In The Business Of Solutions: The IMAGE Center Of Maryland

By Sheilah Kast,

Published November 16, 2020 at 10:09 AM EST

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First prototype featuring a blue bicycle grip, push button joint, PVC pipes, and other 3D printed materials. Feedback from Rhonda was the tool needed more stability in the grabbing mechanism for the items and needed to be lighter weight.

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Prototype 2 featuring a blue cork tennis racket grip along bottom ABS plastic rod, PVC elbow to take apart the two rods, button slider, and four-fingered grabbing mechanism. The ABS pipes were lighter and easier for Rhonda to hold.

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Final product featuring blue cork tennis racket grip, velcro secure wrap to hold grabbing mechanism in place, wider black handle to move the grabbing mechanism, and other 3D printed parts.

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Rhonda Taylor using the final tool design at last site visit.

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Modified carrying case for tool using a flute instrument case.

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(From left) Rebekah Kempske, Shannon Clancy, and Juliet Schick pictured with Rhonda Taylor during the final site visit and delivery of her self-care tool.

Rhonda Taylor during a site visit with the engineering team testing first prototype.

Have you ever faced a problem that seems insurmountable, only to have someone come along, view it from a different perspective and find a solution? That is the business model for the IMAGE Center of Maryland. Executive director Michael Bullis explains how the non-profit connects people with disabilities to solutions to help regain independence in their lives.

Plus, we talk with Rhonda Taylor and Shannon Clancy to learn about Volunteers for Medical Engineering -- one-off devices that are tailored to a client’s needs.