>How very intelligent of you to use this forum to educate us about >design
>problems and solutions, and to educate yourself about the range of
>considerations. I hope you will urge other designers and architects >to do
>so. And if you can make a commercial success of it as well, >nothing could
>be better for all concerned.
 
Barbara (Michalak):
 
Thanks for the compliment and encouragement.  Oh, I have spoken to other
designers and architects about this, more than not I just get "sounds
interesting".  I think it has something to do with the fact that it isn't
"billable time".  It is crucial for a designer to produce anything of any
value to become an exceptional listener.  And probably more importantly to
put him or herself in the position to listen to as broad and diverse a group
as possible.  One of the most inspiring stories I ever heard had to do with
Aalvar Aalto again.  He was presenting the design of one of churces in
Finland - a sort of "Town Meeting".  Everyone was taking advantage of the
opportunity to say "enlightened" things.  There was a lively debate, but for
the most part Aalto explained why he designed the church the way he did.
Nothing anyone said made him give much thought to redoing any aspect of the
design.   Finally a frail little 'ol lady stood up and said timidly, with a
certain disappointment; "You can't see the steeple from the town?"  Aalto
stopped for a second with raised eyebrows, turned to his wife who was seated;
leaned down and whispered; "We'll have to change that".  I find that students
are receptive to the idea of doing what I am doing.  I will try to encourage
more to do as you suggested.
 
on 2-11-94   Allan C. Rough said:
 >They
>also have foam tubing to build up the diameter of cutlery to make >things
>easier to grasp.  The catalog is simply filled with useful aids and >devices
>including large handle tableware and cooking utensils, plates, etc.  .There
>is a large selection of exercise equipment, and therapy aids too.
 
That is really my point.  We have to try to get better products developed.  I
personally have reviewed every "adaptivie utensil" made, and a very large
cross-section of traditional flatware.  The foam and built up handles are
degrading and not very functional.  The catalog does have some good
information though.  Two of the largest "Catalog Companies" are FRED SAMMON
(Bissell Healthcare) and NORTHCOAST MEDICAL.  You can call SAMMONS at
1-800-323-5547.  NORTHCOAST'S number is 1-800-821-9319.
What really disgusts me about these catalogs ( and one of the reasons I
started this work), is that many of the products can be found outside of this
"Aids to Daily Living" market - and they cost a great deal less!  Sounds to
me like they are taking advantage.  Let me correct that; it doesn't sound
like it - it's a fact.  I suggest to everyone to do a little searching before
purchasing anything from any of these catalogs.  You might just save yourself
some money.  They still have a lot of good things though.  It is the
"mainstream" products that shown in these catalogs that interest me the most.
 A fork, a chair, a plate, a door handle, etc., etc.  They shouldn't be
"juryrigged" solutions.  They need to be studied.  I think the catalog
companies should spend some of their profits on R & D.  Any company making
over a hundred million dollars a year can afford to spend a little on
"developing something new".  I've looked at the financials of most of these
companies, and I must say that the Swedes are doing far more in terms of R &
D.  The catalog companies here in the U.S. are just clearing houses.  Some
are starting to produce under their own label.  I met the person who was
making all of those "utensils" for Maddak (one of the biggest).  He finally
went into business for himself and is now making them for a lot of the other
companies under their label.   Good business move, but I think the emphasis
is just a little too much on the business.   I suggest everyone call a local
design school and ask them if they are having students work in this area.  It
would be sooooo easy to design a good car door handle which would require no
fine motor skills and very little gross motor skills.   Any car company could
do it.  You can get a "Car door opener" from any of these catalogs, but
wouldn't it make more sense for EVERYONE if the car manufacturers made a
simple door handle?