Design of Adaptive Equipment and Wheelchairs

 The idea behind my major is simple: to challenge. I plan to design adaptive equipment and wheelchairs for people with physical disabilities. These chairs will integrate movement and rehab in a new way. Individuals will integrate their capabilities and potential with their every day mobility. There are many wheelchair bound individuals who have movement that does not translate into wheeling themselves in a chair. Most of these individuals  are now in expensive electric chairs or are dependent on outside assistance for their mobility. I want to design wheelchairs and equipment to allow these individuals to use the movement they are capable of to move towards their locomotion. I plan to do this through the integration of simple machines with the chair. These will be adapted to the individuals needs and abilities. Potentially, this has large social and environmental benefits. Users will be better integrated in society, more physically fit, and have a lower energy use footprint.Jake with Larry Perry of "How's Your News?" in New York. Photo by Michelle Moore

I am choosing BDIC to pursue this idea because it involves so many fields. I plan to take classes in the school of management; to deal with the business and management side of my future business. I plan to take courses in design; to better integrate the form and function of my product ideas. I plan to take courses in Kinesiology; to better my understanding of physical therapy, the human body, it's movement, and body mechanics. I plan to study engineering; to be able to understand building materials, design technology, building techniques, and manufacturing.

My idea covers so many fields that a traditional major could not fit all of my needs. While working in one of them could be very educational and interesting in of itself I would be missing out on so much else. BDIC is the place for me