Introduction: Child's Wheelchair Tray
A student with Cerebral Palsy really wanted to carry her lunch tray like her friends. When you need to use a posterior walker to walk, this is difficult. But, with a light weight board, some broom clamps and PVC pipe it became a possibility!
Step 1: Tools and Materials
We used a light weight rectangular board with a semi-circular cut out at the child's waist, four broom clamps, (two to clamp to the walker and two to clamp to the PVC pipe supports) .three pieces of PVC pipe with two elbow pieces. The clamps were attached with two philips head screws each. The board was covered with contact paper for easy wipe up.
Step 2: Assembly
We first cut the board to be the same width as the walker and as deep as the lunch tray. We then measured and cut the PVC pipe to be slightly shorter than the tray with two support pieces measured and angled to keep the tray level. We then added the broom clamps to hold the PVC pipe and clamp to the arms of the walker. Since the board was thin we needed to add some small blocks of wood to hold the screws for the broom clamps.
Step 3: End Product
We used molding plastic to wrap around the leg of the walker on the lower end of the supporting pieces of PVC. It worked great. Lightweight yet stable! She was very happy.
8 Comments
12 years ago on Step 3
I am interested in making one for my student. How did you attach the PVC pipe to the vertical portion of the walker?
Reply 12 years ago on Step 3
I used some splinting material that OT had to mold a horseshoe type bracket that snugly fit the vertical piece. It helped that there was a seam in the vertical piece that kept it from sliding down.
13 years ago on Introduction
I am a bit confused at your title, but that could just be because I take wheelchair as the type you sit in not a modified rollator. Does her rollator have a seat? (The one I used to use does).
If the rubber doesn't work you could cover this instead with a terrycloth cover and add velcro to the bottoms of the items she is going to carry. I would also add some search terms, just to make this awesome build more findable. I suggest rollator, wheelchair (since it is in the title), rolling walker, walker with wheels, lunch tray, tray table, and so on.
I must say finding this made my day, I am glad she has teachers that are willing and able to help her have not just basic needs but also interaction as a normal child. This will shape her future in brilliant ways.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I understand your confusion! I used an old home made wheelchair tray and had that term stuck in my head. It is a posterior walker that is in the picture. Mainly she uses it to carry her lunch tray and the rubber shelving stuff works perfect. Thanks for your suggestions!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Ahh thank you for clarifying. Still this is ingenious, walker trays aren't very kid friendly as a rule and only work for anterior walkers. I am truly beyond happy when I think of what you have done for her in the realm of inclusion. Hopefully she gives you further challenges!
13 years ago on Introduction
Yay! Your first instructable! Did you submit it to the better life contest?
13 years ago on Introduction
Very nice project! Those broom clamps are awfully useful, aren't they? Does the tray need any sort of edge-catchers to carry things while walking?
Did the young lady participate with you in the project design or assembly? All the best AT projects are one where the end user takes the lead in designing, prototyping, and finalizing. After all, they're the ones who have to use it every day!
In order for this to be reproducible by someone else, it would help to have a bit more detail. Dimensions for the lengths of PVC (and also what size and rating of PVC did you use?). Dimensions and material for the board (plywood? Masonite?). If you have any more pictures for the Assembly step, that would be great, too.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! They use the rubber shelf liner stuff to hold items on the tray. The young lady is going to decorate her tray to her liking. She has some intellectual disabilities that limited her involvement. She did have the final say though!
The length and size of the PVC would depend on the size of the walker being adapted. I used 1/2 in. PVC as that was the size of the walker tubing. The dimensions for the board would also relate to the size of the walker. The wood I used was 1/4 in plywood.