Curtain Gripper

Curtain Gripper - open-source assistive technology product by the Milbat community

About this project

Curtain Gripper is a 3D-printed tool that transforms any shower curtain into something that is accessible and easy to grasp onto. It allows for more independent bathroom use for people with limited finger/hand control. This design was made as part of Milbat, IKEA, TOM, and Access Israel's ThisAbles project. To learn more, please visit their website at https://www.milbat.org.il/en/thisables/

The challenge

Independently maintaining personal hygiene is an important part of everyday life, but can also be challenging to many people with a variety of abilities. Curtain Gripper is a ThisAbles project designed to make opening and closing a shower curtain easier for people who have limited finger mobility or range.

ThisAbles is a joint project of Ikea-Israel, Milbat organization and Access Israel organization. In the framework of the project, a team of Milbat product designers and occupational therapists developed a variety of special devices and add-ons that enable people with disabilities to use and enjoy Ikea products.

Who it helps

This design is for people who may lack fine motor skills or live with restricted hand mobility who are looking to expand their independence while using the restroom.

How it works

This product is accessible to the public thanks to TOM's partnership with Poalim for the Community.

People living with limited hand function may have trouble grasping and manipulating thin objects like shower curtains. Opening and closing shower curtains are an important part of everyday person hygiene.

As part of IKEA’s mission to “create a better everyday life for as many people as possible,” Milbat & Access Israel joined forces to develop a new, revolutionary line of products to bridge the gap and enable more people to enjoy IKEA products. The Curtain Gripper is one of these products

A rigid, easily graspable 3D-printed handle that can attach to any shower curtain. Slippery curtains will never be a problem with the Curtain Gripper at your disposal!

Tools Needed:

3D Printer

Bill of Materials:

Please see BOM and printing models in the downloadable product file.

Estimated Time to Make:

3.5 hours of 3D-printing time

<5 minutes of assembly time

Project details

The build files for Curtain Gripper are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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