I will be taking a short blogging break but will be back Sunday the 26th with a new ADA Focus.
Xbox One and Kinect 2 Possibilities
Over the past year I’ve featured a few stories about how researchers, developers, and designers are utilizing the abilities of Kinect to help people with disabilities. Some have used the motion capture technology to allow people to control devices and play games with mere eye movement and facial expressions. Others have concepts of interpreting sign language. This week Microsoft announced and showed off the next generation Xbox One and a second generation Kinect. The improved power and innovation of these devices opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
Posted in Hearing Impairments, Mobility, New Tech, Visual Impairments
Tagged Blind, Deaf, disabilities, elderly, handicapped, Hard of Hearing, inclusive design, kinect, kinect 2, universal design, Visually Impaired, xbox one
Roll-Under Sinks by Trueform Concrete
Image: Trueform Concrete
Even though the material is thousands of years old, in the past few years concrete has learned new tricks. Today it can be found being used as countertops and is flexible in its look. Colored dyes and stamped forms can make concrete look like tile, brick, and other materials. What was a very utilitarian material has turned chic. An example of this is in the making of bathroom sinks. A couple of nice looking examples of roll-under sinks are these by Trueform Concrete.
Orlando Brown House Wheelchair Ramp
Image: Hawkins Construction
When it comes to restoring and modifying historic sites, there is a lot to take into consideration. Improvements need to be done while also keeping the architectural integrity of the building. Making the historic site wheelchair accessible can prove an even bigger challenge. Adding an accessible entrance to the outside without taking away from the site’s character can be difficult. But when done right, a place of history can be made accessible for all while maintaining its historic look. In Frankfort, Kentucky this has been done with the addition of a wheelchair ramp at the Orlando Brown House.
ADA Focus: Play Areas (Scoping Requirements)
Bad Design Style: Case #63
Alright we got a couple of problems here with this ramp. But really it’s not the ramp itself that’s the problem, it’s where it is and what’s around it. Sure there could be some improvements to the ramp but the slope looks alright, there’s a landing, and the concrete work looks good. However using it to get inside the gas station could prove challenging.
Wheelchair Basketball Concept for Class 1-2 Players
Image: Shane Gross
For years now wheelchair basketball has been around as a sport that has grown in popularity. In fact years ago I remember watching an episode if Saved By The Bell that featured a wheelchair basketball game and a wheelchair using girl who dated Zack Morris. But I’m getting a little off subject here. Like any other sport, new and improved equipment can make the game better, safer, and more enjoyable. Designer Shane Gross of Detroit has proposed a wheelchair concept to improve the performance of Class 1-2 wheelchair basketball players.
3D Printed ‘Bionic’ Ear
Photo by Frank Wojciechowski
Within the next few years the 3D printing revolution will be upon us. Soon business and private citizens will have 3D printers where they can print and make whatever their imagination can think of. Hopefully mostly for good and not malicious intentions. Although I’m pretty sure TLC will eventually have a show called Hoarders: 3D Printing Edition. But anyway the 3D printing era is upon us and some amazing things are being done with the technology. Things that were previously impossible to make are now being done. One thing that is being currently experimented on is a 3D printed ‘bionic’ ear by Princeton University.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 3d printing, bionic ear, Deaf, disabilities, handicapped, Hard of Hearing, inclusive design, new technology, princeton, universal design
