Home Accessibility Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Beyond

Instructions and Supply List for Disability/Age Simulation Activity

The simulation exercise is an empathic activity created to promote disability awareness. Adaptive equipment is incorporated in this activity to help participants better understand ways in which the environment and various technologies can contribute to independence and safety in the home and community. Each Kentucky Extension Region has simulation kits available for checkout. Kits contain a variety of materials including, vision impairment goggles, mobility aides and assistive technology. (See attached for complete listing and photos). Each kit accommodates 10-20 participants. All perishable and disposable supplies will need to be purchased: large marshmallows, ear plugs, cotton, Popsicle sticks, liquid bandages, popcorn kernels and latex gloves. These items are indicated by an “*” on the attached supply list. It is recommended that you become familiar with the equipment in the kit and read through the participant activity worksheets before you begin. Two participant activity worksheets accompany the simulation kits:

• “Disability/Age Simulation Activity Worksheet” • “Speech/Hearing Impairment Worksheet”

Give each participant a copy of both worksheets. It is recommended that you read through the instructions with the participants. As you read, participants will be instructed to apply the disability simulation paraphernalia. You can continue to instruct participants through each activity, choose select activities, break the activities down in correspondence with the PowerPoint slides or allow participants to complete each activity individually or in pairs. Again, the idea behind the simulation is to provide an empathic understanding of the challenges that go hand in hand with daily activities and to provide insight into how accessible design and assistive technology can contribute to independence and safety. Simulation kits are available for checkout at the following locations:

1. Western Region: UK Research and Education Center at Princeton (270) 365-7541; 1205 Hopkinsville Street, Princeton, KY 42445

2. Central: School of Human Environmental Sciences/Department of Family Sciences

(859) 257-1763; 315 Funkhouser Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 4506-0050

3. Eastern: Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability

(606) 666-2438; 176 Robinson Road, Jackson, KY 41339 Suggested collaborators for mobility and adaptive equipment and possible site locations:

• Physical Therapists

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• Occupational Therapists • Speech Therapists • Long-Term Care facilities (senior center, senior living apartment, personal care, nursing

homes) • Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers

Age/Disability Kit Inventory

Each disability/age simulation kit contains all of the following materials EXCEPT those indicated with an “*”. These items are disposable and need to be purchased. Please use what you feel will be necessary to best demonstrate the need for home accessibility and assistive technology. These materials coincide with the disability/age simulation activity worksheets that can be distributed to participants during the program. You may lead all or selected pieces from the activity. If you are looking for collaborators for this activity, local physical or occupational therapists are recommended. See below for complete kit inventory and photos of equipment.

Vision Impairment: Equipment for Simulation: 20 vision impairment goggles: 4 age related macular degeneration (AMD) 4 cataract 4 diabetic retinopathy 4 glaucoma 4 yellow lenses

Additional materials provided for activity: Telephone book Access to public spaces, such as a bathroom, elevator, receptionist area

Finger dexterity/joint immobility/touch: Equipment for Touch Impairment Simulation: 1 bottle of liquid bandage* (Coat finger tips of each participant with a liquid bandage to

simulate loss of senses in fingertips.)

Equipment for Finger Dexterity/Joint Immobilization Impairment: Popsicle sticks* Latex gloves* (Place ice pop sticks in multiple or all fingers of the gloves—sticks should

rest on top of knuckles to prevent participants from being able to bend their fingers)

Additional materials provided for activity: 1 pill box 1 reading magnifying glass (looks like a ruler so it can slide along page) 1 box plastic low-vision playing cards 3 pill bottles 1 sewing kit 1 box loose change and business cards 1 telephone book

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Mobility: Equipment for Simulation: 10 mobility aides: 3 wheel chairs 1 seated walker 2 wheeled walkers 2 non-wheeled walkers 1 quad cane 1 standard cane

Additional equipment suggested for activity: Popcorn kernels* (Place kernel inside shoes/socks to simulate a corn or callus. Use

tape to help keep “corns” in place.) Tape*

Hearing/Speech Impairment (Optional Activity): Equipment for Simulation: Wax or ear plugs* Bag of large marshmallows*

Additional material provided for activity: Speech-Hearing Impairment Worksheet* (Print one copy for each participant.)

Smell/Taste (Optional Activity): Equipment for Simulation: Cotton rolls or balls (to place in nostrils to block scent)*

Additional materials provided for activity: 1 blindfold 1 bottle A: coffee 1 bottle B: peanut butter 1 bottle C: vanilla 1 bottle D: vinegar

Assistive Technology: The following adaptive equipment will allow participants to test various assistive technologies while simulating a disability so that they can experience how the environment and various tools can be designed to increase safety and independence. Kitchen: Plate with food bumper

Ideal for people who have difficulty getting food onto utensils. Reduces likelihood of food being pushed off plate.

Scooper bowl with suction base The removable suction base holds dish in place on a flat surface. The scoop

edge gradually rises from front to back allowing for food to be easily scooped into a utensil.

Large rubber handled fork

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Large rubber handled spoon The large, soft, non-slip handle provides more hand control for those who have

difficulty bending the wrist, grasping or other eating motions. The large handle provides a comfortable, secure grip. The twist in the shaft allows the utensil to be bent at any angle to accommodate limited wrist motion and right/left handedness. The innovative lip of the spoon is specially designed to prevent spills while moving the spoon from the plate to the mouth. Liquids and food stay on the spoon where they should be. Note: foam tubing can also be used as a utensil holder, increasing the size

of a handle Utensil holder (fabric)

Designed to assist people with quadriplegia or other upper extremity disabilities in grasping eating utensils and other items.

Rocker knife Ideal for a person with limited use of their hands, such as stroke patients, those

with arthritis or cerebral palsy or those who have one hand. The knife is made so that the pressure is applied from directly above the object to be cut, so less strength and dexterity are needed by the user. When using the rocker knife, meat and other foods, including hard vegetables, should not sift or move around the cutting board. To cut food, you simply rock the knife back and forth over the object to be cut.

Grip-in mug This 16 ounce mug is specifically designed for individuals with grasping, fine

motor, cognitive or upper extremity disabilities. It has an ergonomically curved internal handle that enables the hand to fit through the mug, eliminating the need for grasping. When you fill the grip-in mug with a warm beverage, you'll feel the gentle warmth on your hand, which can help ease joint pain.

Hygiene Long handle bath sponge

Helps clean your back, toes or any other hard-to-reach area Long handle comb

The comb is curved to follow the shape of the head so that the handle can be held close to the body, without loss of power or reach

Dressing Button-zipper hook/aid

A device designed to assist people with buttoning their garments one-handed. Allows you to button and/or zip your shirt/blouse if you have limited dexterity in your fingers or hands. Slide the wire form through the shirt button eyelet, and then slip the wire over the button and pull back through the eyelet. For the zipper, simply hook through your zipper and pull. It takes PRACTICE to get the hang of this aid.

Long handle dressing aid Available in different lengths. The idea is to lift (out of a closet or off the floor),

push or pull on shirts, sweaters, coats, pants, skirts and other objects or pull such items out of the closet or off the floor. The hook is made of soft silicone making it easy on your clothes and gentle on your body so as to not cause scratches or

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cuts. The hook can also be used to push off socks and shoes. Ideal for those with limited upper arm and shoulder movement.

Long handle shoe horn Helps you slip shoes on/off without bending over. Ideal for those with limited

upper arm and shoulder movement. Sock aid

A sock aid is a great help for those with disabilities or people recovering from surgeries, such as a total hip replacement, where bending is not permitted for some time. Sock aids allow you to put your socks on without bending.

Instructions: 1. Take a sock and stretch it over the sock aid to open the sock. It should easily fit as you maneuver it over the sock aid. Once you have the sock on the sock aid as far as it can go, you should be able to look inside the open sock. 2. Hold onto the handles of the sock aid and drop the part with the sock onto the floor. Position your foot with your toes straight over the open sock and push it into the sock as you hold onto the handles. Push gently and your foot should slide partially into the sock. Pull up on the sock aid with the straps and the sock should slide onto your foot. 3. Pull the sock on as far as it can go, wriggling your toes and slightly turning your foot side to side to help the sock go on as far as possible. The sock should be able to slide up pretty far. When you have it on as far as it will go, you can pull the sock aid until it comes out of the sock. 4. Repeat this step with your other sock. It may take a couple of times using your sock aid before you get a feel for it and become adept at getting on your socks. You will learn which kind of socks go on easier than others.

Note: sock aids are helpful for pulling up compression stockings and other tight socks.

Belt This belt is made to function using one hand. Instructions:

1. SNAP the end of the belt around the front left belt loop, keeping the hook and loop tape facing out.

2. SLIDE the rest of the belt through the belt loops. 3. SECURE hook and loop tape ends together for closure.

Miscellaneous 1 reacher (24 inch) 1 reacher (31inch)

Reachers vary in length and the amount of weight that they can pick up. Some reachers are designed with magnetic tips or suction cups to pick up loose change or a paper cup without crushing it. Others will pick up items that weight up to 2 pounds. Overall, reachers are designed for people who need assistance reaching objects without significant bending or stretching.

Key holder Provides several grasping positions and excellent leverage for turning keys.

Fingers can be inserted through the handle or wrapped around the outside. Contains slots for one or two keys that can be adjusted to the desired angle. When not in use, keys can be folded back. Accommodates left and right hand use.

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Pen Designed to alleviate the pain of writing associated with osteoarthritis and other

hand afflictions. Comfortably positions thumb to reduce stress placed on the wrist. Can be used with most standard pens and pencils.

Scissor Lightweight scissors for people with decreased hand strength. Use your whole

hand to gently close. Spring handle automatically opens. Right or left handed. Mobility Aides:

Vision Impairments:

Standard Weight Manual Wheel Chair

Universal Deluxe Folding Walker

Universal Deluxe Folding Walker with 5 inch wheels

Padded Comfort 6 inch Wheel Aluminum Rollator

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Cataract

Diabetic Retinopathy

Glaucoma

Yellowing of the lens

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Kitchen:

Hygiene/Dressing:

Plate with Food Bumper

Scooper Bowl with Suction base

Utensil Holder (fabric)

Rocker Knife

Large Rubber Handled Spoon/Fork

Grip-in Mug

Reacher

Long Handle Shoe Horn

Long Handle Bath Sponge

Sock Aid

Long Handle Dressing Stick/Aid

Long Handle Comb

Button-Zipper Hook/Aid

Accessible Belt

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Miscellaneous: The following Photos are used with permission from: LifeSolutions (www.lifesolutionsplus.com)

• Button/Zip hook: #NC28616 • Elastic shoe laces: #PNC28738 • Dressing Stick: #PNC28575 • Sock Assist: #NC32500 • Shoe Horn: #PNC65631

The remaining photos are used with permission from The Wright Stuff (www.thewright-stuff.com) Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Reacher

Key Holder

Pen

Scissors