Make an iPad Stand in Under 3 Minutes!

A low-tech recipe from Assistive Technology in New Hampshire's Therese Willkomm, Ph.D.

Therese Willkomm--oft-referred to as the "MacGyver of AT"--has done it again. Proving that high-tech gizmos are often improved with low-tech solutions, she has created an adjustable, durable, portable, low-cost iPad stand that--unlike a lot of expensive commercial alternatives--works for individuals who experience various disabilities.

Dr. Willkomm's iPad stand: the iLean

The stand weighs almost nothing, incorporates a non-skid bottom to prevent sliding around, and collapses flat to easily fit into a student's backpack or book bag. Step-by-step instructions are available at this AT in NH Web page PDF, and Dr. Willkomm demonstrates construction on You Tube (below).

Tools and Materials Needed:

• Two 8"X12" pieces of corrugated plastic board (Stratocore is one trade name) that have been cut so that the grain of the corrugated board runs the long way. Note: this is very important since this project will require you to score against the grain in order to obtain a rigid hinge.
• Two 6" pieces of 3/4" hook Velcro
• One 6" piece of 3/4" loop Velcro
• One 4" piece of Corner Guard (plastic corner wall protector)
• 8" of clear 1/2" double-sided, clear, VHB Tape (stands for "very high bond")
• 4" of 1/2" clear VHB Tape
• Scissors
• Utility knife

Options for construction include the use of Velcro One-Wrap to attach the stand to your thigh;

iPad stand attached to a thigh with Velcro One-Wrap

also an Incase Magazine Jacket Cover to more firmly secure the device to the stand's adjustable support.

iPad attached to stand with the elastic of an Incase Magazine Jacket Cover

The stand is one of 50 ways to adapt the iPad that Dr. Willkomm lays out in one chapter of her upcoming book: Beyond Duct Tape and Velcro--Creating Assitive Technology Solutions in Minutes--Part II  (due out this December). Dr. Willkomm's first book, Make a Difference Today--Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes is currently available from RESNA and contains 618 pictures for creating hundreds of solutions using everyday tools and materials. Both books address the challenge of coming up with solutions quickly and affordably for person who experience physical, sensory or cognitive impairments.

Thanks to Dr. Willkomm for this great back-to-school contribution!