Cerebral Palsy Life Hacks-Volume 4
Disability Friendly Tech
When I set out to do a series of blog posts on hacks to make life with cerebral palsy easier, I felt like it was a necessity to include this post. Let’s face it, we are living in the height of the digital age, and it’s harder to find someone who doesn’t own a smartphone than to find someone who does. In fact, some may argue that using a smartphone is a need more than the convenience that it used to be. Unfortunately, smartphones are small, expensive, and breakable, which doesn’t make them the most disability friendly piece of technology on the market. That’s why today’s blog post is focused on everyday products that can help make your smartphone a little more disability friendly.
First up is the trusty and well known Popsocket. Popsockets are small collapsible circles that stick to the back of your phone case. Older models stick on using an adhesive, but if you are buying one brand new, they now have magnetic options that allow you to take it on and off as needed! I started out as a Popsocket skeptic. I didn’t think I would ever get one because I was afraid that they were bulky, would snag when I put my phone in my pocket, and would just get in the way. Boy, was I wrong! Now that I have one, I will never go back to not using one! They are pretty thin when collapsed, and can be collapsed with one finger, the palm of your hand, or your fist, making them easy to collapse with limited dexterity. You also can pop them back out with one finger. The biggest benefit to the Popsocket for me is the confidence that it gives me when handling my phone with my non dominant, CP affected hand. I can hold it by the popsocket instead of trying to grip the entire phone, which lessens the likelihood of me dropping it. An added bonus is that it works as a stand to prop your phone up when watching videos, which I like to utilize when I travel and am watching movies on the plane!
Next up is a newer product that is slowly becoming more and more popular with the release of each new smartphone…wireless charging! I absolutely love how easy this makes charging and using your phone. No more rummaging around under the bed for a charging cord, or trying to fit the cord into the super tiny slot on the bottom of your phone (that keeps getting smaller with each new smartphone released). Wireless charging allows you to set your phone down on the charger, and that’s it! You’re good to go! There are several different options for wireless chargers, depending on your preference and your needs. The one that I have experience with is the kind that you lay your phone flat on the charger. I love this style because it still allows you to use your phone easily while it’s charging. The only drawback to this style is that it doesn’t work if you have a popsocket that is stuck to your phone with adhesive (which is why I love that the newer popsockets are magnetic, because it allows you to take them off and use this style of charger). A second option for a wireless charger are ones that look more like a stand for your phone. These ones function the same way, in the sense that you can set your phone on it and it will immediately start charging, but they keep your phone propped up. There are also chargers on the market that have additional spots to charge an Apple Watch on the same charger.
I hope that these couple of gadgets has helped make your phone at least a little bit more user friendly for those of us who may struggle with the fine motor struggles that can come with using modern technology! I know that there are a lot of adaptive products on the market, but I also know that those products can be expensive! Hopefully these products, which are a little more basic, but also cheaper and easy to find online, will help make life in the digital age a little bit easier without breaking the bank!
