Welcome to

Expanding Accessibility, One Individual at a Time Page

The mission is to expand accessibility, collaborate with like-minded innovators, and grow open-source resources for special needs technology. Whether you're a potential collaborator, someone seeking support, or just curious, stop by to learn, connect, and explore how we can build solutions together!

T-Rex Successful, Slightly Famous, Autistic Adult 

About the Project

This initiative began with the creation of an assistive device for a special needs girl I met in Thailand. Drawing from my experience building assistive speech boards in college—along with years of work in electronic and software engineering, I designed this project to be adaptable and reusable for various applications, whether for special needs or other innovative uses.

We are building an open-source ecosystem with the vision of making these devices easily accessible worldwide. Imagine being able to order PCBs, 3D print cases, assemble components, and configure the system with simple steps, no matter where you are. Most importantly, these devices are meant to be freely given, not sold, to those who need them most. I’m not in this for profit, nor do I want to navigate the liability of selling them commercially.

The first device has an estimated material cost of just over $100 USD. By developing open-source special needs devices, we aim to create foundational building blocks that make customized solutions easier to develop and share.

We will be exhibiting and demonstrating the engineering test version of this devices as well as some of the modules and expansions we are working on at
Open Sauce JULY 18 -20, 2025

Project Links & Media

GitHub Repository: NeedsBoard YouTube Channel: @ecobra1026

Board focusing on making associations and enabling basic needs communication for special needs
Combination of hardware and software with design philosophy of modularity and customizing for specific special needs individuals
Documentation is currently in Google Docs as well as  github
Overview - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FtjajSgtu2WbJUqU2vmGtjDOumHXm9IFbpkH3WjqRR0/edit?usp=sharing
Button / Input boards - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q60h-KKj6I7w9B3WnswxXFZC0ohU4cN6BP9y_RkqCEs/edit?usp=sharing
Processor Board - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q60h-KKj6I7w9B3WnswxXFZC0ohU4cN6BP9y_RkqCEs/edit?usp=sharing
First Needs word list - https://docs.google.com/document/d/161QIsjfWnC853IrFSagrh-y-rKC1VBlQ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108737916171772625608&rtpof=true&sd=true
Plan going forward - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fV1qcRyBqb09I4kz0ZH8DGqADu84wod2WtvH7KulLQI/edit?usp=sharing

Contact trex@tssfaa.com