On November 2019, Cadshine Foundation had the opportunity to hold a line of workshops introducing CAD

and 3D printing to a group of individuals who have cognitive challenges. This project aligns with Cadshine's

Innovation Impact Pillar #1 “Social Equity” and Pillar #3 "STEAM Education".

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Statement of Need

Cadshine believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience and make use of new technology that is increasingly becoming available to this world. We believe in hidden potential amongst all human beings and everyone deserves the right to take advantage of this. Our research has led to an untapped and very limited exploration of CAD and 3D Printing that creates accessibility amongst individuals who are cognitively challenged. We aim to increase job prospects through their creativity and passion, in order to instil the inclusiveness of people with disabilities in the tech industry. ​

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Cadshine’s Project

Cadshine Foundation has partnered with Portal Inc. of Grafton, Wisconsin to instruct a series of workshops on CAD and 3D Printing. Over a span of 5 weeks we are going to work with a group of amazingly talented individuals who have cognitive challenges. Cadshine has designed lesson plans catering to the needs of these individuals, in order to create a personalised workshop that help all of them to their own unique strengths. The workshops consists of familiarising the participants with basic geometry eventually preceding on to printing out their own models that they have designed through CAD development. The workshop ventures into unexplored domains for these participants that will engage them in a world of possibilities. We are going to use a 3D Printer to develop their designs into models. This is important, as they are introduced to the probability of creating something personalised that is of use to them which ensures accessibility of their needs.

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Technology Used

Cadshine has taken advantage of a free online 3D modelling program named Tinkercad, that can be run on any web browser. Tinkercad is easily accessible and has an uncomplicated user interface making the software available for an entry level understanding of solid geometry and additive printing. Due to this we are able to skilfully teach and instruct the utilization of the functions the software has to offer.  The participants  are showing  amazing potential through their creations.  They are able to navigate easily through the platform to replicate the models they created using the building blocks.

These activities will further lead on to the participants being able view their creations as a 3D Printed model. We are going to produce their models using the 3D Printer Lulzbot Mini, and they will also have the chance to observe the application of the machine. We believe this will open up another area of potential and will definitely be able to create prospects in the future for our participants.