Advice on a camera for a disabled child

[Bob Cook]

Hi,

I'm a volunteer for an organisation that provides aids and appliances for people with a disability and their carers (see http://www.tadnsw.org.au)

One of our clients is a 13 year old girl who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. Her Parents are keen to provide her with a camera to give her access to the wonderful world of photography. She has limited use of one hand and could operate a camera via a remote control.

I need some advice on what cameras are available that would suit her. I believe the spec should be:

1. Must have a tripod mount (so it can be mounted on her wheelchair)
2. Provision for a wired remote control to fire the shutter
3. Large screen so she can see it easily (preferably adjustable viewing position)
4. Cost to be suitable for a 13 year old and a family that already has enough bills
5. The usual selection of Auto, P and scene modes
6. Built-in flash

Whilst this is below what most of us are using, maybe one of you or a friend has a camera that would fit this spec and I can chase up some prices.

Hope you can help

Regards, Bob Cook

[Phil_Brown]

Bob - the specs really lean toward a DSLR of some kind, when you're talking about large screens, built-in flash, cable release and that sort of thing.

Have you considered whether one of the camera stores in the area, or even a manufacturer, would consider a charitable donation of an entry level DSLR with a ket lens and the cable release? One of the new entry level Sony models for example (Alpha 300 comes to mind) that has liveview.

I'm sure there are some compact cameras that will fit the bill as well, but just another angle of attack as it were.