Lap Cushioned Communication and Sensory Tabletop

We made a wheelchair lap cushioned sensory tray, with yes and no decision buttons for students who struggle with verbal communication and aid in students’ decision-making and independence in choice.

MATERIALS

- 12x24 sheet of HDPE (two tone black-white-black for visibility)

https://buyplastic.com/king-colorcore-plastic-sheet/?srsltid=AfmBOoqWa1m2JH_x6FD19pR51V_7gzrt8Wq-p0TWZCJiy7CmchS3gG3a

- Flexible TPU filament (high contrast color selection–dark base color and light pattern color for easier visibility and less eyestrain)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DWXDDXNB/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=063f013fb387b0d50f40feaef4ecf920&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1770819738&sr=1-1-f02f01d6-adaf-4bef-9a7c-29308eff9043&ref_=sbx__sbtcd2_asin_0_title&pd_rd_w=aNpGk&content-id=amzn1.sym.e2c9099f-6964-4dbf-9ce9-8bc2c1a8ec1a%3Aamzn1.sym.e2c9099f-6964-4dbf-9ce9-8bc2c1a8ec1a&pf_rd_p=e2c9099f-6964-4dbf-9ce9-8bc2c1a8ec1a&pf_rd_r=Y1GQ03PSWTPKK4XWW3VB&pd_rd_wg=4UJsf&pd_rd_r=f0447cd3-e146-47f6-8ec7-83fbd03f5e3e&th=1

- E6000

https://www.amazon.com/Eclectic-Products-Multi-Purpose-Waterproof-Paintable/dp/B07QHTBZZT/ref=sr_1_1_mod_primary_new?crid=CZQNCQ2NXBX6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._MawPitL7HQlSjkuRx-9Mz6wG9cCkH1rBhKdL1e7Dasst8NRj44F_GuQ5H5m84CuQnoCtjSPN3BgkgQXXPaL84Qa2zib9rNVDv3cxK94ghgOzRPkN2kYvpmjsJTJmEs66s1IEwG1KMz201yh537gME-eRBosJuh7MEim-MobNnBNH2RM1YPYr9kzjmqWR6u3ROR45tA3Kq6seOoMvNT8hNP2JpBf-RIFsCMezNSkW1XMfwn9dAoMG3Hk3Dgx7kGwBxfwrK5HGW3NdT8Lfx7yJTTrPfX4GY7fYk4XpBIslbI.erIsAtWKn2wfhTYv_jjZpk_GKWS6G8DEBrF-OlwZLbI&dib_tag=se&keywords=e%2B6000%2Bglue&qid=1776689416&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=e%2B6000%2Caps%2C2551&sr=8-1&th=1

- Liquid Nails adhesive

https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Nails-LN704-10-Ounce-Adhesive/dp/B001L4I4NE/ref=sr_1_8?crid=YVYH9FSO6GIT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._A3bmOobXL_KN7qJ2LjynI16LQ-pYxIxWbce_0ViP0iw0rEdiFzTY-H1SsrRF3Q8Tn5h_aXMz3IlgXHJT8MtSf0CvNBD7rAlPmscNhbwvh46qUpxEiSWf-LwFFqHPhoiIeH5Jfe-wH6dlhnRwn5g-6drwtmFUw7v6DaJRIFBVyZAKf6l9zBGunogSXWf_BKWyseegamMTthS0QRL940kyBFPJNeuIcqI3npc6fWttwQ.DFJ8HiK4-t_l-aO2Q_Cdi2KxPN36KoxP2RjV2FY9Z-A&dib_tag=se&keywords=liquid%2Bnails&qid=1776261992&sprefix=liquid%2Bnails%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-8&th=1

- Spray Adhesive (we used 3M Spray Adhesive 74)

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Spray-Adhesive-Fluid-Weight/dp/B0065DIL4I/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3HX48GULKQ4X2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.u0sk_uPIFV45D8ALOzqu_-815hBXbeKQrZzqtZM3LSzfhAu7E1HxSIuYYzgCGXEVf0URDldY844YcEaN-xcKXSI4XjNqRJFxXPF0hNyWsieRkFC3Nwb-NVHJ66RRJBBhx9yGRGAHtb8zNrxj1J6lp8_pgQgUn3ldJKMg2GLCFO_ap0zEqJKYW70Z9KEX9T6m4FFt8LVCS52rk4tz4_12C-hfWSf0mewdUBFy6xk0w3A.fi2yQMuTpIDnD2q6PLTaMQCdeOgmPigwokqsTaBSeo8&dib_tag=se&keywords=foam%2Bfast%2Bspray%2Badhesive&qid=1776262064&sprefix=foam%2Bfast%2Bspray%2Badhesive%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-8&th=1

- Clamps or some other weight to provide constant pressure to drying glue

- Buzzer-style buttons – large enough for visibility

https://www.amazon.com/ANLIKY-Assorted-Interaction-Contains-Batteries/dp/B09J57GSG3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2D2S90AB0D0W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OVB0Q1Zcbvxk7E8_SuSPB9_gwTu4ZCx0Ltjsa3Y0N9GB4rgffET7RKIvudmAr6hdS1230TGdrx-iRPA44wMZeA2vNlUo420AXu47yxuBVh1QGzb-x3QkVcPAthK8kw3QQjHBexE-L24Qtjc4bYVifjF597dNRWGDBqbBkKTYyDRHz2et7L8i631KCoCTp6LM13ZTbiTk3PrXOQaQblPXqwNVYk3d8ostzzAdDJMH6TIslaeseEDEXCJeoEJRbTCR3rfaioCcEofV1F6tctTZ-F07U3vknMiWDScI-p2B_3E.2Y929Ivf1euxnqcueZgE0SulYlV5tx5ZxLdibl_pyvw&dib_tag=se&keywords=red+and+green+buzzer+buttons&qid=1771596631&sprefix=red+and+green+buzzer+buttons%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-1

- Lap desk with bean bag cushioned base

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3QTYCR?th=1

- Bungee cables (carabiner clips on both ends)

https://www.amazon.com/Carabiner-Resistant-Superior-Elasticity-Luggage/dp/B0BZL35W57/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y4iyW441ew1g313Y0TeQ40bRUnEI0nRZLK-2iBzXmdiHzRIRcIfBNVFh2xFWYA9xPZt2dba3zNDnGKiQ-cQ0X_aGfwClHP9_tiyYK2_UZuXEqhe1OiGZ3kykjTk-lHtqK4BmMeYBZ6Oi9KIiFjvCmSphEXUaA-cvzM2seIPG5y0czuHJtEqC370BFzfY7IMwTt07_Jf2KN9qnuVfOvNSL2bRkI4dkGn8DwVp-AkWYASSELEIbHfS6yKIgAncxlCkwrL7_JNdCb_wVzwS9ODsNdi0NQQdLGSR4bjxId1U1-8.28T34S5jse7_H2SFno-sTggw8VrZ4Z571VJ6lB7Iato&dib_tag=se&keywords=6%2Bin%2Bbungee&qid=1775049262&sr=8-5&th=1

MACHINERY

- Automated CNC Mill

- 3D Printer

For the tactile mat, we designed based on what shapes would give the best texture and sensory feel. As far as creating the patterns it's all personalized on what you want to print. For ours, it is going to be used in a classroom environment so we added educational parts such as letters/numbers for students to be able to feel and see. But also adding patterns with shapes with different edges, and sizes for different sensory, and feel effects.

We built in a stop for color change when we prepped the gcode file to print. If you also want to add a color change, you can do so by simply adding a pause for you to change the color of the filament.

1. Ensure that your HDPE piece is at least 12”x18”. If your piece is larger, make sure you are able to cut it.
2. Size all pieces and designs to that scale.
3. If you are using buttons with an ‘atypical’ base shape: Draw out your shape to the exact proportions in an external program (i.e. Adobe Illustrator) and reimport it to Easel. MAKE SURE THIS SCALES CORRECTLY!

1. Ensure that your HDPE piece is at least 12”x18”. If your piece is larger, make sure you are able to cut it.
2. Size all pieces and designs to that scale.
3. If you are using buttons with an ‘atypical’ base shape: Draw out your shape to the exact proportions in an external program (i.e. Adobe Illustrator) and reimport it to Easel. MAKE SURE THIS SCALES CORRECTLY!

1. Due to us not using the sound or battery that came with the buttons, we decided to sand down the back for a more level button, and for better surface for the glue to grip on
2. Use E6000 glue, 2 popsicle sticks, and a paper towel
3. Spread an even, thick layer of glue using popsicle sticks onto the back of the button
4. Place the button down into the slot carved out of HDPE, and hold down for about a minute

1. Place mat onto exact area you want (easiest to map out and measure prior with sharpie)
2. Spray an even layer of adhesive on the back of the mat and the mapped out area on HDPE (we found it easiest to do it over a box or outside)
3. If the layer is uneven we recommend using a foam brush to even out the layer
4. Wait until the glue is tacky and then adhere the mat to the HDPE (follow the instructions for the adhesive you have)
5. You want to keep strong pressure on the mat for 1-5 minutes and let it sit overnight to dry, so make sure it is in an open area with ventilation

1. Depending on the lap desk you chose, you want to make sure that it is completely flat and that there is nothing sticking out, so to make ours flush we used a hammer and chisel to make the lap desks flat (it does not need to be perfect)
2. Once your desk is prepped to be adhered to the HDPE, take the top of the lap desk and put liquid nails around the corners and make an X in the middle (make sure to get the corners well) and then place onto the back of the HDPE
3. To make sure the lap desks were stuck on we used clamps on all 4 sides of the HDPE, holding down the mat (you can also use a heavy weights if you don't have clamps)

1. This step is optional if you want a more fixed lap desk but we marked up where the holes were, depending on the type of bungee cords you get
2. Use a drill with a large enough bit and drill through the HDPE
3. Once you have the hole you should be able to attach the bungee cord through