iPad

One of the advantages of the iPad is the fact that it's fairly standardised, i.e.

• The iPad Mini 1 through to 4 are roughly the same dimensions;
• the iPad 2 through to 4 are roughly the same dimensions;
• and the iPad Air 1 and 2 are roughly the same dimensions.

This means lots of accessories that fit to a standard size; unlike Windows and Android tablets which have a multitude of different sizes from different manufacturers so accessories tend to be very tailored.

 

What to consider when choosing a mounting

1. Does the user have a heavy or a light touch? How rigid should the mounting be?
2. Do you need a mounting that can accomodate a protective case for the iPad?
3. Is there a suitable point for the mounting to clamp to?

What are the mounting options?

Joy Factory

One of our favourites due to its relatively cheap costs and excellent engineering. Joy Factory is an American company and their products can be purchased from Parotec-IT.

• Low cost;
• Made from plastic and polycarbonate;
• Fairly rigid;
• Nice magnetic connector (with tightening nut) for quickly attaching the iPad holder to the arm;
• Effective clamps for attaching to the wheelchair.

The MagConnect range is designed for the iPad and iPad mini and they supply the MagConnect Wheelchair Mount in their range.

There is a short 50 second YouTube video showing a Joy Factory MagConnect mounting.

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RAMMount

Again, a relatively cheap solution from this American company but not as solid as the Joy Factory products. They have a UK RamMount website selling a multitude of mounting solutions but you can also purchase them from Inclusive Technology.

• Low cost;
• Made from plastic;
• More movement than the Joy Factory products so probably useful for users with a light touch;

CALL created a 5 minute YouTube video a while back showing the assembly of a RAMMount iPad mounting and RAMMount also have a promotional video showing a wheelchair mount.

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Daessy Mounting systems

In the case of a wheelchair, it may be that a very rigid mounting solution is required that doesn't have much movement when the user has a heavy touch. Daessy Mount is manufactured by the Canadian company Daedalus who supply heavy duty wheelchair mountings. They can be purchased through a number of suppliers.

• Higher costs;
• Much heavier than other mountings;
• Made from steel;
• Very rigid;
• Effective clamps for attaching to the wheelchair.

This is a promotinal YouTube video showing the Daessy mounting system. It does not actually show an iPad mounting but it does show the system in general.

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Flexzi

Flexzi is produced by MERU, a charity who design and makes life-changing disability products for children and young people with disabilities.

Flexzi is a low cost simple solution that can easily be modified to add extra length/reach.

• Low cost;
• Made from plastic;
• Easy to modify;
• light;
• Fairly rigid but does have movement so probably useful for users with a light touch.
• Aimed more at early years.

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Rehadapt

REHAdapt are a German company who specialise in mountings. They sell in the UK through a variety of suppliers such as Smile Rehab and Inclusive Technology (they brand as 'Inclusive Mounting').

The iDevice Solutions range is designed for the iPad and iPad mini and comes with various accessories.

• Made from aluminium;
• light;
• higher cost;
• Easily adjusted;
• Fairly rigid.

They have 3 product ranges that are suitable for iPads:

• Monty 3D (heavier mount),
• Light 3D (lighter mount)
• Magic Arm (articulated arm).

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Gooseneck Switch Mounting

Flexible arm with 360 degrees of rotation which can be easily clamped to a desk or wheelchair. They can be purchased through a number of suppliers such as Inclusive Technology and Liberator.

• Low cost;
• Made from steel;
• Fairly rigid.

YouTube video showing a Gooseneck with an iPad.