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This is a revised version of my crib modification Instructable. It includes more details on how to do some of the more complex steps, a complete list of tool/equipment requirements, and some additional changes I've had to make since publishing the original. I hope people find the extra information useful.
Parents with disabilities face numerous challenges when caring for a newborn. Besides the usual lack of sleep and anxiety about such a small and dependent life, much of the equipment for infants and children present substantial barriers for parents with disabilities. Changing tables are built for standing, bathtubs can take two (or more!) hands, and cribs require parents to have substantial flexibility and lifting strength.
Cribs are manufactured according to strict standards designed for the safety of the child, not for universal access; the railings are all 2 or 3 feet off the floor, and a foot or more above the mattress. Because infants are left unattended in cribs overnight, they need to be built in such a way that the child cannot accidentally fall out of the crib or get any part of their body (especially the head and neck) trapped between components. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has publicly accessible explanations, as well as formal guidance for manufacturers.
This Instructable describes modifying a wooden crib to allow a parent of short stature to access the crib without lifting. The railing opens from side to side, and the mattress is positioned just above the floor.
An article about this project will appear in MAKE 17, available on newsstands 10 March 2009.
Parents with disabilities face numerous challenges when caring for a newborn. Besides the usual lack of sleep and anxiety about such a small and dependent life, much of the equipment for infants and children present substantial barriers for parents with disabilities. Changing tables are built for standing, bathtubs can take two (or more!) hands, and cribs require parents to have substantial flexibility and lifting strength.
Cribs are manufactured according to strict standards designed for the safety of the child, not for universal access; the railings are all 2 or 3 feet off the floor, and a foot or more above the mattress. Because infants are left unattended in cribs overnight, they need to be built in such a way that the child cannot accidentally fall out of the crib or get any part of their body (especially the head and neck) trapped between components. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has publicly accessible explanations, as well as formal guidance for manufacturers.
This Instructable describes modifying a wooden crib to allow a parent of short stature to access the crib without lifting. The railing opens from side to side, and the mattress is positioned just above the floor.
An article about this project will appear in MAKE 17, available on newsstands 10 March 2009.
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Signing UpStep 1Materials and Tools Required
Most of the parts needed are available from McMaster-Carr Industrial Supply Co. with the part numbers listed. The "common hardware" is available in appropriately small quantities at any local hardware store. The total cost should be under $200, including the crib.
The project could be completed entirely with hand tools. The use of a drill press with vise, especially for modifying the angle bracket, is highly recommended for accuracy and for safety. You'll need:
McMaster-Carr Item PriceDrawer glides 26" full-extension 2712A9 $ 21.50/pairAl tube 1/4" ID, 1/2" OD x 1/2" L 92510A765 1.54Angle bracket 11/16" x 1" 1556A26 0.49Quick-release T-handle pin (2") 92490A651 5.62 Common Hardware Quantity3/4" square moulding 53 in#8x1-1/2" wood screws 9 ea1/4" external retaining clip 1 eaHigh-density foam block 25" x 3-1/2" x 2"
The project could be completed entirely with hand tools. The use of a drill press with vise, especially for modifying the angle bracket, is highly recommended for accuracy and for safety. You'll need:
- Sabre saw or jigsaw (a hand crosscut saw would work, but you'll get cleaner cuts this way)
- Variable speed electric drill
- Drill press (pictured) with vise (optional but recommended)
- Drill index with wood bits: 3/32", 1/4", 3/16", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2"
- High-speed steel 1/4" bit or step-drill bit (pictured)
- 1/8" round file or deburring tool (pictured)
- Drill stops
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Rotary tool (Dremel) with abrasive cutting disk
- Masking or painter's (blue) tape
- 220-grit sandpaper
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Actually as a wheelchair user, that answers one of the problems I face: getting the baby out of the crib. But I still face the "grabbing up from the floor" trouble. I've seen some projects aroung (at TLG amongst others) where the crib is basically hich enough so that a wheelchair user can wheel his legs underneeth the mattress and therefore only have to "slide" the baby onto his lap.
What do you think of this option ? I understood that you were already concerned by the height of the crib because of falls' risks when mattress at a couple of inches from the floor.
Thanks for your answer.
mX
We were concerned about the crib height because my wife is a little person. Removing the legs to put the mattress at floor level was necessary for her access, and the safety was just an added bonus.
For the "picking up off the floor" issue, has TLG shown you any of their infant harnesses? Picture a non-inflatable life vest, with a nylon "carrying handle" on the back. The design is similar to the European airline seatbelt vests. There a shop in Berkeley that is willing to make them, but they cost bout $150 for materials and labor.
...and if one more person even implies that I have no business reproducing I cannot be held responsible for my actions... Yes, I've had people tell me that to my face as well as worse comments. Being young and only partially disabled means that I tend to get rather rude comments about how it's my fault or that I'm just not trying hard enough...grrr...
Sorry about the rant. This 'ible will definitely help me a lot as most of the suggestions and devices for accessibility that I can find seem to be geared towards people in wheelchairs and don't quite work for those who are partially mobile.
Have you ever contacted your local Center for Independent Living? The better ones often have an AT specialist who is tied into the local community for custom resources or equipment.
The description of how you changed the crib is very clear, and of course, cute baby!
We are very familiar with TLG :-) See the list of resources in Step 24. But you've reminded me, I should have included them in the resource list on the Assistive Technology group.
Judy Rogers at TLG worked with us before and after our daughter arrived, and we even participated with her in making a training video for other parents with disabilities.
With more experience as a parent, I think it's important with this modified crib that the legs are cut off. For parents who are wheelchair users, they must think about the safety issue themselves. For us, having the crib door open means that our daughter could (and did!) want to climb out by herself. Without legs, the crib mattress is only 15 cm above the floor, so falling was not an issue. With many cribs, that height is nearly a meter, and injury is quite possible. Please think about that when you build it.
You must have been taking an industrial design course (or major?). That seems to be a common project.
What I dislike about those projects is that the students (and usually the instructor) don't seem to understand that assistive technology can only be developed with the full participation of the end user(s). Inventing something "for" someone else to use, without their input, is the old "medical model" of treating people with disabilities as objects, or at least as less than full participants in their lives.
Sorry, this is one of my soapboxes :-/
Nice instructions and a good idea.
By the way, if you're interested in doing assistive technology I'bles (either making existing ones, or contributing your own), check out the AT Group.
The CPSC regulations require that a crib rail always be at least 9" above the mattress, when lowered (open). By doing the side-open door, I'm explicitly violating that regulation. The fact that the mattress is just 6" off the floor isn't relevant to the regs, but it is to my feeling of safety.
By the way, we're still using the crib, and my daughter is now 16 months old and loves being able to get in and out by herself :-)