Engineering news
Remap, a charity that designs and builds equipment to meet disabled people’s needs, launched the Makeability website yesterday in London to help others facing similar issues find potential engineering solutions.
The site allows volunteers and members of the public to share details of their projects, including photographs and descriptions. Some posts also include blueprint-like sketches, such as ideas for an automated dog treat dispenser for a woman who uses a wheelchair and has stiff hands when she walks her dog.
“A lot of what we do at Remap is very bespoke, very unusual solutions, which are designed for an individual person to deal with a challenge that they’ve got, and we wouldn’t expect it to come around again,” said Remap CEO David Martin at the launch event.
“But there are also lots of things our volunteers do where they are similar sorts of enquiries – so ‘How do I open the window from my wheelchair?’ or ‘I need a stick with a gadget on the end to help me open the window,’ or ‘Can you help me attach my walking stick, fishing rod, rifle etc to my wheelchair or mobility scooter?’
“When the same projects come around, similar things, you think people don’t want to reinvent this, they want to see how another Remap volunteer solved it, and can nick that idea and replicate it quickly.”
Although many of the posted projects are complete, the site is also designed to encourage feedback and suggestions through comments and forums. People who want to replicate or adapt projects can contact project creators to request details.
The website is also sharing the charity’s work around the world, aiming to inspire others to provide creative solutions to issues faced every day by disabled people.
“If there is someone who can’t engage with one of our groups at the moment, because they are physically prevented from doing that, or maybe they have ideas but not so much of the practical skills, they don’t have the tools in their workshop but want to be involved, or they’re in another country… then hopefully this will open the door to them making a contribution,” said Martin.
The new portal is searchable by many different categories, including skills involved in building, the issue addressed and activity helped, said network development manager Sophie Morrison. The site is organised to help people make very specific searches.
The website is online at www.makeability.org.uk.
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