Assistive Technological Devices

These are any kind of device that helps. In the case of the children with CP they could be chairs, standing frames, splints, crutches, wheelchairs or adapted cutlery for feeding.

Assistive equipment that is specially tailored to the needs of a child with cerebral palsy can help the child to sit or stand in a good way between physiotherapy sessions. For some children this is vital to develop skills and prevent secondary disabilities.

In many parts of Africa there are the following challenges:

• How can the travel to Hospital or workshops be managed when so often the distances are very far?
• How can specialised equipment be afforded?
• How can equipment be adapted to the needs of children with different types of cerebral palsy as well as their own individual measurements?

Hand in hand with the training for physiotherapists, CPA is trying to facilitate locally made equipment that can be adapted to the needs of each child.

It has been found that chairs and standing frames made from recycled cardboard are easily adapted and this can even be done in the child’s home. The techniques require some training but the basic materials are simple to find; paper, cardboard and flour to make the paste.

Bevill Packer, the author of A Manual for Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT), published by Intermediate Technology, and rehabilitation teams in Zimbabwe tried and tested the techniques in the eighties and now many people throughout the world make APT furniture.

The more people who know how to make useful items using APT, the better. They can be made far from any town or workshop. It may take time to collect the paper but sticks, buckets and other items can be used if there is not enough paper.

Therefore CPA trains local people (sometimes themselves disabled) in the manufacture of easily made items.

More can be learnt on courses in the UK

The next one is for 5 days in Hampshire and gives time to learn and practice some of the different techniques used particularly to make furniture.

9th to 13th July For details go to (http://www.peoplepotential.org.uk/page7.htm)

More information and pictures of APT items can be seen on www.apbt.org.uk