Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Location:
Time: 12:00pm Eastern
Title: Creating Mobility Solutions for Children: Combining Industrial Design, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy Skillsets to Achieve Better Outcomes
Speakers: Maya Freedman,Thomas Jefferson University; Emily Betchyk, Thomas Jefferson University; Morganne Wandall, Thomas Jefferson University;
Team Members: Eric Schneider, Thomas Jefferson University; Muth Stephanie, Thomas Jefferson University; Kimberly Mollo, Thomas Jefferson University; Tod Corlett, Thomas Jefferson University
Abstract:
Purpose: This interdisciplinary collaboration brought together students and faculty from industrial design, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to address the seating and mobility needs of children with mobility impairments. The goal was to enhance usability and access to modified ride-on bumper cars through thoughtful, user-centered adaptations.
Rationale: Unlike prior single-day build events using modified Power Wheels vehicles—which achieved functional outcomes but limited iteration and team reflection—this multi-week project allowed for deeper collaboration, creative problem-solving, and inclusive design practices. The use of 12-volt bumper cars offered a more compact, maneuverable platform better suited for indoor environments, expanding their potential applications.
Goal: This revised program successfully fostered sustained collaboration between design and rehabilitation disciplines, resulting in repeatable, adaptive mobility solutions that support children's participation and community engagement. The model offers a valuable template for future educational partnerships and inclusive design initiatives.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of session, attendees will be able to:
1. Learn how to effectively structure and manage an interdisciplinary project to develop and build assistive solutions by adapting existing products, technologies, and materials.
2. Learn about evaluation and validation methods for iterative development of assistive devices in a short term, intensive project.
Primary topic area: PLY: Play and Recreation in Assistive Technology
Secondary topic area:
Presenters Bios:
Maya Freedman
Maya Freedman, OTD is an occupational therapist with a strong interest in advancing inclusive and user-centered assistive technology. For her graduate capstone project, she was embedded within an Industrial Design department, where she worked closely with designers to integrate occupational therapy principles into the design process. Her work focused on preparing design students to work with unfamiliar populations and ensure that assistive devices are not only clinically effective but also intuitive, functional, and accessible to users of all abilities.
By applying a deep understanding of task analysis, functional needs, and real-world usability, she helped guide design teams toward solutions that reflect the diverse experiences of end users. This interdisciplinary collaboration emphasized the importance of designing with people, not just for them.
Emily Betchyk
Emily Betchyk is a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) graduate who recently presented their capstone project at Thomas Jefferson University. Emily collaborated with the Industrial Design Department at Jefferson’s East Falls campus to create a design research manual; An educational resource designed to integrate occupational therapy principles into the design research process. The booklet serves as a guide for design students and faculty, offering tools and strategies rooted in OT frameworks, including client-centered interviewing, observational techniques, and population-specific considerations.
This experience highlighted the growing relevance of occupational therapy in non-traditional and interdisciplinary settings. By fostering collaboration between OT and design disciplines, Emily aims to enhance empathy, usability, and functionality in the design of everyday products.
Morganne Wandall
Morganne recently earned her doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University. During her doctoral studies, she completed a year-long capstone project in collaboration with industrial design students at Thomas Jefferson’s East Falls campus, where she co-developed adaptive bumper cars designed for children with varying abilities. In addition to her capstone work, Morganne has hands-on experience creating adaptive devices for an individual in the Philadelphia area, further deepening her commitment to inclusive design. Her professional interests center on the intersection of occupational therapy, assistive technology, and inclusive recreation. Morganne is passionate about using her OT expertise to design innovative, client-centered solutions that promote full participation and meaningful engagement for people of all abilities. She is excited to contribute to this webinar by sharing insights from her academic and clinical experiences, and by advocating for interdisciplinary approaches that foster accessibility and inclusion.
Completion of the post-event survey and quiz earns 0.1 IACET CEUs.
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