by Toddlers with special needs often face delays in achieving independent mobility, creating challenges for both the children and their caregivers. Elijah Jack, a 19-month-old with a limb difference and clubfeet, and Freya Baudoin, a 19-month-old born prematurely with delayed mobility, are two examples of children who benefited from specially designed mobility chairs built by biomedical engineering students at Tulane University. These custom-made rolling chairs have provided Elijah with newfound independence, allowing him to navigate his surroundings with ease.
Crystal Jack, Elijah’s mother, expressed her delight at seeing her son enjoy his chair, stating that she can now accomplish more tasks while knowing that he is safe and capable of moving around the house on his own. Prior to receiving the chair, Elijah had to rely on scooting across the floor to get where he needed to go, but the chair has provided him with a whole new level of independence.
The Tulane students collaborated with the nonprofit organization MakeGood in 2022 to design and produce these chairs, which are aimed at helping toddlers (approximately aged 1-4) develop strength and independence and prepare them for transitioning to a real wheelchair if needed. While precise data on wheelchair usage among children is difficult to obtain, a 2002 US Census reported that there were approximately 2.8 million wheelchair users in the United States, with 121,000 of them being under 15 years old.
MakeGood serves as the New Orleans area coordinator for TOM Global, an Israeli nonprofit that combines modern design and digital manufacturing to address the neglected needs of individuals with disabilities. The students partnered with these organizations as part of a service-learning project, a requirement for graduation at Tulane. The impact of the chairs on the lives of the children in the community proved to be more significant than anticipated.
Dylan Lucia, a graduate student from Tulane studying biomedical engineering, shared his satisfaction with the project’s impact, emphasizing how rewarding it was to witness the positive changes and increased independence that the chairs brought to these young children. The chairs are particularly beneficial for families whose children will eventually need wheelchairs, as they help demonstrate to insurance companies the child’s ability to effectively use the device, increasing the likelihood of insurance coverage for a more durable assistive technology.
The chairs were produced at Tulane’s Scot Ackerman MakerSpace, a massive workshop equipped with laser cutters, 3D printers, and various tools for drilling and sewing. The students meticulously assembled the chairs, incorporating padding and safety straps, while making necessary modifications to accommodate the specific needs of each child. For example, Freya’s chair required a wider strap to secure her torso, and another patient needed additional space to hold his breathing vent. Freya’s chair also had a bar added to the back, allowing her to push it like a stroller. With her physical therapist’s guidance and the assistance of her chair, Freya took her first steps in early December.
Noam Platt, the director of MakeGood, explained that the original design and plans for the mobility chairs came from TOM Global, but the parts were sourced from the United States or handcrafted at Tulane. The wooden frames of the chairs were laser cut and sanded by the students to ensure a smooth finish. They then sewed fabric cushions and inserted padded seats into them. The wheels were purchased online and attached securely to the chairs.
Elijah has been using his chair since the end of March when the first batch of around 10 chairs were delivered to pediatric patients for use in occupational and physical therapy sessions. His chair has empowered him with a sense of normalcy, allowing him to keep up with other children his age. Elijah’s mother expressed her gratitude for the chair, stating that it has positively impacted his life.
Based on feedback from parents of the initial recipients, the most recent batch of chairs included bumper additions to prevent furniture and feet from being hit as the children gained better control and speed in operating their chairs. Platt mentioned that two rounds of chair building have been completed so far, resulting in the distribution of 15 chairs. However, they plan to produce an additional 10 to 15 chairs by Spring 2024. MakeGood collaborates with clinical partners to identify children who would benefit from the chairs and ensures that each chair is customized according to the individual’s needs.
Platt estimated that each chair costs less than $200 to produce. Despite being donated at no cost to the patients, these chairs are significantly more affordable than most pediatric wheelchairs available in the market. Moreover, the student-made chairs are designed to resemble toys rather than clinical equipment, making them visually appealing and easy to maneuver.
Platt hopes to see the concept of producing mobility chairs spread to high schools and colleges across the country, as he believes it can ignite a lifelong passion among students to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Seeing the scope of the problems faced by individuals with special needs has compelled him to shed light on these issues and promote impactful solutions.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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