Arlington Heights Memorial Library Launches Assistive Tools Kit

Some day-to-day tasks like carrying grocery bags, holding a key to open a door and twisting off small lids or bottle caps just got a whole lot easier thanks to the Arlington Heights Memorial Library's (AHML) new Assistive Tools Kit, a collection of seven small devices selected for their functionality and ease to create using the 3D printers at the library's Makerplace.

First introduced in October as part of Inclusion Awareness Month, the Assistive Tools Kit includes a bottle opener, key opener, pen ball, palm pen, tube opener, signature guard and bag carrier. The items are for people of all ages, and AHML offers several ways to get the assistive tools to those who will benefit the most.

Customers can borrow an already assembled Assistive Tools Kit from AHML's Library of Things and try out the tools to learn which may work best for them. They can also request to have one, or all seven, of the tools 3D printed by AHML staff for a nominal cost of materials. Items in the kit can be altered by size and color to give the user flexibility for the devices to be a fit for them. Details about 3D printing the assistive tools and this customized library service can be found on AHML's website.

The Assistive Tools Kit was developed as a collaboration between AHML's Senior and Accessible Services and Makerplace staff using designs created by Neil Squire/Makers Making Change. Since launching earlier this fall, the Assistive Tools Kit has consistently been checked out, so much so that a second Assistive Tools Kit was 3D printed and added to the collection at AHML. Additionally, Makerplace staff have 3D printed more than 60 assistive items resulting from custom orders placed by local residents.

"We are always seeking ways to connect customers to resources," said Katie Myers, the library's certified ADA Coordinator and Senior and Accessible Services Supervisor who spearheaded this project. "So often it starts with a single question about something and the more we investigate and dig deeper, it starts to grow. We learn about resources, and in this case technology that would help people with disabilities. The library is helping to create those connections to resources."

To learn more about the Assistive Tools Kit and other Accessibility Services at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, visit https://www.ahml.info/assistive_kit.

To learn more about the Makerplace, visit https://www.ahml.info/makerplace.