Project Title:  Computer Access System for Child with Physical Disabilities
Project Team:  Stephen Pedicone, Brandon Rosati, Carl Smoyer, Gianfranco Zafred
Executive Summary:
The objective of this project is to design a computer access system for a child who is physically disabled. The child (our customer) is of above average intelligence but has cerebral palsy. The project is sponsored by EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service), a team who helps non-profit organizations develop working solutions for their engineering challenges. EPICS is based out of State College, PA and works closely with Purdue University.

The final prototype will consist of a modified joystick using an existing circuit board from a game controller. The top of the joystick will be modified to fit the specific needs of our client as well as having easy to reach buttons on either side of the joystick. The base that holds the components will be secured to the client's table or tray. These modifications being performed to an existing joystick will allow the most flexibility and ease of use by our client. 

Other than the final prototype, there are several deliverables that the team must provide by the end of this project. This includes a website, final report, and presentation with a poster. The group's budget is limited to $800, which we will have to allocate to each of these deliverables. Most of the budget will be devoted to the initial and final prototype.

The team has come up with a general approach, which we plan to use to complete our objective in a timely fashion. The group constructed a Gantt chart, which outlined our long-term goals and important deadlines that must be met. The team met with the sponsor and the client several times, as well as conducted research on cerebral palsy. Through class participation and team meetings many concepts were developed, which cover important aspects of the design including comfort, stability, and size. So far the team produced and tested one rough prototype and plan to produce and test at least one more prototype. Then the prototype will be evaluated through customer interface and using engineering modeling to test the strength of our prototype in order to achieve the most functional final design.

Using diverse knowledge and backgrounds, the team is confident that a reliable, functional, and overall superior joystick design for computer access will be produced. The team foresees this project to be a very rewarding experience because it goes beyond accomplishing a mundane engineering objective by actually helping someone who is in need. 

Date:  Spring 2007
Faculty Coach:  Dr. Matthew Parkinson - Mechanical Engineering Department
Sponsor:  CIU #10 - EPICS, Boalsburg, PA