BCIT’s engineering department has a multi faceted research team developing innovative solutions that improve and expand activities of daily living and community participation for people with disabilities.
They work with a diverse, inter-disciplinary, collaborative network of researchers (rehabilitation engineers, occupational therapists, mechanical engineers, human kinetics, and more), as well as industry, other post-secondary’s institutions and community partners.
Rehabilitation Engineering Design is championed by Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, Director MAKE+ and former Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Rehabilitation Engineering Design, and his team of research experts.
Some past projects include:
Rowing machines provide users a great way to get cardiovascular exercise and help build strength. While standard rowing machines for gym facilities or home use are widely available, they don’t address the seating and positioning needs of people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility impairments. This project aimed to develop adaptations that allow commercially available rowing machines to be used by wheelchair users, thus making rowing an accessible, effective, and enjoyable exercise for people with spinal cord injury and other disabilities.
The aSKI offers adaptations that allow people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility impairments to exercise using commercially available exercise equipment. This adapted machine provides cardiovascular exercise and can help build strength for people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility impairments requiring use of a wheelchair. The aSKI is an adapted ski machine that connects to the Concept2 ski ergometer. The lap pad can be adjusted to stabilizes a wheelchair user, allowing them to optimize their workout.
Find current projects on their website.
