The Transformer

RampGroup Members:

Amanda Parker (Applied Psychology/Global Public Health)

Jifeng Huang (Integrated Digital Media)

Shen-Fang Cheng (Integrated Digital Media)

Szu-Wei Chen (Occupational Therapy)

Turki Aljuhani (Occupational Therapy)

Target

1. Primary population: manual wheelchair users with normal

upper extremity strength

2. Description/materials

I. Portable accommodate different heights

II. User friendly

III. Safe ( Hopefully slip proof)

IV. Inexpensive

V. Independent

3. Product purpose:

• Allow manual wheelchair users to ascend and descend, one

step (curb)

• Used for curb between 5 inch to 7 inch

Purpose

• To enhance the accessibility of wheelchair users and to make

sure they can go up and down the curb safely.

• People with disabilities face challenges with architectural

accessibility which often prevents them from attending events,

participating in activities, and having equal access.

• For this reason, we are striving to create a portable ramp that

people with disability can transport with it, so that they can

access to areas that were not previously accessible.

• Additionally, many curb-cuts are not properly created or paved.

Only 43.6% of the curb ramp had the correct slope

measurement.Therefore this ramp would assist with better

overalls transportation.

Bennett, S. et al. (2009)

APA standard

• For every inch up, need 12 inches long

• Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12

Slope Maximum rise

Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than

1:8

3 inches

Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than

1:10

6 inches

A Slope steeper than 1:8 is prohibited

Maximum ramp slope and rise

http://www.discountramps.c

om/building-code-

wheelchair-ramps/a/A9/

Existing products

• Portable, different size and length, heavy, expensive

Existing products• Not so portable, lightweight, inexpensive

Timeline

brainstormingIdeas for the

first prototype

Development of the 1st

prototype

Wheelchair users

interview

2nd

prototype3rd

prototypeTest the 3rd

prototypeFinal

presentation

The Process: Brainstorming

The Process: 1st Prototype

The improvement of 1st Prototype

Focusing on the 90 degree angle

Let’s see how it works!

User Trials/Interviews

• Ask People in Chairs: Why?

• What am we not thinking about?

• What are the problems?

• Is it going up 3 inches, or speed bumps in your day to day that are

small but take the toll? up and down sidewalk ramps? potholes?

Puddles!

• What else is a problem for them?

• How do they go up stairs and curbs now?

User Trials/InterviewsQuestions asked to 13 wheelchair users at UCP

1. Name

2. How long have you been using a wheelchair?

3. Manual or Electric Chair

4. Chair Make and Model

5. What are the most frustrating things about using your chair in NYC?

6. Let's say a friend asks to meet at a particular restaurant, what's the first

thing you do?

7. How do you go up or approach stairs and curbs now?

8. When going about your daily life in your chair what are your most

common problems?

9. Let's say I had a magic wand that you grant you access to 3 locations you

currently don't have access to. Where would you want to go?

10. A group of us are thinking about making a portable ramp. You could take it

out and put it down over a few stairs to go up them. What are your

thoughts on this idea?

11. What would such a ramp need to have in order for it to be helpful for you?

12. Any other notes or thoughts about inventions and add-ons that would be

helpful for your chair?

User Trials/Interviews

Feedback

User Trials/Interviews

FeedbackParticipate number: Type of chair: Propriety:

12 users (7 males)

and (5 females)

5 electronic

6 Manual

9 out of the 12 users

identify access as a

major factor

How independent

can you be with

stairs or curbs:

Common

problem/s:

The Transformer

Ramp

2 users avoid using

the curbs or stairs

when there is no help

around

7 users require some

assistance

1 is independent

2 users did not report

any answers

7 users identify

curbs as a common

problem they face

everyday

10 users were

excited about the

project

The Process: 2nd Prototype

• The idea came from instructors’ feedback

(http://edu.ocac.gov.tw/local/taiwan_toy/toy_2_5_c.htm)

The Process: 2nd Prototype• Mechanism

• Thickness: 1 inches; height: 5 inches

Let’s see how it works!

The Process: 3rd Prototype A new prototype that is intended to be foldable, extendable and

virtually lightweight.

Materials:

Solid wood, wood molding,

nails, door hinge, strike

plate, screws and bolts.

The Process: 3rd Prototype

Detailed Aspects

The Process: 3rd Prototype

End Result

Future Goals & DirectionsConsideration

● 2nd prototype:

Solve: the mechanical problem and the size. However...

1. Building the structure

2. Material

3. User testing

● 3rd prototype

Solve: It does support a significant amount of weight, in

addition extendable with add ons. However...

1. (Lightweight)Potentially be lighter

2. (User Friendly)Risk of pinching fingers

3. (Accessibility)Not universal enough for all wheelchairs

References

• Bennett, S., Kirby, R., & Macdonald, B. (2009). Wheelchair

accessibility: descriptive survey of curb ramps in an urban

area. Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation, 4(1), 17-23.