One of our clients with cerebral palsy contacted us telling us that she was pregnant and was wondering if we could help her with some things. The first thing she needed was a crib that would allow her access to putting her child in and out through the front. She spent much of her time on her knees to get around the house scooting on a little platform with wheels. There are accessible cribs on the market but they cost around $1500.00. We were able to get a crib donated by the director of UCAT and modify this crib. For our adaptation of this crib we prevented the front gate from being lowered as designed and added reinforcement to the top portion of the front gate. We also had to lower the mattress.
We then cut the gate in half allowing it to swing open on the left side. The right side was secured.
In order for the crib to latch securely we purchased a
child protective latch that would normally be installed inside a cabinet to keep children out of the cabinet. In our situation we wanted to keep the child inside. We chose this style of latch because the mother did not have good grasp in her hands and could not manipulate small latches or hooks. She was able to pick up the magnet and put it on the latch which would release it allowing her to open the gate and remove her baby from the crib.
We then cut the gate in half allowing it to swing open on the left side. The right side was secured.
In order for the crib to latch securely we purchased a child protective latch that would normally be installed inside a cabinet to keep children out of the cabinet. In our situation we wanted to keep the child inside. We chose this style of latch because the mother did not have good grasp in her hands and could not manipulate small latches or hooks. She was able to pick up the magnet and put it on the latch which would release it allowing her to open the gate and remove her baby from the crib.
