Goals:
• Reverse learned helpless
• Provide a means of independence
• Provide some privacy
• Provide the ability to have “unapproved” items
• Access to needed school supplies/computer

Focus:
The focus is currently on children with Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. The tray items, form and function have been modified to target this population.

This project is done in partnership with Karen Roston and OT from Steinhert School.

I came to ITP for the assistive tech. class. When I first visited Karen's students I realized that they did not have access to any of their materials or even a sip of water because it is all hanging behind them on an electric wheel chair. To be able to give them a device that is "cool" and functional, that will provide some independence and privacy

Karen and I both agree that all kids should have the opportunity to misbehave, and play. In addition, they need a sense of control and privacy. There are many trays being offered out on the market, however, they a designed as therapeutic tools or an adults prespective of what a student needs. They are sterile and plain. They don't address the child's lifestyle.

From the student's prespective, they want something like a docking station and of course "cool".

Our goal it to provide the students with a tray that they want to use and enjoy.

The course of designing, we focused on a student with Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy since it was the most challenging design problem. Since the student has very limited movement the goal is to provide the student with the main needs and wants.

This particular laptray is targeted at students with MS. They have almost no macro-movements in their arms. To move the arms, they mainly push and pull from the shoulder.

They do possess the micro-movement to control joysticks, touchpads, and buttons.

Presentation:
On a table top. With joy stick and laptop in place. Basically just need a stand with the flat top the present the lapPAC

The ideal scenario:

Student lightly presses hand against top cover and slide up into a triangle a bookholder. The holder is inset in a slight groove. This allows the student to read.
The students slide hand behind bookholder put it back down.

Student press lighty down on inset lid and latch disengages and lid lifts.
Student as access to computer. This is still being worked out. Most recommendations revolve around servo motors or some other powered device. We need to keep the solution mechanical. It is not realistic to expect repairs on motorized components plus the wear and tear of sliding the tray on and off.

The current solution is experimenting with pneumatic hinges, balance springs and pneumatic to control the lift and close.

In an gully on the left a voice activated recorder sits. It has a loop attached. The student can put finger in loop to pull recorder toward them and use it.

The recorder is physically attached to the laptop by a USB cable than enable the download of recorder items. The cable is on a spring pulley so that cord winds up with students puts the recorder back

Teh water bottle is to the left as well. it is on frictionless track that and also has a loop so the student can pull the bottle close to themselves. The bottle has a long straw so the student can get water. Not only does this hydrate the student but sucking and blowing a therapy exercises that help the student exercise chest muscles.

It is made of color acrylic. A light blue for the main frame. a dark blue for laptop section. pale blue vinyl for gully, waterbottle.

plexiglass color dowels for structure. This allows for customizing opens near the studen to access computer and ventilation.

black stopping on the edge toward the body and laptop edge for comfort, and protection. A single ridge of black door stoppng to prevent items from rolling off top. metal pipes for support

How luck we are to have strength and control over our body. How some people are brave just by getting through each day. That people don't need to be fixed, just assisted. We all need assistance.