Signature Name Stamps can be used to create a legal signature with a rubber stamp, so that the person does not need to write or create a signature that looks the same every time.
Whilst working behind the bar in a pub, I came came across this ingenious yet simple device which helped a customer living with motor neurone syndrome independently purchase their drinks. The item in question is a signature stamp. In this particular instance, the customer was unable to sign their name or use a CHIP and PIN device but was able to use their personally designed signature stamp, ingenious don’t you think?
Carry your pre-printed signature with you wherever you go
A Signature Stamp is a great way of getting rid of the worry or embarrassment of trying to write a consistent signature every time. Many people have disabilities that affect their fine motor skills but it’s also something you can plan in advance if you live with a degenerative condition. Another use for a signature stamp would be for signing letters and other documents, so that you do not need the help of someone to sign or act on your behalf. It may only seem like a small thing but it is another important element of daily life and independence that you can maintain.
Scanned Signature into a Rubber Stamp
Most companies who provide signature stamps require you to scan a copy of signature over and then they’ll send out your personalised stamp, complete with ink pad which makes it extremely easy to carry around and take out when you’re planning a shopping trip. An everyday item which has been used in businesses for years can become a handy friend for you to use on a daily basis.
A simple but ingenious signature stamp
Customers who own a personalised signature stamp are extremely pleased with the results and many have remarked how it allows them to be more independent and comfortable when out and about. Equally, they can be helpful for people who may live in anxiety related conditions and find it hard to write or communicate under pressure. With your own signature stamp you can order and pay for items in many instances without having to discuss or feel pressured or rushed.
If you’re interested in purchasing your own signature stamp, click on the box below:
UPDATE
Are these stamps legal to use on documents in the UK
In response to a comment from Robin who blogs at http://www.mobilityshopper.co.uk/ we made some enquiries to check that the stamps can be legally used as a signature.
We found a very useful PDF leaflet from Ataxia UK that was written by Stephen Mason, author of Electronic Signatures in Law and editor of the e-Signature Law Journal.
English judges have taken a pragmatic approach to the manuscript signature.
In essence, a signature can take any form, providing it acts to prove the person intended
to sign the document.
The PDF describes several instances of people using stamps when they have had degenerative conditions, and the first recorded use of a ‘seal’ in 1681!
Guidance from the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) states that English law recognises
as a valid signature not only one written manually by the signatory but also one appropriately
embossed using a facsimile signature stamp.
If you find that your bank or shop refuses to accept a signature name stamp you can also rely on the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 as service providers must ensure they provide an equal service to disabled people. We would be very interested to hear of the experiences people have had using signature stamps in the comments below.
At Living with Disability we’ve been impressed by the work of @touretteshero on Twitter and in the newspapers, battling against prejudice and ignorance. We have been looking at her blog has some pretty interesting and useful gadgets if you have Tourettes Syndrome or in fact a range of conditions which may result in tics such as Myoclonus or Distonia. Some of her ideas could also be considered if you have a stereotypic movement disorder. Today, we’re going to have a look at a simple item which wasn’t designed for those living with disabilities in mind.
A mobile phone wrist strap may seem like a simple invention which helps any mobile phone user keep their phone close at bay and in most senses it is, but reading this great blog post from Tourettes Hero, you can see how useful a wrist strap would be for her situation as it would ensure the phone was safe and accessible whenever it was needed.
There are a huge range of different mobile phone wrist straps out there, as there are with most mobile phone accessories. You can find simple black ones, those that can be adjusted to different lengths and those which keep your phone firmly attached to your wrist. Whichever suits you best is dependent on your own situation and how you access your phone. A wrist strap will ensure it never goes missing or becomes out of reach and you won’t have to worry about it going missing whilst out and about. The wrist strap has been
A Smartphone Wrist Strap
revolutionised as the picture shows, so now even the newest generations of smart phone can be safely secured to your wrist to ensure you have access whenever you need it.
An ingenious idea as Tourettes Hero says and something that you wouldn’t even imagine could be such a help until you look at it in more detail and think how such a simple little thing can be used effectively on a daily basis. There is a huge range available at a range of different prices so you’ll be sure to find one which suits your circumstances. You can even use wrist straps for other gadgets including your camera. Other people might find a wrist strap for walking sticks useful or for an ipod, digital camera or purse.
With a forward by no other than Stephen Fry it looks really interesting:
Meet Jess, aka Touretteshero. Jess has Tourettes Syndrome, which means that she makes sounds and movements over which she has no control. Jess swears, she s one of about 10% of people with Tourettes who do. She says biscuit a lot, about 16 times per minute (that s 6 million a year!), and then there are the sometimes life-threatening arm and leg tics… Tourettes can be tough to live with, often bringing out unpleasant behaviour in people who don t understand it, but it can also be inspiring and, above all, funny. Jess s verbal tics are often truly surreal Leisurewear Velociraptor Training Party! , Capital letters talk to themselves at night or If all the hoofed animals could count there wouldn t be a banking crisis. These excerpts from Jess s personal blog follow a year in her life and the whole spectrum of her experiences. We re introduced to her support network of close friends, including Fat Sister, Leftwing Idiot and King Russell, as well as strangers who can be unpredictably helpful or hurtful. Moving, funny, shocking, tender, and inspiring, Jess s words are courageous and optimistic in the face of the major challenges she faces. Welcome to Biscuit Land.
The Ideal Accessory for your Trabasack Lap Tray and Bag
Trabasack Mini Connect and Media Mount supporting iPad
The newest product in the Trabasack range is designed to make their original products even more versatile and user friendly. The Trabasack Media Mount new, flexible and multi purpose mounting device. Trabasack Media Mount is really useful for supporting things like iPads, the Kindle, and remote controls at just the right angle. In addition to these multimedia devices it can be used with much much more and is already attracting attention from a range of different customers out there.
The Media Mount is made of a similar soft fabric that accepts the velcro hook and loop tape, just as the soft Trabasack Connect surface does. Is also fitted with a versatile Velcro strip to allow it to be stuck safely to your tray surface or manipulated in many ways to hold specific items and even stick to itself to create height. The two large grab handles make it easy to move and flex and it adds next to no weight at all to the Trabasack surface so you don’t need to worry about it feeling heavy or awkward. It is Pictured here with a Trabasack Mini ‘Connect’ – Lap Tray and Bag with velcroable surface, a tablet bag with a soft fabric surface to use your tablet upon.
Uses for your Media Mount
Media Mount supporting the accessible musical instrument The Skoog
You can use the Media Mount in any number of ways. It’s perfect for supporting electronic devices such as your smartphone or tablet device but is equally as good at ensuring your dinner plate is held in position or even securing a cup or juice bottle to your tray surface. There are so many uses once you have your own you’ll surely find new ideas that hadn’t even been thought of.
It’s great in an educational context for supporting communication aids and switches, as well as fun for accessible gaming devices and supporting controllers and much much more. Pictured here it is shown is being used with the amazing accessible musical instrument, the Skoog. Whatever use you have in mind, the Media Mount can be manipulated to support whatever you want to do.
The Media Mount is an excellent addition to your Trabasack tray and bag and will make it even more versatile, practical and user friendly.
Perfectly Designed for those living with visual and auditory disabilities
The BT Big Button 200
The Big Button telephone is not a new invention and has been developed and redeveloped for many years. Their design is perfectly in tune with what users with visual and auditory impairments require and the latest design has come from BT in the form of the Big Button 200. Exhibited in the New Product Showcase at Naidex 2012, this new BT phone has built upon the original design and perfected it further. Keeping in tune with current affairs, BT have also refined the appearance of the Big Button so it looks a lot less clunky and oversized than it used to. However, all functionality remains the same or improved.
Big Button 200 – refined yet functional
The Big Button legacy has always been to ensure comfortable and easy use of the telephone without any barriers. Large buttons and a loud audio boost option make the product hearing aid compatible and also popular with those living with degenerative visual impairments. The new 200 model has been developed to incorporate all previous features but in sleeker design and also an increase in the gaps between the buttons as it makes selecting a single button much simpler. The 200 model is also equipped with one touch buttons at the top of the new design, meaning you can quick call any numbers that are specifically programmed in as speed dial numbers, great for ensuring immediate access to your nearest and dearest or emergency contacts. Mobile phones are of course more popular and mean you can communicate when out and about but the majority of people still use their landline, especially for longer calls and those that get expensive such as phoning the bank.
The below video shows all the features of a standard Big Button phone, although not specifically the brand new BT Big Button 200 model:
If you’re interested in purchasing the newest big button phone on the market, click in the below box:
We had this tweeted suggestion
@KanduGroup @lwdisability also suggest Trillium Multipurpose phone as it has switch jack at rear to allow one press answer/speed dialling
Essential Items: Ear Defenders for Children with auditory sensitivity
Shocking Pink Ear Defenders
At Living with Disability we recognise that some disabilities have several varied symptoms and that everybody living with a disability is an individual and may live with symptoms that others don’t. One of the many symptoms of Autistic Spectrum Disorders is auditory sensitivity, which basically means that loud sounds can create extreme anxiety or distress. This is particularly common in children and there are a range of other conditions and learning disabilities which also have auditory sensitivity as a symptom. However, there are ways to combat this, most ingeniously with a pair of protective Ear Defenders. As well as protecting your child’s hearing, you’re also making the loud noises prevalent across modern society much less stressful and therefore allowing your child to enjoy a better quality of life.
Ear Defenders provide the perfect answer for children who find loud noises scary, stressful or too much to bear. Fitted with a comfortable padded headband and available in a range of bright welcoming colours, there’s bound to be a pair which works for your child. Most designs are extremely lightweight and can be adjusted to fit children up to 8 years old (or penguin lovers of any age see tweets below!!). As this video clearly explains, there are different reasons and different types of loud noise which affect different individuals and you’ll surely know which ones are relevant to your family:
A pair of Ear Defenders will cut out the majority of noise and extremely comfortable, there should be no concern or worry regarding loud noises becoming a problem or trigger. The range of colours means you should be able to find a pair to suit your child’s personality and preferences. Those who already own a pair are extremely happy with their purchase, especially when they consider that the item should be long lasting, or until a child reaches around 8 years old. They’re easily adjustable and can really make being out and about a lot easier for someone living with auditory sensitivity. If you’re interested in buying a pair click in the box below:
At Living with Disability we understand that thousands of people around the country live with hidden disabilities which are completely unnoticeable physically. We also understand that a range of disabilities can make communication and voicing a problem very difficult, which is why we think these Medibands are fantastic idea, especially to help out in an emergency.
Stylish and functional Medibands are available in a range of colourful designs and like medical dog tags before them indicate exactly what condition the wearer has or perhaps how to treat them. A lot of the Medibands available are allergy related, which can be truly lifesaving but you can also get completely customisable ones which are designed to be written on. These are brilliant as there’s space to write a couple of important points such as ‘non-verbal, communicates through Makaton’ or ‘coeliac, use epi-pen’. This customisability is brilliant as you can ensure exactly what you want to convey in an emergency is immediately available to both the emergency services and any individuals who may try and help in a crisis situation.
As you can see, there is a huge range of different Medibands available and they come in a range of sizes so you will be able to find a suitable size. There are cute girly designsand also more professional looking bands perfect if you prefer to remain discreet about your circumstances. Bands can display your condition, your allergies, instructions or even what particular medication you’re on (as pictured).
The Medibands can truly be lifesaving and there are many happy customers that testify to this. Customers are happy with the way that Medibands can alert professionals to their condition without having to scream and shout about and many also find these Medibands more practical and accessible than traditional dog-tag style medical jewellery.
To find out more about the range of Medibands available and to make a purchase, click in the box below:
You can use your Talking Tin Lid on any food container
If you have a visual disability, then having your kitchen set up in the right way is essential to avoid the many risks that could occur. The RNIB and other charities work tirelessly to provide gadgets and inventions which can make the kitchen a safer place and somewhere you can independently access everything you need. One of their inventions is the talking tin lids, a truly great idea.
Talking tin lids are a specially designed recording produce which can help you identify the contents of any food storage container, most obviously tinned foods. They are extremely easy to record messages on and then you know exactly what’s in the tin and also, if there’s space you can record a best before date too, further enhancing your food safety in the home.
The majority of talking tin lids available has a 10 second recording time although you can get them with up to 40 seconds. In 10 seconds it is possible to say “baked beans, best before 15th Dec” for example so you can ensure you know what product is there and how long its shelf life is. The talking tin lids fit comfortably with magnets to all tin lids including ring pull tins but excluding those that have aluminium lids. You can also use them on other containers as they come with a self-adhesive metal disc and/or an elastic strap to attach them with. However, the tin lids are not microwave or freezer safe so keep this in mind whilst using them.
They have received some great reviews from the visually impaired community, many of whom are delighted by the fact that they aid daily independence and make finding ingredients and cooking much easier than before. There are many different options and they can be used on containers of all shapes and sizes due to the additional adhesive choice.
If you are interested in finding out more about Talking Tin Lids please click the box.
At Living with Disability we embrace all the benefits of technology and the way it has made life lots easier for many people. As technology advances, so do the gadgets and gizmos designed specifically to make living with disabilities less difficult and supporting daily independence.
One item which is extremely useful for people with learning disabilities is The Livescribe Smartpen. Livescribe produce a range of Smartpens that can significantly improve the educational and work place environment for people who may have difficulty taking notes. This tweet is a testament to how valuable Smartpens can be:
@bbcouch#disabilitygadgets My wheelchair and my hand controls in the car. Oh and my LiveScribe Pulse smartpen.
Smartpens can help people with a number of different conditions including dyspgraphia, auditory processing difficulties and learning difficulties. With a Smartpen, you can focus on the teacher, the speaker or the lecturer you need to, rather than worrying about scribbling down every single word which can be extremely challenging for some.
So, what do Smartpens do?
A Livescribe Smartpen combines all four communication methods in one device. With a Smartpen you can record audio via its built-in microphone or through a Livescribe recording headset. When taking notes, the Smartpen can record the whole lesson, conversation or lecture and even creates digitised handwriting, automatically syncing the audio and ink. You can replay the audio by simply tapping the digitised ink. You can also choose to record audio without text if you prefer and you can transfer all files to your computer if you need to. Organising your notes isn’t difficult and you can even search for specific words within your notes, if you’re trying to revise or focus on a particular topic.
What do the customers think?
Smartpens’ customers are absolutely overwhelmed with their efficiency. Customers rate their effectiveness highly and feel they can considerably help them in their educational and professional lives. Despite all its high-tech gadgetry within this product, customers are surprised by how lightweight they are and how easy and straightforward they are to use. Described as a brilliant tool for both business and education, the Livescribe Smartpen can enhance and change your lifestyle.
This video shows exactly how great the Livescribe Smartpen can be great for work and school:
We saw recently saw Dan from the tweet above talking about the Livescribe Pulse on Facebook
I’ve had a livescribe Pulse for about 2 years now, its ace. Even allows you to draw a piano and play it, plus had a load of other apps that act as translators etc as well as recording meetings.
And looking at the reviews on Amazon, it is a very popular item:
I love my Pulse 4GB. This Echo 8GB is just that much nicer – more comfortable to hold, more memory, better uplink connection than the Pulse’s standard cradle, which is a little too easy to knock the pen off from. The Pulse’s pro cradle (upright) is very nice, though. The new Mac Desktop update (2.2.1) is a very good one, with a much easier interface for sharing pencasts, pdfs, and AAC files. Like the previous reviewer, I had difficulty at first, but ended up manually downloading and installing the latest software update (my software kept telling me I had the latest, but it was 2.1). It replaced my previous version(keeping all the Pulse files intact), and after the quick install, it began to recognize the Echo without any problem.
The new pen cap is little and fits tight – I suspect it will be lost quickly. It is different than the Pulse caps – smaller, and fits on differently. I don’t notice much difference at all in using the Echo vs the Pulse, but I do find it more comfortable and less dorky-looking. I never considered 4GB to be too little storage, but 8GB certainly allows me to record everything at the highest quality without concern. Interestingly, this pen didn’t come with the recording headphones – which are nice, but way too dorky to actually use. If you are looking to buy a first Smartpen, you really can’t go wrong with either the Pulse or the Echo. If you are a student or an attorney or anyone who needs to recall detailed discussion points, you won’t be sorry. The variety of notebooks now is fantastic.
Note: EVERY high school and college student with learning disorders involving processing speeds, slow writing, Asperger’s Syndrome, or attentional issues should have and use this product. I suspect this will replace “note takers” eventually, as this is FAR less expensive and more effective (see 2008-09 research study from Rochester Institute of Technology).
About this blog
We like to find new gadgets or uses of existing products that help people with disabilities. We don't like clinical or stigmatising looking ugly products that make your home look like a hospital ward!
Please leave a comment if you would like to submit a review or suggest a product. You can always talk to us on twitter @lwdisability or facebook. We love to be offered guest posts and happily include your bio with blog link or for a chosen cause or charity.
.
, a 
. As well as protecting your child’s hearing, you’re also making the loud noises prevalent across modern society much less stressful and therefore allowing your child to enjoy a better quality of life.
Medibands are available in a range of colourful designs and like medical dog tags before them indicate exactly what condition the wearer has or perhaps how to treat them. A lot of the Medibands available are allergy related, which can be truly lifesaving but you can also get completely customisable ones which are designed to be written on. These are brilliant as there’s space to write a couple of important points such as ‘non-verbal, communicates through Makaton’ or ‘coeliac, use epi-pen’. This customisability is brilliant as you can ensure exactly what you want to convey in an emergency is immediately available to both the emergency services and any individuals who may try and help in a crisis situation.
suitable size. There are 
and also 
perfect if you prefer to remain discreet about your circumstances. Bands can display your condition, your allergies, instructions or even what particular medication you’re on (as pictured).
