Hannah is an occupational therapist at a pediatric clinic in Collingwood, Ontario. She’s also a Clubs That Care (new window) youth leader, making assistive devices for the clinic and her community.

As a Master’s student at Queen’s University, Hannah had first learned about Neil Squire’s Makers Making Change (new window) program in one of her classes, where occupational therapy students worked with engineering students to create an assistive technology solution for a community member. The idea of makeable, affordable assistive technology stuck with her, and when she moved to Wasaga Beach for work after graduating, she decided to bring Makers Making Change to her new community by becoming a Clubs That Care leader.

“It’s a small community, I just thought that the more resources that I could bring up here, the better,” she explains.

With the Clubs That Care micro-grant, she has purchased a 3D printer and she has been enjoying learning how to use it, working with a local volunteer to print low-tech assistive devices. She has already donated some of the devices to a fellow occupational therapist and speech language pathologist at the clinic.

“It’s been really enjoyable so far,” she shares. “I feel like it’s been just ongoing learning, which is fantastic and something I’m always looking for, but I also already see the immediate benefit and impact to the community.”

Hannah’s growing 3D printing and making skills complement her work as an occupational therapist, understanding how to assess needs and how assistive devices can help children with disabilities. She also sees the impact that providing affordable assistive technology can have.

“With the profession I’m in, I really see how finances are a barrier to services as well as equipment. And even when kids have a diagnosis, they could be waiting years and years and years to get the financial resources that they need to just get the equipment for sensory regulation and for being able to access, participate, and engage in school tasks” she says. “Being able to hopefully be that kind of support for them is huge.”

Throughout the process, she has felt well-supported by the Makers Making Change team, helping her get established as a Clubs That Care youth leader.

“It’s been a really positive experience,” Hannah shares. “And I feel like every step of the way, they’re just looking on how to open doors for me and how to make this process easier for me.”

Hannah has big plans as a Clubs That Care leader. She sees a need in the local schools for assistive technology, and has applied to become a vendor for her local school district to provide devices for students in need. She is also looking forward to hosting accessible build events to engage volunteers, and plans on adapting toys for kids at the clinic.

“I just kind of see it growing and growing.”

This post originally appeared on the Makers Making Change (new window) website.