Design & physical computing
Adapting the Arts
Creating accessible drawing tools for students with limited upper-extremity mobility.
The need
Students with limited arm and hand mobility could need another person to move their hands to draw. The project explored low-cost ways to let students create artwork through controls suited to their movement abilities.
My contribution
I created the devices, workspaces, and drawing tools, wrote the report, and documented findings. The occupational therapist at the school handled implementation with students and their engagement with the devices.
Adapting the interaction
Three devices adapted radio-controlled cars into drawing tools. One transmitter used a modified joystick inspired by an electric wheelchair control. Other transmitters were modified with soldered connections to mono jacks, allowing specialized switches to control the cars.
Foam grips and Velcro held markers on the cars. Different switch configurations provided alternative ways to initiate movement and draw.
Why this work matters
This project connected accessibility with hands-on construction: the form of the control needed to suit the person using it. The original documentation includes demonstrations with micro-light switches and jelly-bean buttons.