Charles County schools are adding picture-and-word communication boards to playgrounds after a four-school pilot. Portable versions and staff training help students use this form of AAC beyond the classroom.
Read the original (opens in new tab)RNID explains how theatres can use Auracast broadcasts to improve access to live sound. Its guidance covers compatible hearing devices and loan receivers, with practical considerations for venues planning an installation.
Read the original (opens in new tab)MIT researchers tested an experimental bionic knee combining muscle signals with a bone-anchored implant. Two participants used the combined system; the reported gains come from a small study, not a widely available treatment.
Read the original (opens in new tab)Apple’s 2025 accessibility announcement introduced Braille Access and labels describing accessibility features in App Store listings. The plans covered braille reading and note-taking, alongside clearer information for choosing apps.
Read the original (opens in new tab)The LipSync 4.1 update added adjustable scrolling, clearer calibration feedback and simpler mouthpiece assembly. These changes support both users of the mouth-operated computer controller and the makers who build it.
Read the original (opens in new tab)Local makers printed a keyguard to help one child select buttons on her TouchChat communication device. The family’s experience shows how a small, customized part can make an existing tool easier to use.
Read the original (opens in new tab)Microsoft launched a wired joystick for players with limited mobility, with remappable buttons and options for mounting or alternative grips. It works with Xbox consoles, Windows PCs and the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Read the original (opens in new tab)At a Burnaby holiday hackathon, volunteers adapted 243 toys and built 163 switches. The event shows how shared tools and local making can open up play for children who use accessible controls.
Read the original (opens in new tab)An Inspiring Open-Source Hardware Project In the latest edition of Make Magazine (Vol. 88), Joshua Pearce provides an excellent summary of a project he and his colleagues (Anita So and Jacob Reeves) developed at the University of Western Ontario. They set out to develop a low-cost mobility walker using standard wooden dowels and 3D printed […]
Read moreSpecific Solutions to Specific Problems Our friend Jim asked us if we could help him repair his small reading lamp. The lamp itself was fine, but the plastic clipping mechanism at the base of the lamp had cracked. After asking to see where and how Jim was using the lamp, we realized that just repairing […]
Read moreReprinted from the Boston Globe In our experience, many mechanical wheelchair problems can be fixed using basic tools and elbow grease. But most wheelchair-users don’t have access to timely repair services, and commercial wheelchair manufacturers have little incentive to address the issue. It’s a national problem that significantly impacts people with disabilities in assisted living […]
Read moreIt’s been an incredible year! With thanks to our friend Gary whose great aunt made this light-up Christmas tree. The original lights needed to be replaced and re-mounted (using our trusty hot glue gun). It’s a beautiful piece of art, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to make it light up again! Coincidentally, this year’s […]
Read moreOne of the biggest challenges we have as a Repair Club is helping folks identify the high-frequency, low-friction (HFLF) problems they face. These are often problems that don’t seem to merit help, precisely because they’re manageable. But HFLF problems can significantly lower someone’s day to day resilience and happiness. In this case, after several visits […]
Read moreThe problem is that without the right tools, you end up using a flat head screwdriver and a hammer. This can lead to serious problems like deforming your casters, which can either permanently ruin them or deform them so much that they roll funny, defeating the point of maintaining your wheelchair. Replacing wheelchair bearings (or […]
Read more“The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.” –United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disability If Dr. Therese Willkomm is our direct inspiration for […]
Read more“People who experience disabilities are tired of waiting weeks, months, and years for simple solutions that could be created today in minutes. Do it now! Do it today! Today!” Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes (Book II), by Therese Willkomm. Dr. Willkomm is the Director of the New Hampshire Statewide Assistive Technology Program with the Institute […]
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