Fold-A-Board Communication Device

Abstract

Aphasia is an impairment of language resulting from stroke that can affect a person’s ability to use and comprehend words. People who have aphasia often keep a writing device handy to write down information that they have trouble communicating verbally. Device options include expensive keyboard devices or more commonly small inexpensive notebooks. Neither of these options fits the needs of someone with communication problems and the use of only one hand. Our goal was to design a device that would allow persons with aphasia and use of one hand to be able to communicate more easily with others on a daily basis. The information gathered from the interviews and observations gave us direction in our design process. We determined that the device should be accessible with one hand, be small in size, have an erasable surface, and have a professional appearance. Our final design is the Fold-A-Board communication device. The Fold-A-Board communication device meets all the requirements for an easy-to-use writing device.

Keywords:

• activities of daily living
• design
• consumer participation
• stroke