On Thursday, November 8th, our group visited the Susan Gray School at Vanderbilt to learn more about the patients our mobility devices would be deployed to and understand their needs. Heather Winters, an occupational therapist at the school, was able to take some time to walk us through the school and talk to use about the patient needs. We began by looking at the devices that were already in use, and an old GoBabyGo car to understand why it wasn’t being used.

Major issues with the current GoBabyGo car included that the charger was missing, the user had a difficult time putting a child into the car and that it was bulky and heavy. It was used for a child who exhibited self-injurious behaviour and was only used once in a therapy session.

Next, we went to observe the specific children that our cars would be used by and asked about their particularly limitations and what they would require. We were able to observe two students directly with the following limitations.

• Student 1: 3 year old with fluctuating athetoid cerebral palsy. Specific mobility restrictions includes little muscle tone in arms, and lack of fine motor control, limited communication and lack of fluid movement. Currently uses a Riftch Activity Chair, a weight bearing stander and a gait trainer. Need to address problems with communication, social interactions and muscle control.
• Student 2: 3 year old with spina bifida. Strong upper arm movement and head control with no control below the waist. Limited vision. Currently uses a wheelchair and a stander.

Heather noted that there are two other students that would potentially be able to use our devices but they were not available for us to observe at that time.

On the tour we were also able to see the specific areas that the cars would be used in. Primarily the cars would be used by children on either of two playgrounds at the school. Some important considerations for the playgrounds is that they do include water play areas, have stairs and metal equipment and are not completely covered. The cars would primarily be used on the playground floor and not near the stairs or the metal structure.

Further, some use would be in the gym which included tile floors and blue raised mats. In this area the students would interact with other students and be encouraged to socialize and design considerations should be made for this type of social environment.

Finally, Heather talked to us about some final design aspects that she would want to ideally see. Her suggestions included the following:

• A component of the car that allowed the children to make simple choices to help with communication
• A door that opened
• Secure harnesses
• Increases in resistance as the muscle develops
• Multiple speed levels
• Removable floor for children with some use of their legs
• Removable handle for a parent
• Velcro on pedals if applicable
• A design that is lightweight