The portable, air-powered device can lift a child who either uses a walker or wheelchair onto various playground equipment, thus the embraced ideas of full inclusion, where children with and without disabilities play and interact in the same environment, can now be even further implemented. The Baltimore-based organization contacted area schools asking for help in making playgrounds more accessible for children with disabilities. Prior to the development, educators reported that children who require leg braces, walkers, and wheelchairs have difficulty getting onto elevated playground equipment. On such structures, a child must be able to climb steps or a ladder in order to enjoy the features above the platform.
Ramps often produce an additional hardship, due to lack of available space.
To help prevent accidents, the students added safety features, including a brake that holds the passenger compartment in place even if air pressure is lost, and a lock box that restricts access to controls. The completed products will be handled by Volunteers for Medical Engineering, whose members will check for safety and then will test them in schools attended by children with disabilities and other mobility challenges. Thus far, the engineering project has been well received. We're hoping this is a design that can be replicated and used whenever it's needed. The playground lifter was one of twelve John Hopkins projects completed this year by undergraduates in the department of Mechanical Engineering's Senior Design Project course.