Product Review
Desktop Desk Makes Tasks Easier
By Patricio Figueroa Jr.
Several years ago, a student placed in Rob Mayben's
special education math woodshop was unable to actively and independently
participate in the class. Since that time, Mayben, of Sonora, Calif., developed
an assistive device that helped that student, and others, become more
independent at home, school, work and even during family outings. 
The Desktop Desk has an easy-to-clean work or eating
surface that attaches to most any kind of table, from dining room to picnic. It
creates a large, stable, functional writing surface that adjusts in elevation
and angle while providing opportunities for categorization, organization and
independence. The Desktop Desk allows disabled individuals to participate in
such everyday activities as writing, playing board or card games, drawing and
painting.
The desk can benefit individuals with disabilities on many
different levels. It provides individuals with hyperactive and autistic
tendencies the means to focus and participate, while also providing severely
disabled students who can't speak, have limited motor skills, and require a
full-time adult aide the ability to independently participate in classes and
activities to the best of their abilities. For example, it can help students
who have lab courses by affording them their own work area at the height and
angle they need.
Mayben was referred to Independence Today to see
if he could garner more attention for his product. At first we were skeptical
because as a rule we do not take would-be advertisers' money if we feel we
cannot help them reach their intended market. Mayben, however, was very
persuasive, and he insisted that we try the Desktop Desk (which comes with a
vinyl shoulder carrying case that holds all its components).
The device is portable and sets up quickly. Though not
exceptionally heavy, the polyurethane product was not light enough for me to
place it atop my drawing table without help. Ever since I had surgery for
carpal tunnel syndrome, I have been losing the fine dexterity and motor control
in the fingers of my right (dominant) hand. After the item was on top of my
table, I easily unfolded the brackets and then tightened them in place. I
adjusted the height and angle, moved closer to the table surface, and began
practicing my signature. Shortly, I realized that the flair was back in my
signature. So I got out a drawing pad and, to my surprise, realized that I had
better control than drawing on a flat, horizontal surface.
Simply, the Desktop Desk eliminates the need for propping
up a work desk, dining table or other surface on 2x4 planks or red bricks. The
improved angle and the ability to get closer to the writing surface provided by
Mayben's product made a real difference in improved hand control.
I would recommend it for the home, office or school. Not
all new inventions require microcomputing; some are just common-sense
appliances. Get one; you won't be disappointed.
(View a video at:
http://www.desktopdesk.com/video/intro_video.swf
.) |
