da Vinci Award

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/13/2010 - 17:01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Robyn Gorell
Andrew Harris
Marx Layne & Company
(248) 855-6777
 
NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY & THE ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF DETROIT ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF 2003 da VINCI AWARDS™ 
 
Aiding those with disabilities is goal. New “Spirit of da Vinci™ Award” bestowed. Winners honored at “Dinner with da Vinci™,” Sept. 19 at Ford Field in Detroit 
 
Southfield, MI, August 14, 2003 — The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter (NMSS) and The Engineering Society of Detroit  (ESD) announced today the winners of the 2003 da Vinci Awards™. The winners will be recognized at the annual Dinner with da Vinci™ on September 19 at Ford Field in Detroit. 
 
The da Vinci Awards™ recognize individuals, organizations and corporations in the engineering, construction and technical realm whose design innovations have exceeded any legally mandated requirements, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Telecommunications Act of 1996, to further empower all people. 
 
Three years ago, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter and The Engineering Society of Detroit joined forces in an annual collaborative recognition venture. Their vision was to create an esteemed, nationally recognized event that celebrates outstanding engineering achievements relative to design process, product design and applied research related to accessibility and universal design issues. This has evolved into Dinner with da Vinci™. Each year, nominations are sought nationwide for the designs, which are subsequently judged. The winners and their achievements are recognized at the annual, prestigious event.
 
In 2003, for the first time, a special award has been added. The Spirit of da Vinci™ is being awarded to Ralf Hotchkiss, a scientist and teacher at San Francisco State University, who is a paraplegic as the result of a motorcycle accident. He has been a designer and inventor of wheeled mobility devices since the late 1950s, working with both high and low levels of technology. Despite his physical challenge, Hotchkiss has developed a program that teaches residents in third world countries to build wheelchairs economically using locally available materials.. 
 
Hotchkiss co-founded and currently is technical director of Whirlwind Wheelchair International (WWI) at San Francisco State University. WWI designs and builds the wheelchairs as well as teaching others how to. The goal is to build affordable, very sturdy wheelchairs that are strong enough to withstand the regional terrain in developing countries and are designed to be repaired easily by local tradespeople.
 
 Hotchkiss and WWI technicians and volunteers regularly visit those countries to train local residents to build the wheelchairs and start their wheelchair businesses. Hotchkiss has established a network of wheelchair builders in developing countries, and holds regular training courses both on and off campus. He has received numerous honors and awards and has published extensively. He is co-author of several books on product safety, and author of Independence Through Mobility, a manual for the design and manufacture of state-of-the-art, lightweight wheelchairs in developing countries.
 
“We have been extremely impressed by the high quality of the innovative technology and creative thinking of this year’s entries,” notes Don Goodwin, chair of the awards committee and DaimlerChrysler Vice President - ScientificLabs and Proving Grounds. “Because of their foresight and commitment to universal design, they are enhancing the lives of those with disabilities.” 
 
The 2003 winning entries were chosen in the following categories. 
 
Assistive Technology
 
1. Disney’s Handheld Captioning – developed by Walt Disney World Company, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 
An innovative program that provides synchronized captions via wireless technology for guests with hearing disabilities. Handheld Captioning devices receive infrared signals from transmitters located within specific rides and attractions at Walt Disney World Resort. Disney is exploring opportunities to make this technology available in venues outside of theme parks, including museums, movie theaters, tours and transportation. 
 
2. Miracle Mouse – developed by Maui Innovative Peripherals, Inc., Kihei, Hawaii
This is a head worn computer peripheral designed specifically to provide hands free computer control for individuals with mobility impairment. It is a complete plug-and-play system with its own software package that includes an advanced on-screen keyboard with word prediction/completion, short cut buttons to launch favorite programs, adjustable size and color, a collection of alternative keyboard presets and a floating toolbar. It is the first product to utilize Cymouse sensor technology with optical sensors to determine position and orientation in 3D space. 
 
3.  orbiTouch Keyless Keyboard- developed by Keybowl, Inc., Winter Park, Florida
The orbiTouch provides a high-accessibility alternative for the standard “QWERTY” keyboard for computer instruction, useful for those suffering from painful conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as those with vision, cognitive and physical disabilities.It forms letters by combining the positioning of its two domes – each of which can be positioned in the eight major directions of the compass. This algorithm provides for the ability to type 128 characters – the orbiTouch hand motions are similar to those found on a standard 120-key computer keyboard. This character formation process is easily adapted to many applications’ specific requirements as well as forthcoming support for languages other than English. 
 
Assistive Technology- Research
 
4.  University of Michigan ProCEED – designed by the University of Michigan, School of Engineering, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
ProCEED (Program for Community Engagement in Engineering Design) is a program aimed at encouraging students to use their developing engineering skills to help individuals with disabilities. Through this program, students work with sponsors to refine proposals, design equipment or systems and build prototypes that will assist those with disabilities. The students organize and manage themselves and the University provides facilities and faculty support.  ProCEED benefits people with disabilities in two ways.  First, the equipment that is built directly addresses the immediate needs of the project sponsors and people with similar needs. Second, students are introduced to engineering careers that support people with special needs
 
Facilities
 
5. Caretel Inns – designed by Caretel Inns of America, Royal Oak, Michigan
Caretel Inns of America offers nursing home residents with pleasant home-like surroundings, privacy and personal space with rooms that are appealing and have increased accessibility. The organization far exceeds government and nursing home regulations. Each resident is provided with a private, full access bath that is actually a large, handicapped accessible shower. Caretel redesigned the hallways to have visiting nooks and closed circuit TV monitors. There are many areas for residents and families to visit, including a porch, rock garden, circle walk and gazebo. Inside, there is even an ice cream parlor and hair salon available to the residents. 
 
Vehicular Mobility
 
6.  Men In Black: Alien Attack-ADA System – developed by Universal City Development Partners, Ltd., Orlando, Florida
Men in Black: Alien Attack is an interactive ride based on the hit movie. It is fully accessible, satisfying ADA regulations for ramps, elevators and other architectural requirements. The attraction features wheelchair accessible queues, remote-controlled closed captioning and digital assistive listening devices.  In addition, Universal has developed the Men in Black - ADA System which provides passengers with the full thrill of the ride and show while allowing them to utilize their own wheelchair.
 
The Spirit of da Vinci Award™ — Ralf Hotchkiss
 
 
Lifetime Achievement Award — Anthony Filippis, Sr. Royal Oak, Michigan
Anthony Filippis, Sr. is the co-founder of Wright & Filippis, which provides prosthetics, orthotics and healthcare equipment. As a young child, he suffered a devastating accident and lost both legs. He went on to co-found the company and has spent a lifetime assisting and advocating for those with disabilities. He developed a variety of sports programs for those with and without disabilities. He helped spearhead the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame. He and his company sponsor numerous nonprofit events, such as the Wheelchair Daze Picnic, the Gene Filippis Memorial (Play “Fore” Ability) Golf Benefit, Michigan Wheelchair Games, Hoops for the Troops, Fishing Derby for the Disabled and the Wheelchair Marathon Division of the Detroit Free Press  Marathon. Whenever he hears of a need in the community, Filipppis is ready to help. 
 
Filippis has received numerous awards, including the 2000 Gerald R. Ford Sports Person of the Year, the 2002 William Clay Ford Community Quarterback Award, the 2002 Alvin Foon Humanitarian Award from the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, the Joe Louis Humanitarian Award from Sports Illustrated and the 2001 American Park and Recreation Society Meritorious Service Citizen Award. He was chosen as Community Hero Torchbearer by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.
 
Lawrence E. Slimak, Managing Director of Corporate Programs at ESD, says, “The da Vinci Awards™ project recognizes individuals and companies who are helping the disabled overcome barriers in their lives. Their designs, products and applied research are setting an example for the designers of the future. By bringing these achievements to the forefront, the da Vinci Awards™ make a strong statement for universal design and for considering those with disabilities in the overall process.”
 
He adds, “We want to encourage others in the engineering, architectural, construction, technical, and other fields to follow their lead.”
 
Proceeds from the September 19 awards dinner, which is black-tie optional, will benefit the efforts of The Engineering Society of Detroit and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter to ensure an accessible environment for all individuals with disabilities through education, services, research and the continued support of both organizations’ missions. 
 
DaimlerChrysler is the presenting sponsor of the event. Diamond sponsors are Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Lear Corporation, Microsoft and Trilogy. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm is slated to attend.
 
Individual ticket prices begin at $300. Table prices begin at $3,000 and sponsorship opportunities are available. Cocktails and registration begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., the awards ceremony and dancing.
For more information, or to arrange tickets, please contact 248-350-0020, ext. 225.
 

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