This Phase I SBIR proposal outlines activities directed towards the development of a product to facilitate visual arts education for students with manipulation disabilities. The proposed concept will be comprised of a painting tool manipulator that may be operated either through a special harness attached to the head, foot, or hands, or, alternatively, with a conventional joystick. In cooperation with a Review Panel comprised of artists with disabilities, arts access instructors, and an occupational therapist, a prototype Introductory Model will be defined, designed, manufactured, and evaluated in terms of its ability to facilitate creation of simple figures and original works of art.Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications:The objective of this project is to provide access to visual arts for children and adults with disabilities in the spirit of the national education standards and educational practice. The resulting device will be suitable for the creation of visual arts in both mainstream and special services classrooms, for recreational use in therapeutic settings, and for use by the hobbyist with a disability.
