ANCHOR Pocket
Personal immediate communication and preferred access tools.
Physical layers
Five configurations, not one overloaded case.
Dock Kit
Standard fixed-site shared access case.
Site System
Quiet waiting, route, lighting, partitions and movement options that do not fit in a bag.
Field Case
MAV, event and outreach cartridges with replenishment stock.
Lending Library / Try Lab is the fifth layer.
Use here → try today → borrow → compare → personalize → refer to broader assistive-technology resources such as Arkansas iCAN when appropriate.
Provisional core bill of materials
Function + class + lifecycle.
This is a pilot engineering specification, not yet a final procurement list. Quantities and exact SKUs should be validated through autistic user testing, site trials, sanitation testing and failure-mode review.
| Bay | Component | Class | Function | Engineering / safety rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QUIET | Passive over-ear sound-reduction option | B | Sound attenuation; multiple fit/attenuation options preferred | Inspect cushions/headband; clean per manufacturer; do not obstruct safety-critical cues. |
| SEE | Matte portable visual shield / low-glare surface | B | Reduce line-of-sight visual load and glare without forcing darkness | Wipe-compatible; no sharp edges; stable in intended position. |
| HANDS | One-piece tactile puck / palm tile | B | Quiet tactile input | One-piece preferred; inspect tears; material/cleaning compatibility required. |
| HANDS | Silent resistance ring / hand-resistance tool | B | Proprioceptive/resistance input | No exposed magnets, detachable small components or brittle failure. |
| COMMUNICATE | CARD deck: YES / NO / STOP / WAIT / MORE TIME / WRITE / SHOW ME / BREAK | A/B | Fast communication without requiring speech | Large print + icon + text; wipeable or replaceable cards. |
| COMMUNICATE | Dry-erase writing board + marker | B | Written communication and step-by-step information | Marker safety/odor considered; clean board between shared use. |
| KNOW | Silent visual timer | B | Make waiting and transitions more predictable | Avoid loud alarm; battery compartment must meet applicable safety requirements. |
| KNOW | Now / Next / Later + sequence cards | A/B | Predictability and service-journey support | Plain language; bilingual/pictorial versions. |
| RETURN | Dedicated used-item return pouch / bay | A | Prevents handled equipment returning directly to clean stock | Clearly separated; wipeable; steward empties into cleaning workflow. |
| PERSONAL | Individually packaged earplugs where appropriate | C | Personal sound reduction | Not shared; fit/safety context matters; not the default for every environment. |
| CONTROLLED | Weighted / compression equipment | D/E | Pressure input only under a defined controlled or clinical protocol | Not part of open core inventory; never used as restraint. |
| EXCLUDED | Loose magnets, water beads, accessible coin batteries, brittle/small-part novelty fidgets | X | Excluded from routine open-access procurement | Product safety and foreseeable failure take priority over “sensory” marketing. |
Build for a place