Colorado AgrAbility Project You want to do what? Jason Beck, Rehabilitation Technologist

Assistive Technology How do you match a client with AT? 1)Look for new ways to complete tasks Can you change how client must complete tasks? 2)Look for commercially available products designed to complete tasks R&D has been done, product will do what it says 3)Look for commercially available products that you can modify to complete tasks Always easier to modify than to design 4)Design and fabricate a unique device Most expensive, largest risk, sometimes only option

Unique solutions 1)PTO Jack 2)Automated Irrigation Gate 3)Portable Ladder/Staircase 4)ATV Throttle 5)3D VR model with students

PTO Jack Client was paraplegic Family member had to hook-up PTO shaft from tractor to baler Difficult for family members to support and couple shaft at same time Jack used to support weight of shaft so that helper only had to worry about coupling

PTO Jack Materials: –Scissor style car jack –Half of irrigation PVC pipe –Bungee cord to hold PTO shaft –Fasteners to bolt together Cost –$50

Automated Irrigation Gate Client was paraplegic Unable to control water level for irrigating by himself Family member (wife) had to manually insert 2”x4”s to dam up water

Automated Irrigation Gate Materials: –Steel channel frame –AC geared motor w/brake –Chain to turn jackshaft –Steel jackshaft –Sheet metal reinforced w/angle iron to dam water –Climbing webbing to attach sheet metal to jackshaft Cost –About $700

Portable Ladder/Staircase Client suffered from chronic back pain and arthritis Irrigated his land by siphon from concrete ditch Ditch at the bottom of very soft dirt slope

Portable Ladder/Staircase Materials: –Aluminum angle for structure –Raised expanded metal for stair treads –Steel pipe for handrail –Aluminum scrap for outriggers –Receiver hitch –Fasteners to bolt together Cost –About $200

ATV Throttle Client had severe crush injury to right forearm Could not operate thumb throttle on ATV Modified throttle to twist type and moved to left side

ATV Throttle Materials: –Help from Colorado Powersports –New throttle cable attached to carburetor –Twist throttle control attached to throttle cable –Moved to left side of ATV Cost –$175

3D VR Model with Students Transfer from tractor lifts into tractor cabs not always safe or efficient Work with students from the University of Colorado to model JD 4440 tractor cab Use 3D virtual reality to determine placement and types of devices to help transfer from lift into cab

Thank You Any Questions?