News

Enniskeane students are giving a handy help to wheelchair users

April 16th, 2019 8:22 AM

By Kieran O'Mahony

The ‘handy helper' is on sale at a number of locations.

Share this article

Enterprising students from St Mary's National School in Enniskeane have come up and developed  a product, called ‘Handy Helper' which is aimed at helping wheelchair users to open doors.

ENTERPRISING students from St Mary’s National School in Enniskeane have come up and developed  a product, called ‘Handy Helper’ which is aimed at helping wheelchair users to open doors.

Led by their teacher Aideen Caulfield, the pupils are participating in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme, which is a Dragons Den style programme for 5th and 6th classes across Ireland.

Speaking to The Southern Star,  Aideen said their product is now on sale locally and comes at two different lengths to cater for varying arm lengths.

‘Adrian Collins, a 5th class student, first came up with this idea when he was visiting his grandmother in a nursing home and he noticed the struggle that wheelchair users were having opening doors there,’ said Aideen.

‘The ‘Handy Helper’ is a device that aims to help wheelchair users to open doors without leaning out of their chair. It’s a simple but effective product that we hope will make life easier for wheelchair, scooter, walking frame and buggy users,’ she added.

The students have even made a video to demonstrate how to use their product.

The ‘Handy Helper’ is currently on sale in O’Riordan’s Pharmacy in Enniskeane, Scannell’s Pharmacy in Ballineen, Enniskeane Post Office and St Mary’s National School, Enniskeane. Prices are €20 for a large one and €15 for a small one.

Share this article