OHMI launches its Challenge to Hackcessible’s 2022 Make-a-thon

​This year’s theme for the UN-sanctioned International Day of People with Disabilities on 3rd December 2022 is ‘Transformative solutions for inclusive development’ so it is very fitting that Hackcessible has chosen the same date to run its 2022 make-a-thon. This assistive technology competition is organised by Mechanical Engineering students at the University of Sheffield and brings together students and people living with disability to collaborate on solving technology challenges.
 
This year, OHMI has chosen 11-year-old Xavier as Challenger to Hackcessible’s make-a-thon. Xavier is an avid fan of Formula One (one of the noisiest sports on the planet) so it perhaps stands to reason that his choice of musical instrument – the drum kit – is equally as loud!
 
However, the progression of his Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy means Xavier requires adaptations to his drum kit.
 
Xavier’s goal is to be able to use the drum kit pedals while sat in his wheelchair. With the help of OHMI, he has set the Engineering students at the University of Sheffield the following challenge:
 

1. To explore how the drum kit pedals could be operated or positioned to allow them to be controlled effectively.
2. To explore ways of supporting his arms in a playing position.

 
This is not the first time OHMI has participated in a Hackcessible challenge. In 2021, its collaboration with professional French Horn player and disabled musician Chris Griffiths, together with students at Newcastle University’s Engineering Department, led to the creation of a French Horn stand. The stand was chosen as the winner of Hackcessible’s 2021 make-a-thon.
 
So far, three students have teamed up to attempt to address Xavier’s challenge.  They have started to think of solutions and will discuss those online with Xavier before creating a prototype during the weekend Hackathon.
 
Best of Luck to Xavier and the team, and of course to all other Challengers to this year’s Competition!