• Resource Guide Home
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• Motor Impairments
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• Vision Impairments
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• Communication Difficulties
  • Getting Around
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  • Using a Computer
  • Working in the Lab or Field
  • Case Example
• Cognitive Impairment
  • Getting Around
  • Communicating
  • Using a Computer
• Resources: Technical Assistance
• Research Findings

Module 3: Accommodations for Motor Impairments

Teacher's Workstation with Tablet PC

Situation:

This client is a middle school teacher. Prior to injury, her routine was to stand for long periods, writing on the whiteboard. She would also stand and use an overhead projector.

After an auto accident, nerve damage to her right upper extremity has made this task painful. (She is right-handed.) Even to use the overhead projector is difficult, because her right hand now fatigues easily because of nerve injury. Added to this, she is unable to stand for long periods, due to related injuries and swelling in her left lower extremity.

Accommodation:

The school system tried to accommodate by allowing frequent breaks. But that was not proving to be an adequate solution.

The client herself had observed (at another school) an electronic whiteboard—a large, wall-mounted, touch-sensitive, display. But even this would not have eliminated the need to frequently lift her right arm and write on the display during classroom presentations. And it would have cost several times the cost of the solution we chose.

The solution was more commonplace: a convertible tablet PC and a projector. Using these, she projects lessons which she prepares the night before class. During class presentation, she writes on the tablet display whenever wanting to add or emphasize something. A stool-height ergonomic chair allows her to sit and still observe the students. An Anthro table supports the tablet PC and projector. The table includes an outboard shelf, to which we added elastic straps, to secure the projector from bumps by the students.

Cost Analysis:

Computer (Gateway M280G convertible tablet PC): $1,800
Projector (Dell 1200 MP projector): $1,000
Table (36” AnthroCart, with outboard shelf, and 7” extension tubes): $400
Chair (Dauphin SL1350-680P, with foot-ring, arms, and glides): $450 (Retail is much higher.)
Elastic straps: $10

Workstation with tablet PC and projector.

Acknowledgements:

Mike Edwards - mike.edwards@ncmail.net
NC Vocational Rehabilitation Services

This case study is from the Work RERC's collection of accommodation examples, which documents case studies presented at the RESNA annual conferences.