The success of AbleLink's participation in the Inclusive Design Challenge, culminating in a 2nd-place finish and $700,000 prize, was in large part due to the work of the Project Steering Committee. These individuals, representing the best in research, academia, travel training, and real-life home environments, served for two years on the project. The variety of perspectives and contributions from the Committee members helped to shape the research and development process. AbleLink has continued to collaborate with their various project partners and several capabilities prototyped during their Inclusive Design Challenge project have moved from prototype to deployment. A key enhancement to the WayFinder Ride ecosystem is the first cognitively accessible learning management system (LMS), designed for self-directed use by individuals with cognitive disabilities and others with special needs. This transportation training system is now in use throughout the state of Tennessee. In addition, the currently deployed WayFinder application has been enhanced with features developed during the Challenge such as accessible picture-based communications, an integrated live map, and other enhancements that provide more information to travelers with a wide range of cognitive disabilities. The team is exploring collaborations to use their system to facilitate micro-transit deployments in multiple states through use of driverless shuttles which are used by individuals with disabilities to access the community in a more independent fashion.

Click here to learn more about AbleLink's participation in the Challenge.

Project Steering Committee

Carmen DiGiovine - The Ohio State University; RESNA
Sandra Metzler - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University
Maggie Nygren - Executive Director, AAIDD
Ben Satterfield - Tools for Life, Georgia Institute of Technology
Blake Satterfield - Self-Advocate (Lawrenceville, GA)
Pat Satterfield - Parent / Advocate (Lawrenceville, GA)
Jill Shelton - Cognitive Aging, Learning, and Memory Lab; University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Shaleea Shields - Chief Executive Officer, LumiCare (Erdenheim, PA)
John Shutko - Technical Lead - Human Factors, Autonomous Vehicles; Ford Motor Company
Shea Tanis - Beach Center on Disability; University of Kansas
John Waterman - Executive Director, PEAC (Ypsilanti, MI)
Mike Wehmeyer - Director, Beach Center on Disability; University of Kansas