Article by Kathryn Trupia
Assistive Medical Technologies (AMT) provides accessible devices to families of children with motor impairments.
Meet Assistive Medical Technologies (AMT), a disabilities advocacy group that provides custom technological devices for children with physical disabilities. AMT gives students opportunities to apply engineering skills in a hands-on approach, while making a positive impact to the local community.
“Everything we make is at no cost to the families and individuals we assist,” said senior Kevin Foerster, president of AMT. “Our technologies enable people to enjoy life, and gain greater independence.”
While AMT provides technology to all ages, their primary focus is young children with motor impairments. From beach wheelchairs to an assistive whack-a-mole game, members design, construct and distribute accessible devices to the children and their families. The organization collaborates with physical therapists to make sure the designs are adjustable and meet proper requirements.
“Our goal is to simplify movement,” said Foerster. “For example, a tap of a soccer ball activates a leaf blower to shoot on an ‘active’ goalie, which is an arduino car that drives back and forth.”
The organization recently hosted their annual workshop on campus on Saturday, Dec. 7, where members built accessible children’s electric cars. This year’s event featured guest speaker John Stoklosa, a Delaware-native powerlifter with Down syndrome who serves as an advocate for those with disabilities.
Families were invited to the workshop to test the cars and take them home. For Foerster, witnessing the community impact of his designs was inspiring. “The idea that my work will be beneficial and useful to someone motivates me to create products of the highest quality,” he said.
Faculty advisor Fabrizio Sergi, Associate Professor for the department of biomedical engineering, also appreciates seeing the real-world impact of AMT.
“It is always very moving to see the joy in the eyes of the children,” said Sergi. “The involvement of AMT members has a psychological effect on the families, who see a hardworking and caring group of students.”
While AMT focuses on utilizing engineering concepts to construct the devices, students from all majors are welcome. Senior Jackson Tomasco, a nursing major, values the work he contributes to the organization.
“As a non-engineering major, I find that AMT gives me the opportunity to engage with my passion for hands-on work,” said Tomasco. “It is a part of what got me into AMT, and is a part of what makes me come back every week.”
When thinking about his time as president, Foerster feels inspired that his work as an undergraduate student is changing the world.
“I have learned how to bring people together to accomplish positivity within the community,” said Foerster. “It has been the most rewarding engineering process I have been a part of.”