Researchers at the University of Deleware are working to develop robotic vehicles that they believe could help young disabled children by allowing them to explore their environment. According to Cole Galloway, a physical therapy professor, this mobility is important to a child’s development because “as soon as you’re reaching, as soon as you’re walking, your cognition explodes.” This suggests that many disabled children may be missing out developmentally because they often are not given a power-chair or other powered mobility option until the age of 3 or later.

Speaking from experience, Ruth Everard of Cambridge, England expressed her support of the Delaware researchers. Ruth has type 2 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and was less than 2 years old when her father designed a power chair for her that lead to the creation of Dragonmobility Ltd, which now produces multiple kinds of power chairs for individuals of differing ages and abilities. Ruth hopes that the work in Delaware will add to the “existing body of knowledge about mobility and the developmental needs of children.” She said, “I find it tiring that I’m still being told it’s cutting edge, and I’m 28.”

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