Challenges using a cup
I'm a medical engineering student working towards designing a customisable cup for individuals with cerebral palsy. In particularly, the aim is to design the cup so it is useful for those with limited grip strength and dexterity. The cup is primarily designed for use at home and in private settings, but is intended to be more discrete than other assistive drinking devices on the market. I'm trying to make sure the cup would actually meet real needs and would really appreciate any input from those in the community. My questions are:
1. What do you find the most challenging about using standard drinking cups (i.e. not assistive drinking devices)?
2. Are you able to use standard drinking cups or do you rely on assistive drinking devices?
3. Are you completely satisfied with the appearance of assistive drinking devices on the market (e.g. how discrete or attractive they look)? What dont you like about the way they look?
4. Do you prefer to have a handle on whatever vessel youre drinking from?
5. Do you find it necessary to have a fully enclosed lid on any vessel youre drinking from?
6. Is the weight of cups and the liquid inside an issue for you when lifting a cup to drink from it?
7. Do you have any other comments about assistive drinking devices you would like to see available for purchase?
@medengineering
Oh awesome ideas! I hope you get some replies!
@Vivelespatates
@medengineering
I will answer this on behalf of my dad who has drinking challenges.
1. What do you find the most challenging about using standard drinking cups (i.e. not assistive drinking devices)?
Grip, it is hard to keep gripping so the cup slips, then sometimes the angle to drink can be very hard.
2. Are you able to use standard drinking cups or do you rely on assistive drinking devices?
No , I use a cup with two handles a sealed top and a spout
3. Are you completely satisfied with the appearance of assistive drinking devices on the market (e.g. how discrete or attractive they look)? What dont you like about the way they look?
They look like a childs cup and I hate that they are plastic!
4. Do you prefer to have a handle on whatever vessel youre drinking from?
I need two handles
5. Do you find it necessary to have a fully enclosed lid on any vessel youre drinking from?
Yes I tend to spill a lot otherwise when my hand shakes
6. Is the weight of cups and the liquid inside an issue for you when lifting a cup to drink from it?
Yes, good point so my carers only fill it about half way for me
7. Do you have any other comments about assistive drinking devices you would like to see available for purchase?
it would be nice to have a china version that looked like something special not a kids cup.
Thanks for caring about this, Good Luck!
@AffyAvo as they may be able to suggest more
