Plan
- Does anyone in your Section know about assistive devices? What are some examples you can think of?
- Does anyone already have experience with any sort of making, like 3D printing, soldering or building?
- Get in contact with your local Makers Making Change chapter and find out how you can get involved.
Do
- Makers Making Change helps to make assistive devices to make the world more accessible for everyone in it. These might help people to do everyday things like unbuckle their seatbelts, write, or apply nail polish. There are also assistive devices that make the digital world more accessible – Makers Making Change can even make adaptive video game controllers!
- They use the power of crowdsourcing to make these devices – that means that they rely on people in their communities just like you to help create!
- Get in contact with your local chapter and ask if there are any projects that you can help work on – if there are, they can help you to get the materials and knowledge you will need to help.
- This is a great way to learn a new skill and help people in your community all at once!
The Neil Squire Society, which oversees Makers Making Change, also has several resources for people with disabilities. Here are some of the ways you can help:
- Reach out to a Neil Squire representative to discuss programs, and answer questions. Please contact them for more information: 1 877 673 4636 or info@neilsquire.ca
- Working Together: Do You Have a Disability? Let them Help you get ‘Job Ready’ and ‘Land the Job’ you want with the support of their employment staff and Assistive Technology Specialists.
- Digital Jumpstart is a free online program that helps people with disabilities improve with a digital literacy program, so they have the confidence to take the next steps.
Review
- What surprised when learning about assistive devices? What do you know now that you did not know before?
- If you could invent a new assistive device for someone, what would it be?
- What was something challenging about this activity?
- How did it feel to know you were making something to help someone else?
- Remember to add your activity to the Take Action Map.
Keep it Simple
Is there a maker space in your community? A maker space is an area that is often open to the public and may contain a variety of different tools to make things, like 3D printers, laser cutters or scanners. Libraries colleges and universities are good places to start your search. Find one in your community and arrange a visit!
Take it Further
Does anyone in your Section know how to do 3D design? Can you come up with creative solutions to problems? Makers Making Change relies on everyday makers to help design the assistive devices that are requested by the community. If you know how to 3D design or are creative, or are an outside-the-box thinker, there might be a project there for you! Check out the current design challenges and see if you have a world-changing idea!
