9712364 Kicher This activity focuses on the development of assist devices for people with disabilities. This involves the Case Engineering Service Group (CESG) of the Case School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. The CESG is composed of undergraduate engineering students that volunteer their time or receive academic credit to design and build custom rehabilitative devices for individuals with disabilities receiving care at the various medical institutions in the Cleveland area. This activity involves over 100 students, five engineering classes involved with projects and approximately 60 completed projects per year. Examples of recently completed projects include: (1) a feeding re-enforcement tool for children with severe mental retardation, (2) a tricycle that can be propelled by hand with seating to provide posture support and security for children with cerebral palsy, (3) a device to provide computer access for children with ventilator dependence and quadriplegia, (4) a specialized toy car to provide independent mobility for a child with a spinal cord injury, and (5) a pediatric playstation to encourage and motivate a variety of children with disabilities to achieve more progress in their physical, occupational and speech therapy. ***
