Here is my curated list of DIY (do it yourself) assistive technology resources and maker communities.
Assistive technology resources
- WATAP: the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program; helps with assistive technology decision making.
- AT3 Center: explore assistive technology and find your state’s Assistive Technology Act program.
- EASTIN: the European Assistive Technology Information Network; a federated database of assistive products.
- ATconnect: ATscale’s global gateway to assistive technology resources, programs, and guidelines.
- RESNA: the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America; assistive technology information and its Assistive Technology journal.
Assistive technology makers in Seattle
- HuskyADAPT: University of Washington Seattle campus student organization that supports accessible design and inclusive play technology.
- WOOF3D: University of Washington Seattle campus student 3D printing club.
- UW CREATE: the University of Washington’s Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences; home to HuskyADAPT and other assistive technology programs.
- A11yhood.org Access Technology Repository: a collaborative tool being developed for assistive technology makers.
- WATAP Free AT 3D Printing Program: a catalog of free 3D-printed assistive devices that any Washington State resident can request.
Assistive technology makers and repositories in North America
- Makers Making Change: an assistive technology makers resource and project repository.
- MakeGood.design: an assistive technology makers resource and service provider.
- GOAT (Grassroots Open Assistive Tech): documents, curates, preserves, and freely shares assistive technology designs and information under open licenses, and provides coordination and education to affiliated communities.
- Tetra Society of North America: builds innovative solutions for people with physical disabilities.
Assistive technology makers around the world
- TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers: a global assistive technology maker resource and project repository.
- PrintLab / Make:able: an assistive technology design challenge competition.
- Remap: the UK’s only charity providing custom-made equipment, free of charge, for disabled people.
Open-source documentation standards
- Open AT Template Guide (PDF): Makers Making Change’s template for documenting open assistive technology.
- Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA): standards and certification for open hardware.
- Open Know-How Manifest (OKH): a standard for sharing hardware documentation.
Submitting ideas to makers
- WATAP’s Design Challenge Intake Form: one form that combines the questions from local, North American, and global assistive technology makers’ intake forms, so a single submission can reach a large group of makers.
Design tools
- BumpMesh: a tool for applying tactile, fidget-friendly textures to 3D-printable models; useful for sensory and fidget designs.
Getting started guides
- Onshape CAD Quick Start Guide: my five-step beginner path from a free CAD (computer-aided design) account to your first parametric, printable part.
- Tactile Map Making Quick Reference Guide (draft), also as a PDF: research-based dimensions and methods for making tactile maps. This is a working draft; feedback is welcome.
Assistive technology and 3D printing information pages
- Shannon Paige, MA, CCC-SLP: TTAP and 3D Printing: the Texas Technology Access Program’s 3D printing resource board, with vetted files and guidance for making 3D printing decisions.
- Michael Cantino (mcantino.com): an educator and braille transcriber creating accessible 3D-printed tactile graphics, maps, and braille tools; see also his Printables profile (MCprints).