How RAM® Accessibility Mounts Improved Zach’s Communication

 RAM Mounts  2021-10-25  Product Tips and Tricks

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Jeff Daub is VP on the Board of Directors as a volunteer and Gwendy Daub (Deputy Director) works for Bridge of Promise, a non-profit organization that offers community-based day programs for adults with developmental disabilities. They are the proud parents of Zach Daub who is 17 years old and has cerebral palsy. Zach uses a Tobii Dynavox system for communication, but the use of his device was limited because it could only be used when he was at a table, countertop, or when someone next to him was holding the tablet.

This past summer Gwendy reached out to RAM® Mounts for options on how to mount Zach’s device to his wheelchair, along with his E-Pacer, and a mount for the backseat of their car so that he can communicate with them while on the road. We like to say we can “mount anything anywhere”, so we accepted the challenge to improve Zach’s independence by determining which custom mounting components would achieve exactly what they were looking for. We are excited to share what components were used, along with Gwendy and Zach’s feedback on how their mounts have been working for them.

Wheelchair Mount:

The RAM-101U-IP1 is mounted to the steel bar system on Zach’s wheelchair that was originally supporting a larger Tobii Dynavox device. The RAM-HOL-TAB10U supports the dimensions of the Microsoft Surface, and the RAM-HOL-TAB-RISER2U are a modification to the tablet holder to support the Eye Gaze equipment connected to the Surface tablet.

E-Pacer Mount:

When the E-Pacer mount is used, Zach has the socket arm and holder from his wheelchair mount transferred over these components to create the complete system to support his device.

Vehicle Mount

Each RAM-B-408-37-62U is mounted to both headrest posts on the passenger seat. Then each RAM-B-201U is clamped to the ball bases and are then joined together by the RAM-B-217U. The plate on the RAM-B-217U is connected to a second holder to support the Microsoft Surface, (RAM-HOL-TAB10U + RAM-HOL-TAB-RISER2U). Having a second holder for the vehicle made more sense because it is in an exact position that would not be ideal to readjust every time Zach were to get in and out of the vehicle.

How Ram Accessibility Mounts Improved Zachs Communication

We sat with Gwendy and Zach to discuss how these mounts have been working out so far. Here was their feedback:

“We’ve found that as he’s grown older and he’s used his communication device more for communication vs demands, it has been very important to have the device with him everywhere he goes.

“This is very light, very versatile, especially with this type of mounting system. It just slides right in, it’s easy to tighten down, it’s easy to adjust to his eye level as it needs to be, whether it be in his wheelchair or his pacer or in the car. When it’s time to go to school, it’s super easy with just the turn of the knob, to basically slide it out and slide it into the car holder that we have for him. So now he’s gone from being able to talk to me sitting in his wheelchair, to now we’re driving to school and he’s able to tell me what he wants to tell me on the way to school. Picking him up today from school it was around 80 degrees, and I had that in the holder, mounted to the back of the seat for him, and he was able to tell me that he wanted the window rolled down, which he’s never been able to do.

“We often go for walks around the neighborhood, and for him he will be in his pacer when we go for walks around the neighborhood, and we run into neighbors often on our walk, so it’s nice for him to be able to have his device mounted to his E-Pacer, and be able to interact with the neighbors, and not have to have me interpret what he’s saying to them. It has honestly been life changing. He’s had the Tobii since he was five, and at this point in our lives with all the different mounts is the first time he is able to have his device everywhere he goes.

“The mounting pieces for the RAM Mounts, regardless across the board, the arms, the ball sockets, the handle to tighten and loosen it, are all very versatile. They’re very easy to use, very user friendly. They’re not like your typical mounts that you get from a medical equipment provider. I have done a lot of research and have not found anything as easy to use in terms of the arm, and adjusting. It took me maybe three or four times to realize this is just so easy. I’ve had a lot of equipment that we’ve used over the years that has ended up under the bed or in the closet, because it’s just too hard to use. Whether insurance has paid for it or not, if it’s not easy in our lifestyle or not easy to use, we’re not going to use it. So this has been honestly a life changer for us in every aspect.

“And affordable. It’s not like your typical medical equipment. The adaptive mount that we got for the headrest for the back of the car; so affordable. I’ve had it for such a short period of time but have told so many people about it, because it really is something that I feel like these kids should be able to take their devices everywhere they go. They should have their voice everywhere they go. And if it’s not easy for the parents who operate and to move from the car to the chair to a walker to a desk, it’s not going to happen, and then they’re left without a voice, which is not fair.

“Prior to getting the RAM Mounts, he only had access when he was sitting in his wheelchair. Other than that we would have to set it on a table, we’d have to set it on a countertop; it was not safe. Now that he’s able to have it mounted wherever he goes, his independence has just blossomed.”

We wish to extend a sincere Thank You to the Daub family for letting us work with them. To learn more about Bridge of Promise, you can visit them at bridgeofpromise.org. RAM Mounts are known for rugged and reliable mounting solutions that improve businesses and industries across the globe, but when it comes to Accessibility they can also improve people’s lives, which means a lot to us.