Tulane University Students Develop Custom Mobility Chairs for Special Needs Children

The innovative project, in partnership with nonprofits MakeGood and TOM Global, aims to enhance independence and strength in toddlers and assist families in securing insurance coverage for future wheelchair needs.

Biomedical engineering students at Tulane University have developed mobility chairs for special needs children, providing them with a new level of independence.
The chairs, which are part of a service-learning initiative at Tulane, are customized to fit the needs of each child and are designed to help toddlers build strength and independence.
The project is in partnership with the nonprofit MakeGood and TOM Global, an Israeli nonprofit that combines modern design and digital manufacturing to fulfill neglected needs of people with disabilities and limitations.
The chairs are particularly beneficial for families whose children will eventually need wheelchairs, as they provide evidence that the child can use a mobility device effectively, which is often required for insurance coverage.
So far, 15 chairs have been given away and the team aims to build at least 10 to 15 more by Spring 2024.