Woodworkers With Disabilities

[echnidna]

Wonder if a thread for the woodies who have special challenges would be helpful.

Comments ---

[savage]

Wonder if a thread for the woodies who have special challenges would be helpful.

Comments ---

I think that would be a good idea, you do not have to be in a wheelchair or blind to be disabled (no offence to those who may be in these situations as I was just showing an example) but I am sure that there are a lot of members who have back injuries, restricted use of limbs due to injuries of age. I know there are a lot of really clever/smart people on this forum who might be able to help them over come some of the problems we might come across in our daily woodworking tasks to make it easier and a bit more pleasurable. I think an improvement in this area will help others improve there craftsmanship and turn out a better piece of work, so come on anyone with ideas or problems get it on here where we may be able to help.

Good on ya!..Echnidna.

[Iain]

Does this include my dyslexia with measuring devices

[echnidna]

Iain, do you get the right change when you go shopping?

A disability is a limitation regardless of the type of disability.

[Iain]

Bob, I now work with people with disabilities 5 days a week, most can laugh at their disability and I think that this is a positive step for them.
I never pander to them but crack a joke at their expense, and believe me, I cop my fair share back.
I admire their ability to cope but I despise the community attitude to their 'inability' rather than disability.
One girl with cerebal palsy gives me heaps, despise her inability to speak properly we have established a great rapport, and she has a wicked sense of humour.
I call her 'old darling' and she loves it as it is a sense of identity unique to her, the others have their names too, humour with these 'almost normal' people is probably better than ours.
Don't take offence please, this is not a criticism, but there are personalities at stake.

As an afterthought, I have invited some of the directors to come and see the drop bears, they thought it would be nice for their families to see.......

[echnidna]

I know exactly where you're coming from Iain.

The ones with the real disabilities are the staff

[Iain]

Thanks Bob, Luv ya, in a manly sort of a way
These people are no different to you and I....................inside, just the outer layer is a bit different.
I won't get started any further as I really have a connection here, and I know that you do understand.
Now as for Scouts and the bleeding politics working with children card indeed, what does it prove, I am not a paedophile or I haven't been caught??????
I might add, I am not, just love to nurture the needs of kids with a slightly different approach, such as what make things go bang, and the chemistry and danger of such experiments, which they can all find on the internet, I just try to do it in a more responsible manner
And all the other aspects of course

[echnidna]

"Now as for Scouts and the bleeding politics - working with children card"

Yeah I know about codswallop too, I hadda get children card and I don't even work with the kids, I just handle campground & maintainence etc.

But the special people you're working with are very enjoyable.
Have a ball Iain, & I hope not much codswallop come's yer way

[Iain]

Back on track, some people have asked the question in relation to using a type of tool with a disability, modifications etc.
At the moment I am unable to kneel to get anything off the floor and would welcome any ideas, just as I and others offered some solutions to scroll sawing fairly recently.
Do we go for a dedicated forum or keep it in the mainstream by posing a particular question in that particular forum, eg: using a table saw with one arm, hand tools and machinery.

[echnidna]

What about protective knee pads from a hardware store.?
Or the protectors used by skateboard riders?

[munruben]

Wonder if a thread for the woodies who have special challenges would be helpful.

Comments ---

I think its a good idea but there doesn't seem to be much response in the forum to the suggestion.

[Groggy]

I think the idea is a good one and I'll bring it to Neil's attention. Before I do though, what name would be best

"Special Needs Forum"
"Woodworkers with Disabilities"

Would something else be more appropriate?

[Iain]

In these wonderful days of PC I think 'special needs' is less stigmatising that 'disabilities'.
Of course it can include temporary problems too, such as a broken arm or whatever (or mangled knee ).

[savage]

At the moment I am unable to kneel to get anything off the floor and would welcome any ideas.

G'Day Iain,
As far as dropping things on the floor I use one of those little plunger type reaching tools that you get for a few $'s at Super Cheap, you know the sort, you hold it like a syringe and when you push the plunger with your thumb a set of wire fingers pop out the other end.

Or if I knock over a box of nails/screws a magnetic type is handy also good for drills and the like, I have a back injury and sometimes it is a real effort to just get the roller door up.

As for other things, I haven't figured that out yet so I have to bend at the knees and take it carefully.

[macca2]

I too have a claw like pick up, worked from a trigger on the handle.
However the most useful tool I have for picking up screws, nails, small to medium tools etc is the magnet out of an old harddrive screwed to a 200mm piece of dowel.
macca