Creators sought to adapt toys
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/05/2023 (902 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A Westman organization that encourages creativity and provides the design studio and workshop to do so needs help adapting toys for children with disabilities.
The Creation Nation maker space was set up four years ago to provide a place where artists, craftspeople, innovators and makers could create projects using supplied tools and equipment like 3D printers, a laser cutter and a full woodworking shop.
The 6,000-square-foot space is located in the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC) at 440 Rosser Ave., according to Russ Mitchell, who started as a member and is now the Creation Nation co-ordinator.
Russ Mitchell, co-ordinator of Creation Nation, a space for those who make and create, holds up a toy that will be adapted to make it easier for a child with a disability to play with. (Michele McDougall/The Brandon Sun)
Membership is $50 a month, with a discounted price for students at $25, to have access to the space and equipment 24 hours a day.
But it’s the latest partnership with the organization Makers Making Change that Mitchell said he is particularly excited about because it uses assistive technology to empower anyone who may have a disability.
“We can adapt toys for those who have physical disabilities,” Mitchell said. “Think about how some buttons on toys are small and hard to reach. There are kids who can’t press those, so we can adapt the toy to be used with a switch, making it much easier for them to operate and play with the toy. And for those who may be in a wheelchair, we make the on and off switches long enough and easy to reach.”
Assistive, or adapted technology, is a way of modifying toys for children or gadgets for adults with physical limitations, including seniors, to help them function within their capabilities.
Mitchell pointed to examples they’ve created using the 3D printer, including crafted handles to carry plastic shopping bags, a gadget to open a pop can, holders for spoons and even a gadget to open medication blister packs so the pill doesn’t fall on the floor.
“Makers Making Change is for anybody who needs something like that, and they only have to pay for the cost of materials,” Mitchell said as he held up a handle for carrying bags. “So, this is a dollar.”
“Or, if somebody needs to change the round door handles in their house because they can’t grip them — replacing all the handles would be very expensive. But for the price of doing one door handle in your home, you could do a 3D print for every one of them,” said Mitchell.
The idea of promoting Makers Making Change and bringing awareness about the benefits evolved during the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair held in Brandon at the end of March.
Mitchell had an information table set up and, to catch people’s attention as they walked by, started to create switches on various toys. As the week progressed, he had to add more tables because more kids passing by were “getting in on the act.”
He was also able to connect with families who have since received bubble blowers for their kids with limited abilities, as well as Brandon’s Seniors for Seniors and the Royal Canadian Legion to spread the word about providing items to make their members’ lives easier.
One of the 3D printers in Creation Nation, a space in Brandon with a design studio and workshop for those who create and make art, crafts, and woodworking projects. (Michele McDougall/The Brandon Sun)
“I’ve always felt helping people is where I’m the best, and working with designers, and with people who can print 3D, and those who know electronics, is great. We’re here to be part of the community and to give back,” Mitchell said.
Tonight is the first official Makers Making Change event at the Creation Nation makerspace beginning at 6:30 p.m., with sessions to follow once a month. All kinds of creators — beginner or otherwise — are welcome. There is no charge, and all materials and supplies will be included.
Mitchell laughed as he drew attention to his hoodie with a picture of a Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur that has small hands, but has been given a grabber to extend its reach.
“While at the Winter Fair, the kids thought it was fantastic and funny, and it fit so well because the dinosaur has short arms, so it needs assistive technology. And now that he has assistive technology, he’s unstoppable.”
For more information on Makers Making Change event, visit bit.ly/3pX4bSN
» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @enviromichele