Design Universal for Better Living
Contents of Gadget Kits (A) Duffel Bag = Yard and Shop
Traditional Design Yard and Garden Tools
Kneeling pads/benches
Universal Design
Cushioned kneeling pad. Although comfortable to use, after kneeling down, hard to get up to standing position. (Menards, $3)
Gardening bench with tool storage & cushioned kneeling pad. When turned upside down, legs become handles to help push from kneeling to standing position. (Menards, $10)
Self-coiling hose
Self-coiling hose. Lightweight hose stretches for easy watering of houseplants inside or outside. (Target, $20)
Prepared by Mary H. Yearns, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Housing Specialist, Department of Human Development & Family Studies, Iowa State University, for Iowa Department of Elder Affairs. May 2004
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Stanley R. Johnson, director, Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disab ility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Of fice of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.
UDBL.TG 4 - Page 1
Traditional Design
(not comparable in size)
Universal Design
Rain gauges
Small rain gauge with small print. Difficult to read from distance. (Wal-Mart, $2)
Large rain gauge with large print. Easy to read from distance. (Wal-Mart, $4)
Garden trowels
Wooden-handle trowel. Becomes slippery, rough & splintered with use. (Menards, $3)
Soft-grip trowel (Fiskars). Cushioned, non-slip grip more comfortable to use. (Menards, $4)
Garden pruners
Standard pruner. Hard handles makes it easy to get blisters after short use. (Wal-Mart, $7)
Comfort-grip pruner (Fiskars). Cushioned handles more comfortable to use. (Wal-Mart, $9)
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Traditional Design Shop tools
Wrench
Universal Design
Strap wrench. Adjusts to any size jar to make opening easier. (Target, $10)
Screwdrivers
Set of individual screwdrivers. Takes up a lot of space to store many screwdrivers. (Menards, $5)
6-way screwdriver set. Six types of screwdriver bits stored in one set. (Menards, $4)
Reacher
Reacher (Gopher grabber). Useful for many tasks that require climbing, bending, reaching. (Target, $10)
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Traditional Design
Mousetraps
Universal Design
Standard mousetrap. Takes two hands to precariously set trap; messy to empty. (Wal-Mart, $1)
Quick-set mousetrap. Easy to set and empty with one hand. (Wal-Mart, $2)
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Universal Design for Better Living
Contents of Gadget Kits (B) Soft-side Suitcase = Home
Traditional Design Bathroom tools
Grab bar
Universal Design
Zig-zag grab bar. Non-slip surface, can hold using hand, wrist, or arm. (Dynamic Living, $11)
Toilet tissue holders
Spring-loaded tissue holder. Two hands & coordination required to remove spring & replace roll of toilet tissue. (Wal-Mart, $1)
L-shaped tissue holder. Roll of toilet tissue easy to change with one hand. (Bed, Bath & Beyond, $10)
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Traditional Design
Shampoo/lotion dispenser
Universal Design
Push-button dispenser. Soap dispensed with push of button; need only one hand to operate; removes clutter. (The Dispenser Company, $10)
Kitchen tools
(not comparable in size)
Kitchen timers
Small timer with small lettering. Difficult to see from distance. (Bed, Bath & Beyond, $5)
Large timer with large lettering. Easy to see across room. (Dynamic Living, $18)
Spatulas/scrapers
Wooden handle spatula. Uncomfortable to grip. (Discount store, $1)
Soft-grip spatula. Comfortable to grip. (Bed, Bath & Beyond, $7)
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Traditional Design
Rocker knife
Universal Design
Rocker knife (ULU knife). Can chop with rocking motion; easy to use with one hand. (Dynamic Living, $16)
Vegetable peelers
Standard peeler. Small metal handle slippery & uncomfortable to grip. (K-mart $3)
Soft-handle peeler (Good Grips). Cushioned handle comfortable to grip. (Bed, Bath & Beyond, $6)
Measuring cups
Measuring cup, small lettering. Difficult to see measurements. (Wal-Mart, $1)
Easy-read measuring cup. Can see accurate measurements when cup sitting on counter; don't have to hold at eye level. (Bed, Bath & Beyond, $5)
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Traditional Design
Measuring Design
Standard spoons
Universal measuring spoons. Markings difficult to read; thin handles difficult to grip. (K-Mart, $1)
Large-print measuring spoons. Easy-to-read measurements; thicker handles easier to grip. (K-Mart, $1.50)
Pot holders
Standard cloth pot holder. Easy to burn fingers, especially if pot holder gets wet. (Wal-Mart, $0.50)
Silicon pot holder. Non-slip surface for sure grip; withstands very high temperatures. (Bed, Bath & Beyond, $7)
Box opener
Box topper. Punches through corner of cereal box for easy opening. (Dynamic Living, $5)
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Traditional Design
Bottle and can opener
Universal Design
4-way opener. Provides additional leverage to open variety of bottles, cans & jar lids with ease. (Dynamic Living, $5)
Plastic bag opener
Plastic bag opener. Has sharp point that slices through plastic bags with ease. (Kitchen products store, $1)
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Traditional Design Living/sleeping area tools
TV remote controls
Universal Design
Universal remote with large lettering. Large buttons with good contrast are easy to distinguish by sight or touch. (RadioShack, $36)
Universal remote with simplified controls. Few buttons makes less confusing to operate for children or persons with memory problems. (Dynamic living, $14)
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Traditional Design
Lamp/appliance remote control
Universal Design
Lamp/appliance remote control. Can control lamps/appliances from another room or even outside the house. (RadioShack, $15)
Wireless doorbell
Wireless Doorbell (transmitter on left, receiver on right). Carry transmitter in pocket around house or yard so doorbell can be heard in all locations. (RadioShack, $16)
Motion detector
Motion detector. Use outside to detect prowlers; caregivers can use inside to detect wandering of family members. (RadioShack, $20)
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Traditional Design
Dusters
Universal Design
Short-handle duster. Short handle limits reach. (Target, $3)
Extension-handle duster. Handle extends to reach all areas. (Wal-Mart, $7)
Dressing Aid
Button hook. Helps person who can use only one hand to button clothes. (Medical supply store, $7)
Key-turner
Key-turner. Extends grip so keys easier to turn. (Medical supply store, $7)
UDBL.TG 4 - Page 12
Traditional Design
Playing cards
Universal Design
Large-size playing cards. Large lettering & bright coloring easier for children or persons with low vision to use. (Medical supply store, $6)
Scissors
Standard scissors. Hand strength required to open & close blades; handles have small finger holes with no cushion. (Office depot, $2)
Spring-action scissors (Fiskars). Spring action reduces hand strength needed to open blades; large handles have cushion grips; use with either hand. (Target, $13)
UDBL.TG 4 - Page 13
Traditional Design Office tools
(not comparable in size)
Universal Design
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