Small cars, big possibilities: Harper students help children gain independence: Harper College

Harper students, faculty and community members pose with a customized car created for a child with physical disabilities

Harper College students recently put their skills to work to help young children with physical disabilities explore their world more independently during the college’s first GoBabyGo event. Part of a national initiative that adapts ride-on toy cars into customized mobility devices, the project brought together 30 students from Harper’s Physical Therapist Assistant and Engineering programs.

Working alongside faculty, clinicians and community volunteers, students participated in different stages of the project, from building and modifying the cars to completing postural assessments and making individualized adaptations for the children on the day of the event.

Harper students interact with small children while creating customized cars for them

The team built five cars, and four children received their own adapted cars with features such as supportive seating and accessible controls. Families received guidance on using the cars, and children had an opportunity to practice driving in a supervised setting.

The initiative received support through a Resource for Excellence (RFE) Grant from the Harper College Educational Foundation. The grant program funds innovative pilot projects that advance Harper’s strategic plan.

Children with physical disabilities are place in the cars made for them by Harper faculty and students

Megan Dillon, associate professor and academic coordinator of clinical education in Harper’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program, led the initiative in collaboration with Associate Professor Chris Athanassopoulos from Engineering and Professor Rita Gura from the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. The Illinois Spina Bifida Association and regional GoBabyGo collaborators partnered with Harper on the project.

For students, the experience connected classroom lessons in accessibility, problem-solving and patient care with the needs of children and their families.

A child with a disability is fitted for his customized car

“It was a cool experience working with multiple people to achieve the same goal! A lot of teamwork was had, and seeing the kids smile was awesome,” one student wrote in a post-event reflection.

For the children, the customized cars offered new opportunities for independent movement, play and connection with others.

Harper students and faculty prepare the toy vehicles