Design students who create products for disabled people are hoping to attract the attention of manufacturers at an exhibition in London this week.
Among the ideas are user-friendly central heating timers and phones, and storage for those with limited reach.There is also a toilet seat designed for children with cerebral palsy.
The students hope the Independent Living Exhibition will be an opportunity to turn ideas for more usable everyday devices into reality.The London Metropolitan University is one of many showcasing its students' talent.
A conducted research among people aged over 65 showed that items which were the most difficult to use were video recorders, vacuum cleaners, central heating timers and telephones,so the decision is to concentrate on timers and phones because both are vital to a person's well-being.
In order to overcome the problems, Warren Goodland, an occupational therapist has designed a photo frame holder into which pictures of the person whose number is required can be inserted.The user simply has to tap the photo or the holder in order to dial the correct number.
His central heating timer emerged after people told him that they relied on family members to adjust them, and sometimes never altered them at all.
His design uses LEDs (light emitting diodes) - which have better colour contrast - and shows the various on and off times on separate displays."The buttons that control a particular setting are located next to what they control so there's no need for mental translation between the two," he said.
In addition, Mr Goodland's timer gives audio feedback to confirm which operation has been selected.
A fellow student, Yasuhiro Inoue, has used his own experience as a wheelchair user to design drawer-type storage for the bedroom.His design has the "drawers" or containers revolving on a chain mechanism.
The user rotates the drawers until the one containing the required items is at the most convenient height.Unlike conventional chests of drawers, Mr Inoue's design can go from floor to ceiling because all of the contents can be made available at any height the user desires.
Another student, Clare Goodman, has developed postural seating for disabled children so that they can be supported after spinal or hip surgery.
Despite the encouragement of her employer, her tutors and hospitals, Ms Goodman worries that a much-needed product like hers may never be mass produced.
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