2025-26 Design Projects

Magnetic Wrist Brace

There are many people with cervical-level spinal cord injury who can move their wrist, but not their

fingers. Steve from CREATE has produced a device that uses magnets, and a wrist brace to allow

these patients to lift modified daily items. This a rudimentary design that needs to be iterated upon,

to make it better. This Project will be submitted to RESNA.

Adapted Beach Wheelchair

Currently, wheelchairs for the beach are very expensive and inaccessible for families. Andrea at

Emma's Exceptional Equipment Exchange (EEEE) reached out. Develop a beach wheelchair that is

affordable, sturdy, and suitable for children aged 4-10 years. Must have adjustable supports for

children with different disabilities.

Adapted Makeup

So many makeup products and brands exist, but packaging is not always accessible. Adding

external parts, like handles or textured grips, can improve accessibility without redesigning the

makeup products themselves. So many products and user needs mean endless design ideas; lots of

prototyping and user testing. All designs, such as CAD work, can be shared as open source and made re-

creatable to increase availability. This project will be submitted to RESNA.

Walker Proximity Sensor

Individuals on the autism spectrum may sometimes find it challenging to interpret how their actions

or words affect others. Amelia from Kent School District's Outreach program has an autistic student

who constantly bumps into his peers with his walker. They want to create a discrete proximity sensor

for the student's walker to warn him when he is getting too close to someone. (Sound, Vibration, or

touch-based warning system).

EEU Design Accessible Playground

The Experimental Educational Unit (EEU) is the on-campus site for a large population of young

students who are neurodivergent or have mobility challenges. Observe and learn first-hand

about the EEU and come up with your own ideas of how to help improve the inclusivity of

students. Create solutions to make the playground more accessible, such as designing ramps to

help get around hills, play structures that are accessible to all, or sensory exploration walls.

Tactile Map

A mother requested a tactile map for her son, who is visually impaired and uses a power chair. Child

is physically challenged (would need assistance to use the map). He attends school at Point

Defiance and would like a tactile map of some of the areas he often frequents, to make it easier to

visualize. A map of the campus, neighborhood, and/or zoo, could be adapted. This project would

include 3D printing and a lot of room to experiment with different materials, shapes, textures, and

colors. This project will be submitted to RESNA.