In today’s interconnected world, access to technology and the internet plays a crucial role in enabling individuals to thrive, both personally and professionally. Unfortunately, people with disabilities continue to encounter substantial obstacles using technology. Many people with physical disabilities have difficulty using traditional input devices like computer mice — there are limited options for alternative input devices and those that do exist are often cost prohibitive.

Neil Squire has received funding from the Government of Canada’s Accessible Technology Program (new window) to develop and release at least four cost-effective, customizable joystick-based alternative input devices through its Makers Making Change (new window) program. These will build upon our previous work with the LipSync (new window) and OpenAT Joysticks.

These devices are intended for people who have limited gross motor control and/or limited hand dexterity such as those with spinal cord injury (SCI), cerebral palsy (CP), muscular dystrophy (MD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), severe arthritis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), damaged extremities, or affected by stroke.

All these devices will be publicly released using our Open Assistive Technology (OpenAT) model. Releasing the designs with an open-source license ensures that they are freely available to build, use, and improve upon, and leveraging the volunteer maker community to build the devices helps keeps them affordable.

While many people have similar disabilities, it can manifest in unique ways for various individuals — the shape of someone’s hand, the angle of the arm and wrist, the movement range of arms and fingers, all varies from person to person. Easily customizable components will ensure that the user gets a proper fit.

Our Research and Development team are currently working on creating functional prototypes of a number of designs. We have already hosted one build event with Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, and devices from this build will be used for testing. We will begin more widespread user testing and feedback over the summer as we look to finalize and publish the designs. This fall, we will be hosting build events and engaging volunteers across Canada to build the joysticks and deliver them to Canadians with disabilities.

Device Prototypes

Large Joystick – ‘Oak’

This joystick is intended to for people with strong gross motor control but limited hand dexterity. This joystick design will feature different toppers such as balls, and goal posts. The joystick will also have a variety of mounting options.

Mini Joystick – ‘Cedar’

This joystick is intended for people with limited gross motor control but strong hand dexterity. The Cedar joystick will also have a variety of mounting options and different toppers.

Wearable Joystick – ‘Ivy’

This joystick is intended for people with limited gross motor control and limited hand dexterity. The Ivy joystick will feature a thumbstick and several integrated buttons. Mounting options for this joystick will include options for a universal cuff as well as straps.

Wheelchair Bluetooth Adapter

This device enables a user of a power wheelchair to use their joystick and Bluetooth-compatible interface as a joystick input to gaming devices. It converts the mouse movements transmitted by the Bluetooth interface into USB gamepad for use with the Xbox Adaptive Controller and Xbox or third-party adapters for Nintendo and PlayStation consoles.

We need your help!

As the project progresses, we’ll be looking for various involvement from the community, including people with disabilities, caregivers, disability professionals, and makers. This involvement may include providing input and feedback on the design, performing user testing, participating in build events, and distributing/receiving the built devices.

Fill out our survey (new window) to express your interest.

This post originally appeared on the Makers Making Change (new window) website.