NYC Gazette

Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has been making strides in the realm of assistive technology through its occupational therapy program. Students in the program have been working on creating bespoke assistive devices for children with disabilities. Since 2022, they have provided approximately 20 devices annually to children in need.

One of the beneficiaries is Zoey, a 2-year-old child who received an activity chair. This chair was designed to help stabilize her waist, thereby enabling her to engage in more tactile activities and move safely. Her father, Liam Karter, notes the chair's positive impact: “The chair is going to help her, first with teaching her that she has the ability to do these things, and second, strengthening those core muscles that are necessary for her to be able to do those things when she does move out of the chair.”

The students showcased these devices at the Assistive and Adaptive Technology Innovation Showcase, which featured Zoey’s chair among others. The course director and assistant professor of rehabilitation & regenerative medicine stated, “These projects are time intensive, require creativity, and require students to think on their feet: all critical skills for clinical life.” The course encourages collaboration among students, family members, teachers, and therapists to ensure the devices meet the patients' needs.

One aim of the course is to highlight affordable solutions made from tri-wall cardboard, which allow students to tailor devices to specific needs. This approach has proven beneficial for families like Zoey's, who were searching for solutions after being denied by insurance.

Tasha Karter, Zoey's mother, expressed appreciation for the personalized experience, stating, “Overall, it just felt very personable. When we came for Zoey's fitting, it was just good to see a familiar face.” Her husband added, “It felt good coming into the environment because the students really love what they are doing, they feel good about what they are doing, and that spreads around to everyone.”

Cynthia Hsu, a student involved in creating Zoey’s chair, emphasized the significance of the task, noting, “Seeing Zoey use her chair really underscored the importance of assistive technology/adaptive devices for occupational therapy clients and how much of a difference they can make in our clients’ lives.”

Kaitlyn Louie, another student who worked on the project, highlighted the value of celebrating small victories. She remarked, “The most unforgettable moment of this experience was watching all the children, including Zoey, use the assistive devices we created as students.”

The program continues to empower students and assist children in need, fostering a community-oriented learning environment where the focus is service to others.