A therapeutic horse riding aid intended for children with autism has scooped all of the top awards at the Universal Design Grand Challenge (UDGC).
IT Carlow Product Design Innovation graduate Jack Gregan was awarded the people’s choice, judges’ choice, and the Enterprise Ireland universal design commercialisation awards.
Gregan received a perpetual trophy and €1,000 in prize money for each of the people’s and judges’ choice awards. Furthermore, IT Carlow will receive funding of up to €15,000 fro Enterprise Ireland to explore the device’s commercial potential.
The design of a therapeutic horse riding aid can be used in equine therapy, which is growing in popularity as an activity for children with autism.
Feeling the movements in the muscles of the horse and experiencing the textures and tactile nature of the activity has proven very beneficial in equine therapy. However, a standard horse riding saddle detaches the child from the horse. The project is an alternative to the saddle and ensures the stability of the rider while enhancing all the benefits of equine therapy.
“IT Carlow was the first third level institute in the country to offer product design courses in the early ‘70s and our students have played a large part in Ireland’s design landscape,” said Hilary Dempsey, Gregan’s tutor from DesignCore, IT Carlow. “It is fitting that one of our students is honoured just as past graduates of design from IT Carlow are returning to their Alma Mater this weekend to celebrate their success stories.”
The Universal Design Grand Challenge Student Awards is run by the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, NDA. It invites third level students in their final two years of study, post grads and recent graduates to enter their best student project to compete for two National Universal Design Student Awards and, for this year, the special optional prize of the universal design commercialisation award supported by Enterprise Ireland.
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