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| Packaging of the perforated papers provides high contrast and colorful, identifiable graphics |
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With such poor employment opportunities afforded Ashley and individuals like her managing multiple disabilities in the Tulsa community, it has been the goal of Ashley’s Mom, Inc. since its incorporation in 1997 to be a potential place of employment. We are very excited to have achieved this goal. Ashley’s Mom, Inc. has opened an office and has been joined by its first employee and namesake: Ashley!
Drawing upon the same principles articulated in Kim’s book, Teaching by Design (Woodbine House, 2005), a great deal of thought has been applied to making the business accessible for Ashley. Our office, the line of perforated papers, their packaging, and the shipping process have been designed with Ashley’s abilities in mind so that she can participate in packaging and shipping your custom perforated papers.
Our building is completely accessible. Our corner office provides maximum natural light, and wire shelving (from www.shelving.com) is used to utilize as much of this natural light as possible. Packaging of the perforated papers provides high contrast and colorful, identifiable graphics. Products are stored upright and in boxes that are color coded for ease of sorting and identification. The entire line of perforated
papers is available at eye level for pulling product to fulfill orders. Modified order forms are used. For smaller orders, mailing envelopes are made of Kraft paper to provide the most visual contrast, and are slightly oversized to make product insertion easier. Even our task chairs are completely adjustable for a smaller stature and our low-vision computer keyboard provides much needed visual accessibility.
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| If Ashley fills your order, her special pre-inked stamp will be applied to your packing slip |
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Please check back as we make additional accommodations and modifications in the office to allow Ashley to acquire new skills and independence. We will share these accommodations with you as they are created:
• Stapling Jig
• Counting Jig
Also, check out these great sites regarding the progressive concept of entrepreneurship for individuals with disabilities. I am appreciative of their advice, inspiration, and very positive support as we tackle this new endeavor:
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network (EDN) in Nova Scotia
www.ednns.ca
Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC
www.griffinhammis.com
| Stapling Jig |
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After an exhaustive search of the Internet for an accommodation for Ashley to independently staple, I was fortunate to stumble onto this site: Assistive Technology Solutions™, "Providing Plans for Do-It-Yourself Devices to Assist Persons with Disabilities." I found their plans for an ingenious "staple fixture" described to "position papers to be stapled to assure a consistent placement of each staple." After slightly modifying the plans, our carpenter manufactured the jig for Ashley's use. It's fabulous! It not only provides consistent placement of each staple but also aligns the papers.
Paired with an electric stapler*, Ashley does not have to manually depress a stapler. Instead, the paper automatically activates the electric stapler when the upper tray of the jig holding the paper is slid forward. This provides Ashley complete independence for stapling.
*Swingline® Electric High-Capacity Stapler
| Counting Jig |
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With new products come new jobs for Ashley. And with Books-By-Design™ and Mini Books-By-Design™ there are combs to be packaged and boxed with the perforated papers. We needed to devise a method for Ashley to count and package the combs with as much independence as possible. This is what we came up with: two jigs for Ashley to count out 10 and 12 combs respectively for each of the products with a false bottom and a paddle to pull, allowing the combs to fall out through the bottom and into the box.
For now, Ashley counts the combs by filling all the holes in the jig, then removes and places them in a small plastic bag. With the combs so close together she is able to grab up to 5 combs from the jig at a time.
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