Nonprofit in New Orleans Uses 3D Printing to Assist Disabled Kids and Adults

A few weeks ago, Susan Paul and Philip Steinbeck led an event at Camp Dream Street, where campers with a birth defect tried out a lightweight, breathable arm device designed by Steinbeck’s nonprofit, Makelab. This New Orleans-based organization provides customized prosthetics and assistive devices.

Susan’s daughter, who was born without her left hand, uses one of these devices, which are fabricated on-site by Makelab. Unlike conventional devices, these 3D-printed hands are lightweight and suitable for daily activities. The nonprofit caters mainly to children and young adults and offers free or low-cost devices, thanks to donations and grants.

“A significant number of people lack access to adequately fitting and useful assistive devices,” said Steinbeck. He emphasized how their designs, including prosthetic fingers and hand-grip aids, improve users’ quality of life. The devices are shared under open-source licenses, enabling broader access and collaboration among similar organizations.

Makelab collaborates with other nonprofits and open-source communities to share designs and improve solutions for people with disabilities. This approach expands the reach of their innovative devices, making them more accessible worldwide.

One such product, for example, is a customized adaptor for a wheelchair that enhances the user’s ability to interact with their environment. This small-scale manufacturing capability allows Makelab to meet specific needs that are often overlooked.

Steinbeck