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The lowest-tech approach I can think of would be a braille + visible display version of a simple "engaged/vacant" slider operated by the lock, comparable to those on public toilets. Come to think of it, haven't I seen these in some public toilets? Even simpler - a lock. If you try the door and it is locked, that means it is engaged. If it opens, that means it is vacant. Unless some of Donna's day centre users forget to use the lock, perhaps due to learning disability or dementia. Is this why we were searching for an automated solution rather than one operated by the user? Melanie Rimmer On 04/01/2013 03:24, James Dean wrote: > Happy New Year from Australia! > Donna, if the tactile marker system worked well then I'd be trying to > implement an automatic version of that system and place it in the same > position as the current markers. I like the idea of the clients > continuing to use a system that is dignified and does not actively > broadcast "disability!" > A high tech approach would be to use a Braille "display" unit that > could change from showing "vacant" to "busy" when the toilet door is > locked. Another approach would be to have a simple electro/mechanical > device made up that reveals one of the two messages as needed. This > could be a motorised shutter or a stepper motor that rotates 180 > degrees each time to reveal an alternating half of a disk showing the > relevant message. > Feel free to contact me directly if you'd like us to quote to > design/make such a system! > Cheers, > James Dean > > ([log in to unmask]) > > Technical Solutions Australia P/L > 109 Ferndale Road, Silvan Vic 3795 > Australia > Ph 61 3 9737 9000 > Fax 61 3 9737 9111 > www.tecsol.com.au > -----Original Message----- > *From:* A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals. > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On Behalf Of *Donna Corrigan > *Sent:* Thursday, 3 January 2013 11:46 PM > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* Technology solution required > > Dear All, happy New Year. > > There is a very specific problem that I am trying to assist my > colleagues find a solution to and wondered if there was anyone out > there who could point me in the right direction? > > One of our day centres is due to be refurbished shortly and it > caters for adults with a wide range of disabilities that always > includes some level of visual and hearing impairment. In previous > years when the centre was not as busy as it is now people would > alert others that the toilet was in use by changing a simple > tactile marker on the door of the toilet. On approaching the door > and feeling the marker others would know the toilet was in use. As > the centre has become much busier the system is no longer successful. > > I was hoping to find a system that uses a motion or body heat room > sensor that can be linked up to a vibrating pad. The pad could > then be attached to the door so that when a person is detected in > the room an automatic message is sent to activate the vibrating > pad on the door and thus will alert others that the room is engaged. > > I have not been able to locate anything the same or even similar > to this so far and have spoken with several of the telecare > companies that Peter mentioned in his email in December. Does > anyone know if such a system either exists or is possible to > create and if so who could do this, or if there is an alternative? > > Many thanks in advance for any suggestions that you may have. > > Kind regards, > > Donna Corrigan > > Technology Co-ordinator > > Sense, 101 Pentonville Road, London N1 9LG > > Mobile 07557650513 >