the table or on the student's lap. When the last disc falls, a different (longer) vibration is felt, and a sound signal notifies the teacher. PROXACARE: Imagine a 3-year-old boy with deafblindness who is bed- ridden. Every caregiving moment, such as changing his diaper, startles the boy. His parents reached out to the FabLab for a solution to help him feel more at ease during these interactions. They wished for a way to make caregiving moments known to him in a gentle manner. The FabLab developed Proxacare, a system designed to assist deaf-blind individuals in perceiving the presence and approach of others. It involves a sensor, which is designed to look like a flower to fit nicely in a child's bedroom. This sensor is connected to a vibrating pad, placed, for example, in a pillow. When someone enters the child's room by opening the door, the sensor detects their presence and activates escalating vibra-
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