Fold-A-Board Communication Device
By Sokolowski, Joanna; Maher, Aedan; Jaycox, Katie; Siegler, Kevin; Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, Volume 8, Number 4, pages 367-371Publication Date: 2011
Paper outlines the development of a device that allows persons with aphasia and hemiplegia resulting from stroke to use writing in their daily communications with others. To inform the design of the device, interviews were conducted with a stroke survivor with aphasia and hemiplegia and a speech-language pathologist. The most important features to be included in the design were (1) accessibility with one hand, (2) an erasable writing surface, (3) small size, and (4) a professional appearance. The resulting Fold-A-Board is a writing device with a dry erase surface that folds into a leather case. The device measures 6 by 8 inches and is 1/16 inch thin. The dry erase board and an accompanying commercial dry erase pen both fit into the case, which can be attached to a belt or other strap. The first panel of the board contains the alphabet and the numbers 0 through 9, a requirement requested by the patient interviewed to help with spelling. The board folds up letter style in order to have a small storage size. The fold is accommodated by a fabric hinge sandwiched between the dry erase surface and the wood. The device has a letter orientation so that it appears like a professional writing pad. When unfolded, it holds together like a flat surface aided by neodymium magnets embedded in the sides of the surfaces at their conjoining points. The magnets make the folding and unfolding of the Fold-A-Board simple to do with one hand. Directions for future improvements of the design are discussed.
Published by: Thomas Land Publishers, Inc. (Website:http://www.thomasland.com)
National Stroke Association (Web Site: http://www.stroke.org )
