University of Detroit Mercy students create assistive devices to aid disability community

April 23, 2026

University of Detroit Mercy's Faces on Design program pairs engineering and nursing students with community members who have disabilities to create customized assistive devices. Over seven months, student teams developed personalized tools for three clients, including Richard Dries, a roofer paralyzed from the waist down after a 2014 workplace fall. Dries' team created a lightweight, multi-purpose reaching device with seven interchangeable attachments to help him grasp and retrieve items more effectively than existing commercial grabbers.

Who is affected

Richard Dries (roofer paralyzed from the waist down since 2014)
Bobbi Stevens (person with post-polio syndrome)
Mefi Barrera (person with post-polio syndrome)
University of Detroit Mercy engineering students (Marino Bachi, Jezelle Manni, Andy Trupiano, Zane Hitch)
University of Detroit Mercy nursing students (Mariana Mati and others)
Community members with disabilities who participate in the program

What action is being taken

Student teams are working with three clients to develop personalized assistive technology devices
Students are presenting their finished products at a campus event
The teams are delivering the completed devices to their clients
Students are attempting to establish a framework for a student-run nonprofit to continue development work

Why it matters

This program addresses a critical gap in available assistive technology by creating personalized solutions that commercial products cannot provide. It demonstrates how educational institutions can fulfill their mission of compassionate service while giving students real-world product development experience. The initiative combines technical innovation with human-centered design, ensuring that people with disabilities receive tools specifically tailored to their unique needs. The program also develops future professionals who understand the importance of using their skills ethically and compassionately to serve others.

What's next

The current team wants the faculty to continue their work with next year's group of seniors
Students are working to establish a student-run nonprofit framework for future students to continue developing ideas and helping others
Final decisions about program continuation rest with the faculty

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com