collaborative team develops glifo writing tools for disabled children

collaborative team develops glifo writing tools for disabled children
all images courtesy of sara monacchi

using easily-accessible 3D printing technologies, a multi-person design team has created ‘glifo’, a series of customizable writing utensils that aid children with nervous system related impairments. the project was born in collaboration with TOG (together to go), a milan-based organization that aids and rehabilitates young ones with cognitive, motor, or other disabilities and open dot/ fablab makerspace.

drawing with ‘glifo’

due to disabilities with the nervous system, affected children often have trouble with the minute movements necessary for writing or drawing. this is exacerbated by the natural inclination of hands — in some instances — to be postured less than ideally for such tasks.

‘gee’ handle 

the ‘glifo’ series of tools are optimized to suit kids’ special needs. a set of handles: gee, lee, and eff, as well as the oow tablet — for quickly and easily securing paper to the table — compose the collection. each is made of several parts, all of which can be customized based on the age, personal needs and preferences of its user. ‘glifo’ was designed by elisa castelletta, giovanni dipilato, sara monacchi, andrea pelino, and luca toscano in collaboration with TOG and open dot milano. 

‘lee’ handle 

‘eff’ handle 

3D printed holders  

color variations

‘glifo’ aided drawing 

paper holder to keep pages from shifting 

carry handle 

‘glifo’

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions  feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom