Senior Sarah Brakenwagen was one of the undergraduate and graduate occupational therapy [1] students in the Assistive Technology II class who were required to create individual iPad holder designs to meet the needs of a physically, cognitively, and perceptually challenged children.
“The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) requires schools to provide assistive technology devices for equal access to services,” according to an abstract on their project, which was presented at the Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity on April 18.
“We wanted to display a unique project that would be very beneficial and crucial for a child with a disability,” she said.
They had to take into consideration the biomechanical positioning; ease of mobility in and out of the wheelchair; creative, developmentally-appropriate child friendly designs; and use by able-bodied peers.
“We used various household items, recycled objects, and other industrial materials for construction,” Brakenwagen said.
At the end of the semester, the students hoped to donate the iPad holders to children who could benefit from them.
Students Erin Moloney, Danielle Attardo, Sarah O’Leary, and Kathryn Salemme were also on the project team.