Event Title
Designing for Disability: Making Activities of Daily Living more Manageable through 3D Printing
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
10-5-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
13-5-2021 12:00 AM
Description
Introduction: While there have been many innovations developed for those with physical disabilities in recent years, a multitude of unmet needs still remain. With the advent of new and affordable technologies such as 3D printing, it is now more possible than ever before to bring one’s ideas to life; from creating customized prosthetics to wheelchair attachments for water bottles and umbrellas, we are able to quickly realize potentials otherwise unlikely - and in turn, we have the capacity to make the activities of daily living more manageable for those with physical disabilities.
Objectives: By personally hearing from individuals with physical disabilities about what challenges they face on a daily basis, it is possible to develop 3D printed items that can address their unmet needs. This work seeks to propose design(s) that can be conveniently created via an FDM 3D printer, in response to their expressed concerns.
Methods: In accordance with the principles of appreciative inquiry, first-hand discussions with those having physical disabilities have allowed for some insight into a few of the current struggles they endure. Their stories have inspired the following proposed design(s) which can be 3D printed, with the hope that these developments can help them navigate the world we live in just a little bit easier.
Results: Presented design(s) have been drafted in Autodesk Fusion 360 and initial prototypes are to be printed in ABS plastic with an Affinia FDM printer.
Conclusions: 3D printing is an affordable, convenient, and promising means of developing items that can assist those with physical disabilities as they navigate our often inaccessible-world. While many changes require advocacy and intervention at the level of public policy, some impactful means of assistance can instead be constructed in this manner.
Embargo Period
6-4-2021
Designing for Disability: Making Activities of Daily Living more Manageable through 3D Printing
Philadelphia, PA
Introduction: While there have been many innovations developed for those with physical disabilities in recent years, a multitude of unmet needs still remain. With the advent of new and affordable technologies such as 3D printing, it is now more possible than ever before to bring one’s ideas to life; from creating customized prosthetics to wheelchair attachments for water bottles and umbrellas, we are able to quickly realize potentials otherwise unlikely - and in turn, we have the capacity to make the activities of daily living more manageable for those with physical disabilities.
Objectives: By personally hearing from individuals with physical disabilities about what challenges they face on a daily basis, it is possible to develop 3D printed items that can address their unmet needs. This work seeks to propose design(s) that can be conveniently created via an FDM 3D printer, in response to their expressed concerns.
Methods: In accordance with the principles of appreciative inquiry, first-hand discussions with those having physical disabilities have allowed for some insight into a few of the current struggles they endure. Their stories have inspired the following proposed design(s) which can be 3D printed, with the hope that these developments can help them navigate the world we live in just a little bit easier.
Results: Presented design(s) have been drafted in Autodesk Fusion 360 and initial prototypes are to be printed in ABS plastic with an Affinia FDM printer.
Conclusions: 3D printing is an affordable, convenient, and promising means of developing items that can assist those with physical disabilities as they navigate our often inaccessible-world. While many changes require advocacy and intervention at the level of public policy, some impactful means of assistance can instead be constructed in this manner.