It is difficult to keep up where every single thing is made nowadays but the items that I am going to showcase on this page can be picked up at any local hardware store and they do have true American history to them, which I may detail later. This page is to present the tools I use on an everyday basis to best adapt my surroundings to me. As you will see, they are not your average medical store / pharmacy equipment pickup items but rather things that are more readily available and quite honestly appear much “cooler” than something that comes in “hospital blue”. So, let’s get started.
The first and foremost item that I consider essential is your versatile and cheap aluminum flat. Example). They come in various widths and lengths (if you find the right associate, they will cut it for you if you buy the entire piece), they’re light, durable and can be used for a plethora of accessibility needs. Among these are:
Mobile device and/or document support (Especially when paired with Velcro)
A Reacher
A Scratcher
A Switch-flipper (That’s the technical term)
A pry / mover
A button-pusher (See above switch-flipper but think examples such as elevators and vehicle radios)
A quick level for your lap (Refer to image below)
If you have any questions regarding the proper adaptation of these things for you, please comment or email me. I would love to know what else you come up with after you try these so please let me know.
Another one of my go-to favorites is plexiglass. The most obvious use of this that you might be thinking of is a table and you would be correct. I find this material to be extremely useful because it is lightweight, which helps with independent ease of mobility, and it is fairly durable.
The image below is a style of table that I use. It is two pieces of plexiglass, or acrylic, where the biggest piece sits on my feet but the surface portion is supported on my lap. Both pieces are about a quarter of an inch in thickness. The weight distribution is solely on my lap but any type of tilt is prevented by the height of the biggest piece of acrylic. The two pieces of acrylic are connected by Velcro that acts as a hinge. This helps with shaping it to the proper angle for your lap as well as easy folding and storing away when not in use.
You will notice that my links to Velcro are to the type that is industrial strength. I highly recommend this simply for the best results. There will be more about my love for Velcro on some upcoming YouTube videos.
Another key feature of this style is that around the house, it is simple enough to use just the top piece of acrylic on your lap instead of the full table. This makes it easier to use independently because it becomes even lighter and the single piece can be used as a sliding board for objects from your lap to a surface.
If there is any interest in a table of this nature, I will gladly consult with you in person if you are local or, via email if you are not, to get the proper measurements for your needs.
Bryan Ridarick
Click image to go back to homepage