32+ Clever Assistive Tech Hacks Using $5 Cabinet Bumpers And Anti-Slip Pads
Learn 30+ simple, non-permanent, and versatile adaptations for daily living and environmental accessibility using cabinet bumpers and anti-slip pads. This multi-use, inexpensive type of low-tech assistive technology can be used in a variety of ways to make your home more accessible for those living with a disability.
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Cabinet Bumpers As Assistive Technology
Cabinet bumpers are a simple everyday, low-tech assistive technology adaptive solution to help make home environments more accessible. Today we will discuss the benefits along with 30+ ideas for accessible solutions all using inexpensive cabinet bumpers and anti-non slip pads.
DIY Assistive Tech Toolbox
Check out this tutorial for how to create your own DIY assistive tech toolbox. This toolbox includes 30+ essential materials for making your own adaptive aids. Along with cabinet bumpers, this tutorial lists simple everyday materials that you can use around the home to create accessible solutions and make your own adaptive aids.
Looking For More Adaptive Solutions?
But don’t have the time for DIY? Check out my favorite assistive technology solutions from the therapy-based company, The Wright Stuff. Click the link below to see the full list-
Benefits Of Using Cabinet Bumpers As Assistive Tech
- Tactile marker
- Visual cue
- Non-slip surface
- Inexpensive assistive tech
- Enhances leverage
- Ergonomic
- Enhances friction
- Improves cushioning
- Orientation to button placement
- Enhances sensory perception
- Protective barriers on walls, cabinets and furniture
Cabinet Bumpers Can Enhance Accessibility For Those Who Experience:
- Low vision
- Astereognosis (inability to identify items using only the sense of touch)
- Sensory perception differences
- Hypo-sensitivity (limited registration) of tactile sensory input
- Differences in fine motor dexterity and range of motion
- Difficulties with grip
- Fine motor weakness
- Finger pain associated with arthritis or an injury
- Limited finger sensation
- Button or location orientation
DIY Considerations And Precautions
Using cabinet bumpers around the home can improve accessibility and increase ease of use. Before getting started consider the following: The type of cabinet bumper that best fits your needs as well as safety precautions.
Considerations
There are several different types of cabinet bumpers. Choose one or a variety bumpers that best fit your personal and accessibility needs. All cabinet bumpers listed have self-adhesive. Bumpers and anti-slip pads can be found at your local hardware store.
- Clear round cabinet bumpers (smooth, clear): Use when no visual contrast is needed. Provides a good cushion and anti-slip gripping surface along with noise reduction qualities.
- Black round plastic cabinet bumpers (textured, black): Use this type of bumper when you need more contrast when locating the bumper such as when locating a specific item. These bumpers provide limited noise protection as compared to the clear rubber bumpers listed above.
- Black round felt bumpers (fabric textured, brown): These bumpers have a textured surface with limited noise reduction compared to the clear rubber bumpers.
- Scotch Protective Dots Assorted Cabinet Bumpers (various sizes and colors) These come in green felt protectors, cork-style bumpers, as well as gray foam bumpers. Depending on the type included in the variety pack may help with contrast and noise protection as well as anti-slip qualities.
- Round Cork Cabinet Bumpers (medium brown): Adds contrast depending where it is placed. Limits noise but the clear round cabinet bumpers listed above provides more noise reduction capabilities. Provides significant enhanced texture.
- Scotch Anti-Slip Pads (brown textures pads) These anti-slip pads are great as they can be cut to size, are textured, and a medium brown color.
Precaution: Choking Hazard
Cabinet bumpers are a choking hazard for anyone under the age of 3 years and for anyone who chews on non-edible items. Please use caution. All cabinet bumpers should be securely attached and replaced as needed.
DIY Hacks: Cabinet Bumpers Adaptive Applications For Enhanced Sensory Perception
Cabinet bumpers help improve sensory perception including enhancing tactile sensory input by adding physical texture to various surfaces and buttons.
Adaptative Applications For Buttons and Controls Around The Home
- Add bumpers to a remote control for the television or other remote controlled electronic devices. For example, add bumpers to the on/off button, and other frequently used buttons such as the volume and channel buttons.
- Place on keyboard keys as a tactile cue for hand/finger placement such as the number 5 or letters J and F for enhanced number/letter orientation on a keyboard.
- Add to the microwave and other kitchen appliance buttons such as the start/stop buttons and number 5 or number orientation.
- Cordless home phone buttons
- Home alarm buttons
- Add to video game controllers
Adaptive Applications Patterns And Tactile Guides
Create Simple Patterns + Tactile Guides
- Add bumpers, or cut bumpers, to credit cards, library cards, etc., to help the user locate a specific card in their wallet. (see picture above
- Add to drawers, shelves, cabinets, or closets to help locate specific items
- Place different types of bumpers such as felt and cork pads on similar items such as different shades of lipsticks.
- For specific items located on a shelf or in a drawer, add simple patterns or various bumper textures to create several tactile item locations. Add pieces, various textures, and/or patterns on file folders to help users easily identify a specific folder.
- Bumpers can also be used as place holders on file folders so that each section has a different color or texture.
Adaptive Application: Locating Objects
Use various types, sizes, and patterns of bumpers on objects to help those with vision impairments to locate and identify objects within the environment.
- Place on specific drawers and cabinets
- Use on a shelf to help identify specific locations of certain objects like a favorite cup or foods
- Use on a cup with an adaptive straw holder to help identify the straw placement
- Place on a medicine bottle to help identify specific bottle(s)
- Add to kitchen utensils
*Bumpers can also be used to keep items in a drawers in place and keep items from sliding inside the drawer.
DIY Hacks: Cabinet Bumpers Adaptive Applications For Grip And Stability
Use cabinet bumpers as a way to increase friction creating a non-slip/anti-slip surface for various objects.
Adaptive Application: Non-Slip
- Add to the bottom of an Apple iWatch magnetic charger to keep it from slipping to the floor when not in use.
- Bumpers can also be added to the bottoms of fruit bowls, kitchen utensil crock, etc.
- Strategically place on the bottoms of water bottles to keep from sliding (and banging counter tops as well)
Adaptive Application: Enhancing Grip And Leverage on Tools And Devices
- Add to the lever on spray bottle to enhance the stability of your grip when using a spray bottle
- Add to the sides of a phone case to enhance grip stability
- Use on the sides and bottoms of remote controls
- Use on the handles of tools to enhance your grasp
- Place on a toothbrush to add enhanced grip and stability while brushing
- Add to buttons on remote controls and difficult buttons on appliances to improve leverage
- Add bumpers to tool handles for a more enhanced and comfortable grip
- Place on personal care items such as deodorant to enhance grip and leverage.
DIY Hack: Cabinet Bumpers Adaptive Applications For Noise Protection And Cushioning
Use the shock absorbing quality of bumper pads to help protect walls and furniture as well as by adding a cushion for softer impact and reduced noise.
Adaptive Application: Protecting Furniture And Walls
- Place bumpers on items such as commodes, drawers, the sides of walkers, and trays to prevent wall damage
Adaptive Application: Auditory Sensory Sensitivities
- Add to cabinet doors and drawers to help lessen the auditory impact when closing
- Cabinet bumpers can also be added toy chests, closet doors, and room doors
- Place on the bottom feet of chairs, benches, or foot stools to alleviate any scratching or screeching noise when moving chairs
- Place on the bottoms of water bottle to alleviate the clanking when placing a water bottle on a countertop.
Key Takeaways
Cabinet bumpers offer an inexpensive way to make adaptive solutions around the home. Use cabinet bumpers to provide a non-slip gripping surface, a tactile or visual cue, and enhance gripping. This quick and simple type of low-tech assistive technology is a great way to provide a variety of adaptations around the home.
Interested in making your own assistive technology DIY toolbox? Check out my tutorial for a full list of 30+ essential materials for assistive tech solutions around the home.
READY TO SHOP?
Check out my list of favorite adaptive solutions. Click the button below-
Resources
- Looking for more ways to personalize grips and push-button modifications? Check fellow OT blogger, Equipt2Adapt, for how to use moldable materials, including Thermoplastic beads and Sugru, to make personalized gripping and push-button surfaces.
- The blog Veroniiiica With Four Eyes shares lots of ideas for low vision adaptions.