Teresa has a mild form of Cerebral Palsy which affects movement in her arms and hands. Teresa was having difficulty removing her gas cap on her new vehicle. She was referred to the Makers program by her twin sister who works in the assistive technology field.
Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP)’s Demonstration Center has a similar, manufactured gas cap opener for individuals to test, but it required modifications to fit the gas cap handle on Teresa’s vehicle. With the collaboration of Teresa, her sister, and the Makers team, they were able to get the correct measurements of the handle and the space around it, to make the necessary changes to the gas cap opener. The handle was also slightly extended to provide easier access for Teresa and built up for a more secure grip.
The Makers program can not only design and fabricate new assistive technology device but can also investigate modifying already existing designs to fit the customized needs of the individual.
