Introduction: DIY Communicationbook Holder

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Rosa had her first stroke in 2010, causing her right body part be paralysed. Last year, she had a second stroke and had to stay in a hospital. This time she has severe motor aphasia, which means she understands what people say but she can't express herself anymore. Also, Rosa was born blind with one eye. Rosa uses a tripod to walk short distances.

These events have changed the life of Rosa fundamentally. Her family and nurse asked us to make a communication device which makes communicating with Rosa easier. We had to take account of the discretion of the product.

Our solution is two-part. First there is a placemat (the communication book) with anti-slip material where her plate can be put. This way, she can eat easily with one hand, without pushing her plate of the table. The front is a pointing board with pictures that allows Rosa to communicate basic needs. On the other side of the communication board, there is a week scheme. This scheme shows the days of the week with the activities Rosa has during the day.

Second, there is a holder provided that can be fixed on Rosa's tripod. There she can put her communicationbook. This way, she can always take her communication device with her.

For this assignment it was important to know who Rosa is, what her living environment is and who are the most important people in her life. It's a tailor-made product.

With our product we hope the communication between Rosa and her family or nurses runs in a smoother way.

This product comes with a Communication book

Step 1: Gather Your Materials and Tools

materials holder placemat

  1. metal strip
  2. wood (ca. 4x4x25 cm)
  3. pvc pipe lid (same size as the pipe)
  4. 2 long tie wraps
  5. tights in the color you prefer
  6. pvc pipe (diameter 10 cm)

materials holder photo-album (optional)

  1. aluminium profile
  2. bolt
  3. nut

tools

  1. drill
  2. saw
  3. file
  4. hot melt
  5. scissors

Step 2: Pipe

Saw the pipe with the desired length, we use 30 cm.

Step 3: Wood

Saw the wood block with the desired dimensions. (4x4x25 cm)

Drill holes diameter 5 mm, 3 cm from each end of the wood.

Make a triangle profile in the wood. Draw the triangle on the wood, then saw it. You can finish it with a file, if necessary.

Step 4: Glue It Together

Clamp the tube

place the wood with the flat end on the tube

glue it with hot melt (glue gun)

Step 5: Photobook Holder

make a holder for the photo album. The size of the album 1,5 cm x 13 cm x 16,5 cm

saw the profile according to the size of the album

drill a hole in a small piece aluminium

weld the three parts (base and two sides)

weld the small piece on the base

don't fix the holder on the wooden block yet.

Step 6: Cut the Tights

cut the tights a little bit longer than the pipe (40 cm)

Step 7: Metal Strip

Roll the metal strip

Step 8: Overview Parts

Step 9: Finishing Touch

Fix the pipe and wooden block on the tripod with tie wraps.

cover it with the tights.

fix the photo album holder with a bolt. Cut a small hole in the thights so the bolt can pass. Use a ring to ensure the tights don't unravel.

Put the metal strip in the pipe, so the the tights are covered nicely (Missing on this picture)