Embedded Files
LTH Improve Our VA
LTH Improve Our VA
LTH is working with Columbus' local Veterans Affairs Ambulatory Care Center (VAACC) to pioneer new programming for military veterans looking to reintegrate into civilian life.
Our first workshop series entitled "Improve Our VA" challenged veterans to use 3D printing and the Design Process to identify and solve problems.
Over the course of 4 weeks, veterans participating in the VAACC Compensated Work Therapy program attended interactive workshops and worked on their own to apply new design and technology know-how to envision, invent, prototype and test solutions to problems they identified.
"I think we can ask our veterans to do a lot more, even with the stuff, the baggage we come with… we’re still capable.” Â
"I think we can ask our veterans to do a lot more, even with the stuff, the baggage we come with… we’re still capable.” Â
— Columbus VAACC Innovation Specialist, Workshop Series Admin
"You are unlocking doors. You’re taking out barriers. You’re giving them self-worth. You’re giving them a sense of integrity. You’re giving them... self-confidence.” Â
"You are unlocking doors. You’re taking out barriers. You’re giving them self-worth. You’re giving them a sense of integrity. You’re giving them... self-confidence.” Â
— Columbus VAACC CWT Admin, Workshop Series Admin
Program Topics & Schedule
Program Topics & Schedule
The VAACC came to Local Tech Heroes with a request to build a program around their recently acquired 3D Printer.
We, being familiar with organizations looking for reasons to put their 3D Printers to good use, developed programming that would not only integrate 3D Printing, but several other commonly used emerging technologies.
By also integrating Design Process elements into our program, we were able to frame technology education within a creative and constructive framework.
Cord Management Concept
Cord Management Concept
One student identified how poorly electrical cords were currently managed on a VAACC appliance.
He sketched several ideas for improving the situation, then used low-fidelity prototyping to build and test three of his ideas. The prototyping allowed him to further refine his concept, working with student volunteers to build his idea using 3D modeling software.
He then used a 3D slicing software to optimize his design for 3D printing.
3D Printer Tool Cover Concept
3D Printer Tool Cover Concept
Another student identified the potential hazard a sharp tool (used for removing 3D printed parts from the printer bed) might present to users.
She sketched and then prototyped her main idea for solving the problem using cardboard, foam and duct tape!
A student volunteer with 3D modeling experience helped her model and customize her final prototype for 3D printing. The VAACC will continue to use her solution in practice!
Bathroom Caddy Concept
Bathroom Caddy Concept
One student empathized with his daughter's difficulty in organizing and carrying her toiletries in the bathroom at home. This inspired him to sketch, prototype and test several ideas to meet his daughter's needs.
His final design direction, 3D modeled with help from a student volunteer, was 3D printed and successfully tested with his daughter, who now has an effective way to store AND transport her toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. The bathroom caddy hangs at a lower, more easily accessible height at home.
See below to glimpse how veterans were able to integrate what they learned about Design Process and Technologies into their prototypes.
See below to glimpse how veterans were able to integrate what they learned about Design Process and Technologies into their prototypes.
Program Response
Program Response
As part of a 2019 study conducted by a graduate student at The Ohio State University, participants in the initial Local Tech Heroes Improve Our VA program were interviewed about their experiences in the program.
Analysis of these interviews offered insight into how military veteran participants, both students and administrators, felt about topics related to the program. Veterans chose to speak about their own experience and the future of the program, and most of their comments were positive.
Program Future
Program Future
LTH and the Columbus VAACC are actively working toward more programming for 2019! One hope is to setup an internal Improve Our VA team of military veterans who can engage members and visitors at the Columbus VAACC to identify problems, then prototype, test and ultimately create 3D printed solutions!
We need funding for this to happen! And once it does happen, we'll need a whole bunch of volunteers to fill roles to help mentor, aid and empower our veterans.
See our Be Involved page for details, or contact us directly if you would like to contribute.
Thanks to our Supporters!
Thanks to our Supporters!
Local Tech Heroes could not have piloted the Improve Our VA program without generous support!
Although LTH uses charitable contributions across many programs, we would like to thank g2o (formerly Information Control Company) and Aspen Capital for their additional support in providing the technology for this program.
Additionally, a special thanks goes to several industrial design students from Ohio State University's Department of Design for volunteering their prototyping and 3D modeling expertise. The same thanks goes to local designer Todd Perkins.
Report abuse