by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Autism in the Work Place

  AUTISM IN THE WORK PLACE:   In our last blog, we covered what and how autism operates in a person.  Now I would like to discuss what autism is like in the workplace. Autism in the workplace is a very complicated, delicate thing. Many autistic workers feel awkward and unwanted due to the perception […]

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Autism: What is it?

Autism The mission of Disability Work Tools (DWT) is to make adaptive tools readily available so people can independently perform hands-on tasks in spite of injury, aging or disabling condition. We motivate active people to be productive by using tools that improve efficiency and minimize physical pain. We challenge people to use foresight, selecting the […]

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Summer Heat and Disabling Conditions

Summer Heat and Disabling Conditions   Imagine this scenario:  You are a farmer with high blood pressure (but on medications) who is baling hay on a hot summer day, driving a tractor without shade.  It isn’t excessively hot, maybe only 80 F, so you feel as if there really isn’t any concern about overheating.  After […]

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Gardening with Endurance Disabilities

Humans were created with the innate desire to create and be industrious.  Whether it be at a place of employment, a building or improvement project, producing food, or a hobby, we are at our best and our happiest when we are engaged in these activities.  Obviously, in a perfect world we would be happiest at […]

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Disabled?  Life?  What’s it all Mean?

The Meaning of Life as A Disabled Person. Many of us think about the meaning of life.   What is it?  Is it to simply exist? To have a relationship with others? To work? To reproduce? To seek pleasure?  Entire libraries and literally millions of pages have been written about the meaning of life.  Philosophers from […]

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Connective Skin Disorders and Working

Connective tissue and skin disease disabilities   There are many skin and connective tissue diseases which are considered disabilities. Severe dermatitis Bullous disease Hidradenitis suppurativa Mucous membrane infections Chronic skin infections Photosensitivity disorders Ichthyosis Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Rheumatoid arthritis Scleroderma Granlomatosis with Polyangiitis Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Polymyositis/dermatomysositis And many others.   These diseases have many causes, […]

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Great Lakes Fishing Assistive Technology Part 2

    In part 2 of our blog, we will focus on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).  As with many jobs, (CTS) can be a common risk factor.  The fishing industry is no different. Many fishermen struggle with a variety of musculoskeletal problems ranging from lower back to shoulders, knees, and hands.  Repeated throwing and pulling […]

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Great Lakes Fishing Assistive Technology

    I’ve taken a look at three Fish Tug-Style boats on the Great Lakes and have spoken with the fishermen in depth about their jobs. I also observed demonstrations and helped with the work. As a result, I recommend these general assistive technology ideas.  This would work for fishermen suffering from arthritis, or other […]

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Pumpkin Lifter Assistive Technology

You say it is difficult to balance while lifting pumpkins from the ground to waist level? The pumpkin/squash lifter helps people who cannot bend down to pick up melons, squash, and other bulky items from the ground. It is built with conduit and pitchfork tines. It is a piece of ¾-inch metal conduit 36-inches long […]

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by Ned Stoller Ned Stoller

Powerlift Tractor Step Assistive Technology

A powerlift step uses a 12V electric linear actuator to raise a worker to a utility tractor operator’s station without climbing. The steps up to the operator’s stations are steep and tall. Workers often cannot safely climb and lift themselves with one leg, especially when they have knee surgery. They can use a powerlift step […]

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