Students Design and Present Adapted Dart Launcher
By Addie Dyer, journalism student
Four kinesiology seniors hit a bull's-eye with a dart launcher adapted for use by people with physical disabilities.
The device resulted from a partnership between the kinesiology and mechanical engineering departments. During the design process, kinesiology students considered the ergonomics of a potential device and users' physical capabilities.
"The entire point of adapting a physical game is to make it as similar to the actual game as possible," said Kevin Bezerra (B.S, Kinesiology, 2012), part of a team that presented the dart launcher at a state conference on adapted technology in February 2012. "They play with the same darts, the same board, the same points, and the same rules."
The adapted dart launcher uses an air pump and an adjustable handle to perform the movement of throwing the dart, but the player must still provide the skill.
"We look for activities in which someone with profound physical disabilities could participate tacitly and cognitively and in which all players would be on an even playing field except for the differences in physical abilities," said Kevin Taylor, chair of the Kinesiology Department.
"We chose to present the dart launcher because we wanted to encourage physical activity, promote inclusion, and create the least restrictive environment for individuals with profound disabilities," said Kelly Leggoe, one of the student presenters. "We wanted to educate individuals on our product, to let them know what technology is available, and get their feedback on it."
The audience seemed interested in the dart launcher for both recreational and professional use, according to Leggoe. "One member of the audience was a physical education teacher. He was really intrigued by the launcher and said that he could think of at least eight different students of his that would love to use it," she said.
The development of the dart launcher was funded by a National Science Foundation grant. Under the terms of the grant, the device must be given to the client for whom it was built, in this case the Friday Club, a collaboration between kinesiology students and Special Olympians, and the Special Olympics.
"Things like the launcher really do make a difference in the disabled community, which is a part of our world that most people often forget to include," Leggoe said. "What I find most amazing about the launcher is that it really does increase people's self-esteem, self-worth and self-efficacy."