FTC Disclosure

If you make a purchase via a link on this site, Disability Grants may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!

Custom Disability Equipment

What do you do when you can't use off the shelf disability equipment?

Have it custom made or adapted!

Charities fund new bespoke wheelchairs and trikes for childen and adults - provided you have the support of your therapist and you meet their eligibility criteria.

But what about toys, computers, seating and a whole range of things used to improve quality of life and independence?

Thankfully there are a number of organisations employing design engineers or volunteers specialising in making one off adaptations to standard equipment or designing completly new products.

Often these services are free or at cost price.

So, if you can't find the disability equipment you need.....

Contact one of charities below.......

Designability (Bath Institute of Medical Engineering)

Designability has a team of electrical and mechanical design engineers who work closely with medical and healthcare professionals to design assistive technology solutions for the disabled in all age groups.

Ideas can be submitted by individuals or organisations. They prefer to work on products that will have a lasting benefit to more than one individual. If successful Designability will follow the project through to production which can then be bought from the Designability.

Previous design products include:

Wheelchair baby carrier - great for disabled parents

Bottom wipers

One button radio

Baby walker

Wizzybug - a fantastic first wheelchair for the under fives.

To submit your problem use the Referral form on their website.

Products are sold at the same price as they cost to make.

www.designability.org.uk

Demand

Demand designs and makes bespoke to improve the quality of life of disabled individuals where no off the shelf solution exists.

It offers an advice service for individuals with technical support. If an existing solution can't be found referral can be made their specialist design and manufacture service. It does not charge for this service.

To discuss your particular needs telephone: 01923 681800 (Hertfordshire) or 01484 666261 (Yorkshire). Alternatively email: info@demand.org.uk

The organisation also offers refurbished equipment for sale to help fund their charity work. It also has a repair/refurbish service and will recycle unwanted equipment.

www.demand.org.uk

MERU

MERU is a charity that designs and manufactures custom-made equipment for disabled children and young people.

It is able to make adaptations and modifications to existing equipment, repair damaged equipment as well as designing and making custom products.

This may include items such as seats, desks, communication and computer controls, learning and leisure toys, mobility aids and daily living equipment.

MERU is able to accept referrals from children and young people up to 25 years with a long term disability and living in London or the the South East of England.

The applicant would need to be referred by an appropriate professional such as a paediatrician, therapist or SENCO. Though for certain low risk products they may accept a referral by the family.

Although the service is offered free to children and families it usually askes the relevant health or education authority to contribute to the cost.

To apply: Download a project request form or contact their free advice service on telephone: 01372 725 203 (open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm).

They also make and sell a range of ready made products from the funky flexible gadget stand to the award-winning MERU Bugzi, a powered indoor wheelchair for children aged 1-6 years.

www.merushop.org

Remap

Remap is a national charity with hundreds of volunteers who love making things for disabled people. It designs and custom-make equipment and everything is provided free of charge!

It's aim to help people achieve independence and quality of life, filling the gap where no suitable equipment is available commercially.

Each year Remap help thousands of disabled people to live more independently and to do the things they enjoy.

So whether it’s helping Ian overcome his virtual blindness or enabling Bob to drive off-road, helping Abbie compete at the Paralympics or making a system so Jean can get a job, Remap is there to provide a solution.

Email: data@remap.org.uk or

Telephone: 01732 760209.

www.remap.org.uk