Web Posted on: August 24, 1998
Technical volunteers work as a stage in developing market products
Daniel Barak
21 Hadar St.,
Herzelia IsraelH
tel: + 972 9 9507602, fax: + 972 9 9588985
Abstract
Technical volunteers develop solutions to solve daily life problems of old or disabled people. The problem-solving methodology is discussed. It will be shown why and how investors should look into the products of these volunteers as a resource of ideas for the "standard" market. By Eng. Daniel Barak head of Tand a (Technology &Accessibility) project at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Part A: The technical volunteer, his attitude, his training and his Ten Commandments.
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1. Feelings, emotions & attitudes
Three feelings usually characterize those who are being asked to solve a daily life problem of a person with a severe disability:
1.1. Fear and sorrow.
1.2. "Since the disability is so severe, only expensive high-tech can help."
1.3. Therefore: "Who am I to help?"
The first one is natural and human, and most people are expected to feel this way but #2 & #3 are wrong as even simple gadgets can, in many cases, help the person to overcome daily life problems brought about by the disability.
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2. The five steps in problem-solving
The following steps are the basis of a method, developed throughout the years, to train technical volunteers to solve daily life problems of disabled and aged persons.
2.1. Exposure to a problem. Usually it includes also some suggestions on how to solve it.
2.2. Investigation of all aspects of the problem, while completely ignoring the suggested solution. A correct and accurate definition of the problem is "more than half the way" towards a good solution. Gathering information from the family and from professionals is most important.
2.3. Breaking down the problem into sub-problems. It makes it easier to solve each one separately.
2.4. Brainstorming and seeking ideas as "crazy" and unconventional as possible before "going down to earth" and deciding about the right one.
2.5. Eventually, looking for the cheapest and simplest solution while checking and re-checking the definition of that sub-problem and of the problem as a whole. -
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3. THE VOLUNTEER'S TEN COMMANDMENTS
3.1. Before you start solving a problem - study it.
3.2. Break down each problem into sub-units.
3.3. Use, as much as possible, the person's ability to function and avoid unnecessary devices.
3.4. Whenever possible, use existing devices, but when absolutely necessary, don't hesitate to "re-invent the wheel."
3.5. Be extreme in the simplicity of the solution, but don't forget aesthetics.
3.6. Remember that the disabled person's opinion (and not yours) is the one that matters - he (not you) will have to live with the solution.
3.7. Don't be hurt if your suggestion is not accepted.
3.8. Always work with and not for the disabled.
3.9. The desire to help is not an alternative to medical knowledge. Be careful not to cause injury.
3.10. Recruit new volunteers. The Ten Commandments were intended for volunteers in Israel, but anyone who works in this field will agree that they apply not only to the volunteers and not only in Israel.
Part B: Developing market-products. The investor represents in this concept also the entrepreneur, producer, manufacturer etc.
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4. Developing a new market-product versus a solution by a volunteer
4.1. Similarities. In developing a new product several activities, on top of financing, can be distinguished: A market for a product is identified, research and development, building and testing a prototype, small series production, production line and marketing. A solution developed by a technical volunteer to solve a daily life problem of a disabled or elderly person follows a similar path except that it never proceeds beyond the "prototype" or the "Small series production" stages.
4.2. Differences. The volunteer fulfils his work the moment he finishes to build one or a very few number of the needed product. He needs only a few simple tools and materials while the investor needs a selling network, investment, production line, materials, advertising and marketing. The volunteer is looking for an individual solution for a single person while the investor looks for the largest common denominator of the potential market.
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5. "Integration" and "Super integration"
In solving a daily life problem one should always try to use "Integration" by exploiting existing market items and adapting them to the individual who needs a solution. It is very seldom that a "Super integration" is being used. Meaning, to take an item that was initially developed for a disabled person and to use it as a standard market item. -
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6. The wrong approach.
An investor, who is being introduced to a new item that was developed by a volunteer, usually reacts that it is not profitable to manufacture it as "the market is too small". He may be right the moment he restricts himself to look at such a product as one suitable only for the market of people with disabilities, but here he is wrong!
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7. The right approach
There is a big potential of ideas to be found among the "One-of's" and it is worth looking at them while having in mind the "standard" market. It is obvious that, as always, only a very few ideas out of many prove eventually to be good market items and the volunteer's developed items are no exception. But they have one advantage and that is that they have already passed a "field test" by a very tough customer - the disabled person.
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8. Examples of "Super integration"
8.1. A foot pedal to open a refrigerator's door was developed for a person who lost both hands many years before it became a market item.
8.2. Urine bags were used as a tool to research the rain in the desert.
8.3. Finger exerciser was converted into a "desktop toy".
8.4. A plaster casting substitute, using the same technique as in developing a repair kit for a blind man's cane.
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9. Examples of solutions
The following is a sample list of solutions of which no market potential is clear. It is up to the investors to check and discover whether it has any market value.
9.1. Crutches and carrying bags. Problem: It is very difficult for a person who walks with crutches to carry a bag. An attempt to use a two-wheel carrying-cart is also very hard, as it is almost impossible to steer the cart with the same hand that holds the crutch. Solution: The handle of the cart is tied with a piece of rope to the handle of the crutch with a suitable space between them.
9.2. A person with Alzheimer's disease. Problem: A person with Alzheimer's disease lives at home with his family. From time to time, without knowing, he gets up and wanders around. During the day, he is under supervision but not at night. The family is afraid that he might get up and harm himself or wander out of the house. Solution: The family would like to be alerted the moment he gets up from his bed. An anti-theft alarm system, with a fan-shape infrared light beam, parallel to the floor, was chosen.
9.3. It is not a smoking pipe. Problem: K.G. lost both hands and most of his hearing ability. For some time it was difficult for him to use the standard hearing aids he needed. Solution: The parts of a hearing aid were packaged into a specially adapted smoking pipe where the voice is transferred via "bone conducting" mechanism into the hearing system. - IV-
9.4. Hand sling. Problem: Mrs. M.C. uses only her left hand, as her right one is too weak. Solution: A sling that carries the weak hand was installed which enables her to work above the table.
9.5. A ruler for a blind person. Problem: Mr. M., who is blind, needs in his work to fill forms. When doing so, it is essential to write the details in the exact places on the form. Solution: A ruler with set of Tenth, Fifth and digits grooves was made. In order to write in a specific place, M. feels the grooves with his pen and goes "down the hierarchy" until he reaches the right place on the form to write in.
9.6. Writing a check by a bind person. Problem: The same as above. Solution: A plate with apertures covers the check and enables to fill it.
9.7. Tilting the back of a car seat. Problem: Mrs. S.M. is in a wheelchair. In transferring herself to her car seat she must tilts the back of the seat down and then up. Doing that is very tiring. Solution: A standard wrench handle was attached to the tilting knob. The back & forth movement is much easier than the rotating movement needed before.
9.8. Adapting chairs in a kindergarten. Problem: Sometimes the existing chairs are too high or the seats are too deep. Solution: Cutting the legs and a set of spacers enabled to adapt the chairs.
9.9. Forearm angle measurement. Problem: How to measure the rotation of the forearm at the base of the palm. Solution: A "system" made out of drawing tools of school children and costing about 2$ was made. It can measure to an accuracy of (10. (And there are many many more of these but not enough space in these pages).
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10. Summary
Though the attitudes, goals, aims and means of the technical volunteer and the investor are completely different they can be combined for the benefit of all. It is up to the investor to take up the challenge, as the volunteer doesn't have the mental attitude or the practical tools to do it. While digging into those ideas one should be very open-minded and look for the potential of each idea and not to be restricted only to the initial purpose for which it was developed in the first place. The simplicity of those solutions might be a disadvantage while trying to convert them into market products but for the disabled person it is a big advantage. This is another small dilemma that is "part of this game" that we have to "cope with".
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