There's so many different types of physical disability that
manufacturers of helpful gadgets just can't keep up. Now, in what is
being called a `revolution', disabled people are being invited to learn
how to create their own personalised tools to make day to day life a lot
easier.
It happens courtesy of 3D design and printing,
which sounds very high tech but is surprisingly user friendly, as
experts in the field are determined to show. People imagine and sketch
something that could help and then...voila!...it gets printed in plastic ready to use.
The Fab Lab, or `mobile digital fabrication lab', has been offering free two day courses around Salford, and the final one happens at Start in Salford on 14th and 15th January.
To join in there's no prior experience or computer skills needed. As the Fab Lab states, "All you need is an open mind".
3D tuition is offered in a friendly, supportive environment, carers are
welcome and travel expenses, if necessary, will be sorted.
The BBC has done an excellent short film showing it all in practice – click here
Fab Lab Workshop
Thursday 14th and Friday 15th January 2016
10am-4pm free
Start in Salford
Brunswick House, 62 Broad Street M6 5BZ
To sign up and for more information click here
To
speak to someone further about the course call Ursula Hurley at the
University of Salford on 0161 295 2851 or Philip Connolly at Disability
Rights UK on 0207 250 8192
Light refreshments
will be provided but people are asked to bring their own lunch. After
the sessions finish at 4pm there will be time on both days to discuss
ideas with the facilitators.
The project is
organised by Disability Rights UK, and the Universities of Salford and
Dundee. It is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
