Low-Tech, Low-Cost Do-It-Yourself Assistive Technology

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE CREATING DIY AT

The most important feature of DIY AT is not its cleverness, but its responsiveness. It allows for rapid trial and error, prototyp- ing, and feedback. Commercial solutions may sit unopened in a closet because they arrived six months too late, while a DIY solution made with foam tubing and Velcro can start supporting participation in real time. DIY AT also acknowledges that technology is not neutral. The world has too often been designed for a mythical “average user,” leaving disabled people to adapt after the fact. Low-tech AT flips this script: instead of forcing the end user to adjust, it bends the environment toward the needs of the person. WHY LOW-TECH MATTERS There are many benefits to incorporating low-tech AT into your classroom, therapy practice, or home environment: • Affordability : Low-tech tools reduce reliance on high-cost, specialized equipment. A therapy chair may cost $600, but a booster made from layered foam and shelf liner may accom- plish the same task for $20. • Ease of Use: Simpler tools mean fewer barriers for both us- ers and caregivers. Families already juggling complex care schedules may not have the bandwidth to charge, calibrate, or troubleshoot. • Custom Fit: Tools can be adapted to the user’s preferences, environment, and existing skills. One student’s switch cover might have glitter and bright colors, while another’s is sleek and soft reflecting sensory and tactile preferences. • Repairable and Replaceable: Most items can be fixed or rebuilt quickly and at low cost. A broken foam grip can be replaced in minutes, not months. • Promotes Autonomy: When thoughtfully designed, these supports preserve dignity and foster independence. Access is not a gift; it is a right. Low-tech AT recognizes that. Low-tech solutions offer an efficient, low-risk entry point for exploring assistive technology. They allow educators, clinicians, and families to meet end users where they are, test interventions quickly, and reduce the stigma often associated with high-tech or medicalized devices. Equity also plays a central role. Access to commercial AT is shaped by systemic inequities: which schools get budget alloca- tions, which families can afford adaptive equipment, and which insurance companies approve claims. Low-tech AT democra- tizes access by providing more accessible solutions not tied to privilege. A cardboard switch may not look like much, but if it empowers someone to turn on their toy independently, it is priceless.

SKILL AND TRAINING Consider the skills required for both the maker and the user. The maker must have the knowledge and training to safely fab- ricate the device, while the end user must have the ability to use it effectively. If it takes an engineering team, a decoder ring, and an Alohomora just to utilize, the device probably is not as us- er-friendly as anyone had intended or hoped for. COST, MATERIALS, AND TOOLS Ask yourself: are the materials and tools affordable, easy to source, and realistic for the setting? An AT solution that relies on pricey, hard-to-find parts sets everyone up for big feelings if it breaks or gets abandoned. Everyday materials often work best. Corrugated plastic, for example, holds up better than cardboard in settings where the tool might get mouthed or come into con- tact with liquids. PVC and Velcro are also tried and true favorites, usually beating out boutique components on cost, availability, and repairability. LABOR AND SPEED When you’re building a tool, time really matters. Some DIY AT projects may call for materials you don’t already have lying around and have to order, or even help from an outside fabri- cator. That’s when you have to balance durability, cost, and how quickly the solution is needed. If a device takes 40 hours to put together, it probably won’t solve an immediate problem. On the other hand, quick prototyping can give the end user what they need right away, even if it’s more of a “good for now” fix than a forever solution. Think of it as the duct tape of assistive tech: not perfect, but sometimes exactly what saves the day. SAFETY Safety needs to be considered from every angle. For the maker, ask whether the fabrication process involves risks such as hot glue burns, sharp blades, or the need for protective gear like safety goggles or a respirator. For the end user, think about potential hazards such as sharp edges, choking risks, or adhe- sives that might be toxic or release irritating fumes. The envi- ronment also plays a role. Could the device scratch equipment, leave sticky residue, or damage the end user’s personal prop- erty? Safety should never be an afterthought. A design that creates more problems than it solves is not clever at all, and no one wants their DIY AT remembered as the project that set off the smoke detector. And trust me, I have come close a few times when soldering. DURABILITY AND RELIABILITY A good DIY AT solution should be built to last longer than a single use. Ask yourself if the device can withstand repeated handling, or if it is likely to fall apart after one enthusiastic trial.

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