Dysgraphia and numerical dyslexia (dyscalculia) are disabilities that reside in the motor skills one needs to write. This especially impacts school-aged children that need to use these skills almost every day. Dysgraphia resides in one’s ability to write, while numerical dyslexia is a math-related disability with a wider range of impact, though motor skills are affected.
The Sri Sai Ram Engineering College SB worked with the organization Forever for All (FFA) to create a robotic arm that will assist children with these disabilities in writing. The ARM, or Artificial Robotic Material, will cover only the wrist, with five adjustable rings for the fingers. It will connect via Bluetooth to an app that specially trained aids will use to help the children. This gadget is meant to assist in the therapies used to treat dysgraphia and numerical dyslexia.
The ARMS are easy to maintain, making them great gadgets for continued use by several children as time moves on. The gadget is expected to remain effective for upwards of five years.
As part of the Access and Abilities Competition, EPICS in IEEE provided a grant of $1,160 to complete this project.