While most people associate innovation with high-tech gadgets and apps, sometimes all it takes is a simple idea to effect drastic change. That’s how one student group from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education recently addressed barriers to physical activity for those with physical disabilities.
As part of this year’s Innovative Designs for Accessibility Student Competition (IDeA), the group proposed that high school students spend 10 of their 40 mandatory volunteer hours at adapted physical activity facilities and organizations.
“People with disabilities are often hesitant to participate in physical activity because of others’ negative attitudes,” says undergraduate Christman Hsu. “We wanted to bring these individuals and the general population together so that we can break down barriers and change attitudes.”
The team showcased their idea at the Ontario Centres of Excellence’s Discovery 2016 Conference, which features entrepreneurial innovations and attracts business, government, technology and accessibility leaders from across the province. This year 3,000 people attended the two-day event at Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
As part of the conference the IDeA competition, hosted by the Council of Ontario Universities, challenged students to create innovative solutions for accessibility related issues.
The Faculty’s team presented their idea, called the High School Move-ABLE project, at the tradeshow and also gave a 90-second elevator pitch. Hsu and fellow team members Devante Estick and Arvin Santos were one of eight groups of finalists chosen out of 32 from across Ontario.
“Even though we didn’t place in the top three, it was really exciting to see everyone’s ideas and to interact with innovation leaders,” says Hsu. “We also got to meet the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario – we were happy to be selected as finalists for such a high-profile event.”
The idea to compete in the contest came from Professor Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos’s fourth-year Adapted Physical Activity class. To prepare for the big event, the group closely consulted with Ben Poynton, who is the Senior Coordinator of U of T’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Office (AODA).
“I wanted to assign a project where students could pitch their ideas for real world innovations in accessibility and physical activity,” says Arbour-Nicitopoulos. “This project easily fits into the pre-existing high school framework and also influences a huge population at a time when they’re forming perceptions.”
In the future, she plans to continue running this contest in her class and to further collaborate with U of T's AODA Office.
“This year’s project got attention from Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute and Variety Village, an inclusive sports and life skills facility in Toronto. This is just the start of a much larger conversation. I’m so proud of our team, and I’m looking forward to seeing what ideas come from next year’s contest.”