Summary

This assistive line writing aid is designed to support students in their writing. It is particularly designed to support students with visual perception disorders. It helps to reduce cognitive load, allowing them to focus more on the content of their texts.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

UltiMaker

Printer:

Ultimaker 3

Rafts:

Yes

Supports:

Yes

Resolution:

0.1

Infill:

100

Filament: Formfutura PLA Black/Red

Notes:

A bright color is recommended for part 2 to enhance the contrast between the sheet and the guiding window. Both parts can be scaled up or down in Fusion 360 to change the size of the window.

Challenge

The Version of the Assistive Line Writing Aid incorporates features designed to support individual learning needs facing motor challenges. It helps to support the development of a consistent in-line handwriting.

Prototype

Innovating Assistive Technology in Special Education

Students with limited hand motor skills face various challenges in their everyday lives. This prototype aims to support students in their acquisition of hand writing skills to help them participate in writing activities.

Next Steps

As there has been no negative feedback on this objects, no further developments are planned.

Project

This innovative design was developed by students in the master's program specializing in special education with a focus on physical disabilities. It was created by Jacqueline Genten, Rebecca Weber, Dana Wendt and Jana Wübbels.
We greatly appreciate their hard work and willingness to share their results.

Citation Recommendation

Genten, J., Weber, R., Wendt, D., Wübbels, J. & Sponholz, J. (2021). Assistive Line Writing Aid. University of Cologne, Germany. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6725672/

Our Mission

Hi, I am Jakob. I am a research assistant at the University of Cologne in Germany. Back in 2018, my supervisor Professor Boenisch and I came up with the idea for a seminar focusing on designing 3D-printed assistive technology devices.

Seminar: Using ICT to Enhance Participation

The development of this design was part of the seminar: "Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Special Education with a Focus on Physical and Motor Development." Our students study special education with a focus on educating children and young people with physical disabilities in their master’s. At the start of each semester, our partner schools and institutions submit new challenges they face. Challenges could be scenarios like "A student in school xyz wishes to play the trumpet but can only use one arm. Can you make that possible?" or "In PE, wheelchair users with little mobility want to participate in catching activities involving hitting someone with an object, e g. dodgeball. How can we make that happen?"
Students select a challenge and work in small teams to design a custom solution by applying the Stanford Design Thinking approach. Throughout the project, we closely collaborate with the students in these schools, giving them the opportunity to participate in the development process and ensuring that efforts remain on track.

Aim

The designs developed during this seminar primarily aim to assist people with physical impairments and motor difficulties, but we also explore ideas that promote inclusive learning or address other life challenges. We'd love to hear how our designs have helped you or others.
Feel free to drop a message!