Objectives | Activities | Contents | Handouts
Consumers will be aware of universal design principles.
Consumers will be able to identify products that have universal design features and select products to make everyday tasks easier.
Professionals who work with people with disabilities will be able to select products that will benefit their clients.
Activity #1
Divide the participants into small groups and give each group a universal design item
and its traditional counterpart. Let them discuss the features of each item and decide
which would be more convenient to use.
Activity #2
Demonstrate all of the items or selected items from the kit, comparing traditional
design to universal design. Pass items around the room to encourage individuals to try out
the products to see the difference for themselves.
Activity #3
If setting and space permits you can divide the gadgets according to areas of use
(outdoor, office, etc.) and create stations around the room where the traditional design
items and universal design items can be tried out and compared.
Outdoor - garden trowels (15a,15b), rain gauges (16a 16b), hose connectors (17a, 17b)
Home office - staple removers (10a, 10b), scissors (11a, 11b), phones (12a, 12b), pens (13a, 13b), calculators(14a, 14b)
Living area - remote controls (3a, 3b), night lights (4a, 4b), clocks (5a, 5b)
Bathroom - toilet tissue holders(1a, 1b), dispenser/bottles (2a, 2b)
Kitchen - measuring spoons and cups (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b), vegetable peelers (8a, 8b), dustpans (9a, 9b)
Universal Design Kit Contents
Gadget Source Information
| Number | Item/Description | Source | Price |
| 1a | Toilet tissue holder Roll slides into place using one hand |
Discount stores | $4.00 |
| 1b | Toilet tissue roller | ||
| 2a | Three-chamber dispenser Liquids are dispensed with push of a button; ideal for shower or sink |
Walmart | $16.00 |
| 2b | Shampoo bottle | ||
| 3a | Universal TV remote Large buttons are easy to distinguish by sight or touch |
Independent Living Aids | $11.00 |
| 3b | TV remote control | ||
| 4a | Touch control night light | The Lighthouse | 2/$15.00 |
| 4b | Night light | ||
| 5a | Bold number wall clock | Discount stores | $4.00 |
| 5b | Wall clock | ||
| 6a 7a |
Good Grips measuring cups Good Grips measuring spoons Large plastic handles are easy to grip; large, high contrast markings are easier to see |
Kitchen and True Value hardware stores | $5.00 $3.00 |
| 6b 7b |
Measuring cups Measuring spoons |
||
| 8a | Good Grips vegetable peeler Soft cushion grip with built up handle fits hand better |
Kitchen and True Value hardware stores | $7.00 |
| 8b | Vegetable peeler | ||
| 9a | Long handle dustpan Long handle; no need to bend to use |
Discount stores/Adaptability | $14.00 |
| 9b | Dustpan | ||
| 10a | Easy grip staple remover Staple can be removed with one easy motion |
Discount or office supply stores | $2.00 |
| 10b | Staple remover | ||
| 11a | Fiskars soft grip scissors Spring reduces operation to one motion; large handles have cushion grips |
Discount or sewing stores | $12.00 |
| 11b | Scissors | ||
| 12a | Large button adjustable volume phone Handle fits hand; large easy-to-read numbers and large buttons |
Discount stores | $15.00 |
| 12b | Slimline phone | ||
| 13a | Comfort grip pen, Dr. Grip Easy grip pen makes writing more comfortable |
Discount stores | $5.00 |
| 13b | Pen | ||
| 14a | Large button calculator Large buttons are easier to read and operate |
Discount stores | $4.00 |
| 14b | Calculator | ||
| 15a | Good Grips garden trowel Built up handle coated with non-slip material provides comfortable grip |
Discount and hardware stores | $9.00 |
| 15b | Garden trowel | ||
| 16a | E-Z Read rain gauge |
Wal-mart, hardware stores | $8.00 |
| 16b | Rain gauge | ||
| 17a | Hose connector, Hosewrench Comfort grip handle makes attaching hose easier |
Creative Designs | $10.00 |
| 17b | Hose connector | ||
| 18a | Snake Rake * Adjustable height bent handle with cushion grips provides better body fit; reduces strain |
True Value, Target, hardware stores | $16.00 |
| 18b | Rake * | ||
| 19a | Long handle duster * Adjustable handle gets at hard to reach areas |
Discount Stores/ Independent Living Aids | $10.00 |
| 19b | Duster * | ||
| * Rakes and dusters are optional items and must be picked up in person with kit from the AgrAbility office. | |||
Better Tools for Everyday Tasks (HTML) (PDF)
Gadget Source Information (HTML) (PDF)
To reserve kits or for more information contact...
Iowa AgrAbility
1094 LeBaron Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50014
515-294-8522
agrability@exnet.iastate.edu
Iowa State
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