2022 Universal Design Grand Challenge Student Awards

On Tuesday 15th November 2022, students from third-level colleges across Ireland presented their design projects at the Eighth annual Universal Design Grand Challenge Student Awards ceremony. The awards are an initiative of the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority, supported by Enterprise Ireland.

 UDGC 2022 Winners!

‘Pilldora: An Automated Medication Compliance Device’ wins the UDGC 2022 Peoples' Choice Award

The Peoples' Choice award, which was voted on by audience members, went to Jessica Chiamaka Okoye, Isabelle McGrath, Alex Kennedy, Toni Mockler and Reuban Ezra Strunz from Trinity College Dublin, for their design Pilldora: An Automated Medication Compliance Device, This project entails the design of an affordable automated medication compliance device. The World Health Organisation has reported the rate of medication adherence to be approximately 50% and of this percentage, 70% do not stick to their regime as a result of forgetfulness. Given the increase in the worldwide ageing population and the number of people with chronic illnesses that require extensive medication management regimes, this device will greatly ensure medication adherence and compliance. It will minimize health risks in sick individuals, maximise the impact of their medications and ensure their overall health and also that of the general population

 Course Tutor: Dr Caitríona Lally - Trinity College Dublin 

‘Síocháin – Adolescent Residential Addiction Rehabilitation Centre’ wins the UDGC 2022 Judges' Choice Award for Built Environment

The Judges' Choice Award for Built Environment went to Caoimhe Murphy and Marianne Kerbrat from, TUDublin, for their design Síocháin – Adolescent Residential Addiction Rehabilitation Centre’”. There is only one adolescent addiction residential rehabilitation centre across the whole of the Ireland today. This project is intended to provide a state of the art accessible addiction rehabilitation centre for young adults and adolescents. Through circular/sustainable, immersive, biophilic and biomorphic interior design strategies and the incorporation of a rewilding scheme, this project endeavours to create the ideal rehabilitation centre evoking a calming, nurturing atmosphere. The building's history, a reformatory where alleged abuses of children occurred - finds a new meaning, giving hope and help to young people.

 Course Tutor: Tracey Dalton - TU Dublin

 ‘EyeCare Assist’ wins the UDGC 2022 Judges' Choice Award for Products and Services.

The Judges' Choice Award for Products and Services went to Emily Whelan, Jack Harte, Harry Madden and Sam Meaney from University of Limerick, for their design Eyecare Assist. Administering eye drops can prove to be a difficult task with negative consequences to an individual’s self-confidence and can impact greatly on their daily life. Our product the “EyeCare Assist” is a universally sized eye drop application device that rests on the bridge of the nose. Using mechanical leverage and a lightweight design it reduces the need for pin-point accuracy, strength and steady hands that would usually be needed to administer eye drops. It works in conjunction with eye drop bottles and allows easy cleaning and virtually zero maintenance.

Course Tutor: Muireann McMahon - University of Limerick

'Pilldora: An Automated Medication Compliance Device' wins the UDGC 2022 Judges' Choice Award for Technology

The Judges' Choice Award for Technology went to Jessica Chiamaka Okoye, Isabelle McGrath, Alex Kennedy, Toni Mockler and Reuban Ezra Strunz from Trinity College Dublin, for their design Pilldora: An Automated Medication Compliance Device, This project entails the design of an affordable automated medication compliance device. The World Health Organisation has reported the rate of medication adherence to be approximately 50% and of this percentage, 70% do not stick to their regime as a result of forgetfulness. Given the increase in the worldwide ageing population and the number of people with chronic illnesses that require extensive medication management regimes, this device will greatly ensure medication adherence and compliance. It will minimize health risks in sick individuals, maximise the impact of their medications and ensure their overall health and also that of the general population

 Course Tutor: Dr Caitríona Lally - Trinity College Dublin 

'Pilldora: An Automated Medication Compliance Device' wins the UDGC 2022 Enterprise Ireland Universal Design Commercialisation Award

The Enterprise Ireland Universal Design Commercialisation Award went to Jessica Chiamaka Okoye, Isabelle McGrath, Alex Kennedy, Toni Mockler and Reuban Ezra Strunz from Trinity College Dublin, for their design Pilldora: An Automated Medication Compliance Device, This project entails the design of an affordable automated medication compliance device. The World Health Organisation has reported the rate of medication adherence to be approximately 50% and of this percentage, 70% do not stick to their regime as a result of forgetfulness. Given the increase in the worldwide ageing population and the number of people with chronic illnesses that require extensive medication management regimes, this device will greatly ensure medication adherence and compliance. It will minimize health risks in sick individuals, maximise the impact of their medications and ensure their overall health and also that of the general population

 Course Tutor: Dr Caitríona Lally - Trinity College Dublin 

Other Finalists on the Night were@

For the Judges' Choice Award for Built Environment

 

  • Design Name: The Old Steam Mill, Skibbereen
    • Student Lorna O’Callaghan
    • College and Course Name: Munster Technological University
    • Course Tutor: Dr Marc O Riain

  

  • Design Name: Marshmallow Housing - "The home of tomorrow for our seniors"
    • Student Name: Iulia Vechiu
    • College and Course Name: TU Dublin
    • Course Tutor: Tracy Dalton

For the Judges' Choice Award for Products and Services

  • Design Name: Wheelchair Door Assistive Device
    • Student Name: Daniel Byrne
    • College and Course Name: MSc Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin
    • Course Tutor: Michael Monaghan
  • Design Name: Fido - connecting neighbours, helping dogs, sharing moments
    • Student Name: Ciara McGowan
    • College and Course Name: IADT Dunlaoghaire
    • Course Tutor: Denise McEvoy

For the Judges' Choice Award for Technology

  • Design Name: Universal Design Building Information Modelling 
    • Student Name: Tessa O'Shaughnessy
    • College and Course Name: Technology of the University Shannon (TUS)
    • Course Tutor: Paul Vesey
  • Design Name: The Poetry of Emily Dickinson for Leaving Certificate Students: A Resource
    • Student Name: Sabrina Smart
    • College and Course Name: School of English, Irish and Communication, University of Limerick
    • Course Tutor: Dr Ann Marcus-Quinn