From a covered spoon to a one-handed snooker cue, a jug pourer and a modified bicycle, Technical Aid to the Disabled ACT (TADACT) designs and builds equipment to help people in their daily lives.
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The not-for-profit organisation has about 50 volunteers who use their imagination and skills to make or modify specialised equipment for people of all ages in the ACT and south-east NSW.
The volunteers include engineers, architects, trades people and enthusiastic amateurs. Some are employed, but the majority are retired.
Most of the products they create are developed after a call from a health professional seeking help for a client. TADACT designs a product to meet the need and a volunteer is given the task of producing it. The cost of the final product includes all material used but no labour component.
Designs are shared with Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD) branches in each state.
Executive director of TADACT Graham Waite brandishes a one-handed snooker cue as an example of devices produced by TADACT and distributed around Australia.
Instead of propelling the cue, the user arms a spring-loaded mechanism to the required tension, then fires.
Mr Waite is not sure if the cue conforms strictly to the rules of snooker. More importantly, it allows people who have the use of only one arm to enjoy the game.
Last year TADACT produced a tablet dispenser for a man with quadriplegia. When the user blows into a tube, pre-loaded tablets are released from a hopper.
A similar device has been developed to supply jellybeans for people with quadriplegia and diabetes.
Then there is a screen attached to the handlebars of a wheelchair so a woman could continue her photography. Work on a later version of this product is underway.
Specialised components for bicycles modified for use by disabled children are produced in the TAD in Sydney. The bicycles are assembled in Canberra and modified to suit particular needs of individuals.
A covered spoon has been developed for people with unsteady hands. Mr Waite said that despite its cover, the spoon was easily cleaned in a dishwasher.
And for those who do not have sufficient strength to lift a heavy jug, a tilting platform supports the jug to pour liquid safely.
''There are people out there with disabilities who just don't know there is something that can help them,'' Mr Waite said.
He is particularly concerned the organisation's work is not well known in south-east NSW.
''We service less than 1 per cent of the population,'' he said.
But government statistics indicated about 16 per cent of the population could be helped. This included people who were ageing and though not disabled as generally understood had lost some ability.
About half of the money required to run the operation comes from the ACT government. The rest is from public donations.
Last year, TADACT won the social inclusion category of the National Disability Awards.
The award recognised its development of equipment for people from young children to aged people. The awards are announced each year on December 3 - International Day of People with Disability.
Nominations of individuals and organisations who contribute positively to the lives of people with disability are now being sought for this year's awards. Nominations close on July 20.
Minister for Disability Reform Jenny Macklin said there were many people who contributed so much of their time and energy supporting people with disabilities.
For more details about the awards and to nominate, idpwd.com.au.
