One of the many problems the painters face is trying to paint on a canvas which is mounted on an easel designed for an able-bodied person. A combination of their physical disabilities and the sheer bulk of their electric wheelchairs mean that they find it difficult to get close to the canvas. Some of the painters have to use a mouth-stick whilst another cannot hold anything with any weight and consequently uses a feather to paint with. The only solution on many occasions was for the carers to hold the canvas in their hands whilst the painter applied the different media from a brush etc. The ladies who host the painting class approached DEMAND and asked if it would be possible to come up with a solution to their problem. Designers from DEMAND visited and assessed the painter’s needs. They then went away and designed and built an easel which allows the able-bodied assistants to position the canvas in any orientation to the painter. The easel is also designed to fit between the wheels of the painter’s wheelchairs.

Thanks Meredith!