Abstract: Individuals faced with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities require specialized services to help reach their full potential in the community. Many of them benefit greatly from mental stimulation, as it contributes to maintaining a better overall quality of life.

Certain activities, such as swinging, achieve mental stimulation by targeting the vestibular system. The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for detecting movements and gravitational pull. Inside the brain, neurological connections process and integrate sensory information associated with controlling balance and eye movements.

This process, known as sensory integration, contributes to emotional regulation, learning, behavior, and participation in daily life. The goal of the system is to assist occupational or physical therapists in providing controlled vestibular input, which is recommended for individuals with sensory processing disabilities.

For over 50 years, Arc of Monroe County has offered these individuals a variety of programs and services including meaningful social development, supported employment, residential community living, and enrichment opportunities. In particular, Arc of Monroe’s Day Services program promotes valuable learning opportunities through mental, emotional, and social stimulation. Such stimulation is integral in maintaining a better overall quality of life.

For more information about the Day Habilitation Program, visit the Arc of Monroe's Day Habilitation Information Page!

Our Goal: Organizations like Arc of Monroe must acquire separate mechanisms in order to provide swinging therapy to a variety of participants. Wheelchair swings allow individuals in wheelchairs to swing without exiting their standard or powered wheelchairs. Additionally, platform swings allow individuals who do not use a wheelchair and require more intense stimulation to swing freely in a 360° footprint.

This project focuses on the development and implementation of a dual platform-wheelchair swing, accommodating both the needs of individuals who require wheelchairs and the needs of those who do not. The main features that distinguish the apparatus from today's product market are its indoor/outdoor capabilities and its dual purpose; the wheelchair swing subsystem can be removed from the frame and a platform swing can be installed.

At the end of the project the team will deliver a working prototype, a use and maintenance manual, an assembly manual, detailed drawings, executed test plans with documented results, a bill of materials and a technical paper and poster.

Project Name

Dual Purpose Wheelchair-Platform Swing

Project Number

P15010

Start Term

2014

End Term

2015

Faculty Guide

Gerald Garavuso, gxgddm@rit.edu

Primary Customer

Amanda Bement, abement@arcmonroe.org

Sponsor (financial support)

Dan Phillips, BME, dbpeee@rit.edu

Problem Definition

Includes:

Project Background

Project Summary

Project Use Scenarios

Customer Requirements

Engineering Specifications

House of Quality

Project Definition Design Review

Systems Design

Includes:

MSDI Weeks 1-9 Risk Assessment

Benchmarking

Functional Decomposition

Morphological Chart

Concept Selection

Concept Development

System Architecture

Subsystem Feasibility Analysis

Systems Level Design Review

Subsystems Design

Includes:

Final Concept Selection

Safety Subsystem

Propulsion Subsystem

Motor/Braking Subsystem

Frame Subsystem

Wheelchair Platform Subsystem

Platform Swing Subsystem

Includes:

Final Engineering Specs

Final Functional Decomposition

Projected Project Life Use Scenario

Risk Analysis MSD I 8-15, Winter Break

Test Plan

Subsystems:

Frame Detailed Design

Propulsion Detailed Design

Platform Swing Detailed Design

Wheelchair Platform Detailed Design

Wheelchair to Frame Attachment Detailed Design

Review 1

Includes:

Risk Chart

Test Plan

Review 2

Includes:

Fabrication/Assembly

Test Plans

Risk Chart

Documentation

Review 3

Includes:

Fabrication/Assembly

Test Plans

Risk Chart

Documentation

Review 4

Includes:

Subsystem: Expected Versus Actual

System: Expected Versus Actual

Test Plans

Risk Chart

Documentation

Review 5

Includes:

Documentation

Final Subsystem Photos

Project Management

Team Values and Norms

Photo Gallery

Gate Reviews