The TOM:Calgary Makeathon (new window) was a resounding success! There were many great projects designed to help create access. We hope to add many of these innovations to our library of solutions on our new Makers Making Change website, coming soon. Stay tuned!
We also had the chance to meet with Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Spinal Cord Injury Alberta and Tetra Assistive Devices Society of Calgary to build our Makers Making Change Network. At the LipSync Buildathon, we hit our goal of making 20 LipSyncs ready to go.
Above: From the Makeathon, “Team Homegrown Cyclone” worked to make an exercise bike accessible for a double knee amputee. Judging by their fake mustaches, they also had quite a bit of fun too. (Photo courtesy of TOM:Alberta).
Below: The makers from the second day of the TOM:Calgary LipSync Buildathon.
We liked that this event had teams meet with their need-knower/team captain many weeks before the event. That allowed more time for team building, design, and lead to more mature products.
Some of the highlights, amongst a group of really well-done, well thought-out projects, were a joystick device that allowed a person with cerebral palsy to control their TV with just their finger, and a remote glucose alarm that allows the parents of a son with diabetes to monitor his blood sugar remotely. To see some of the other projects, go to: http://kadimadynamics.com/media/projects/ (new window).
Above: Thanks to the organizers at TOM:Alberta for putting on such a great event.
Below: The kind staff at Foothills Medical Centre with their new LipSync devices.
We also had the pleasure of meeting the new Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Kent Hehr. (Photo courtesy of Kent Hehr).
Ivan from our team is still in Calgary setting up partners and people with the LipSyncs built.
For more pictures, go to: https://www.facebook.com/neilsquiresoc/posts/10155676652115859:0 (new window). (Even though it looks like just one photo, click the photo, and it will allow you to scroll through a photo album).
PS The Neil Squire Society is hiring a Communications Assistant. We’re looking for a creative individual who is passionate about social media, writing, and design. Apply at: https://www.neilsquire.ca/involved/job-opportunities/communications-assistant/ (new window).