July 25, 2008

Bioengineering camp challenges students to make a difference

The wheelchair activity is designed to open students' eyes to the needs of people with disabilities. Students will see some of the career opportunities possible in designing equipment that makes life better for people.

Brenda Gile-Laflin, assistant dean of the College of Engineering, will facilitate an activity in which students have to accomplish some things around campus in a manual wheelchair. For instance, students will go from the second floor of Rhatigan Student Center to the library to check out a heavy book off the top shelf in a narrow aisle of books.

"We hope this will make them aware of the placement of elevators, ramps and wheelchair accessible doors and the need for assistive devices to accomplish everyday tasks," said Charity Kennedy, assistant director of engineering education.

After the students have had a chance to see how difficult the manual chairs can be, they will be shown a new, revolutionary type of wheelchair to showcase what kind of improvements have been made recently.