iPad AAC Sun/Privacy Shade

I am a Support Coordinator in Australia, working alongside people living with disability to coordinate services, supports and assistive technology that enable them to live as independently as possible. One of my clients is a lovely woman in her mid-40s living with Cerebral Palsy. She has a range of impairments as a result of her disability and requires daily support from carers, as well as a range of assistive technology to maximise her independence. Due to the impacts of her disability, her verbal communication is limited and she primarily communicates through text messages, emails, or in person using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Her prescribed communication device is an iPad A16 running Proloquo2Go, which she operates using a purpose-built long-reach adapted capacitive stylus. She types words and phrases into the device, which are then spoken aloud using the app's text-to-speech functionality. This device is critical to her ability to communicate and is used every single day. Due to the specific positioning and reach required for her to independently access her AAC device, the iPad is mounted on a stand attached to the tray table of her powered wheelchair during the day and then relocated to her bedroom, where it is secured to a custom-made over-bed table using Velcro for night-time use. This setup has taken many years of trial, adaptation and refinement to enable her to communicate independently. While it now meets her physical access needs, it presents two significant challenges: 1. Screen glare and sun exposure. When outdoors or in brightly lit environments, glare can make the screen difficult to see, reducing her ability to communicate effectively. There are also concerns about prolonged sun exposure contributing to overheating and potential long-term damage to the display. 2. Privacy. Because the device is mounted in front of her, anyone standing beside or behind her can easily see the screen. As my client requires support workers throughout the day, she rarely has complete privacy when using her device. This means carers, or members of the public while she is out in the community, can unintentionally read her messages, emails, internet searches, AAC conversations and other personal information displayed on the screen. Like anyone else, she deserves the ability to communicate and use her device without feeling that others can see what she is typing or reading. While we identified a commercial product that partially addresses these challenges (the AiShell Parasol Sunshade), it still does not fully meet her needs. Combined with the challenges of sourcing and importing it into Australia, it is not a practical solution. I know my client is not the only AAC user experiencing these challenges, and I believe there is an opportunity to develop a better, more accessible solution. As I own a 3D printer, I saw an opportunity to help develop that solution. I have already drafted concepts and design ideas but lack the CAD skills required to create a printable STL file. My hope is to work with the maker community to develop an open-source STL file that can be freely printed, adapted and improved, making this solution accessible to other AAC users, families, therapists and service providers.