The da Vinci Awards recently presented the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously to Braun Corporation founder and CEO Ralph Braun, according to a recent news release. The awards serve as an international forum intended to recognize the latest developments and research in adaptive and assistive technologies and benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society’s Michigan Chapter.
Braun’s daughters, Cherie Braun Diaz and Melissa Braun Dennis reportedly accepted the award during the ceremony at the Ford Conference and Event Center in Dearborn, Mich. A release published the da Vinci Awards emphasizes that Bruan, “has left a permanent legacy in the mobility community,” calling Braun a pioneer of an industry geared toward providing freedom to individuals worldwide.
The release notes that additional honorees included Jeremy Campbell, Team US Gold Medalist, 2012 London Paralympic Games, who received a special 2013 Spirit of da Vinci Award for his accomplishments and ongoing advocacy for individuals with disabilities.
Nominations for the year prior to the awards were also accepted nationwide and worldwide for innovations in five disability-related fields, which included communication/educational aids, according to the release. AbleGamers’ 48-page fully illustrated guide “Includification,” was recognized in this category. The guide details how to design videogames for the disability community.
The release reports that in environmental adaptation/daily living or work aids, Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway, a department of natural resources (DNR) forest trail that takes visitors to a publicly owned, universally accessible waterfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula was recognized.
The bebionic3—A Helping Hand, a multi-articulating myo-electric prosthetic hand from RSLSteeper, a UK-based upper extremity prosthetic manufacturer in the UK was spotlighted in the category of prosthetics/orthotics/control.
The release notes that in the category of recreation and leisure, Madonna ICARE by Sports Art was recognized. The release notes that the Madonna ICARE is a therapeutic, motorized, elliptical trainer used in hospitals, fitness facilities, and homes to assist individuals of all abilities in regaining or improving their ability to walk and enhance their cardiovascular fitness.
Caroline’s Cart was recognized in the category of transportation and mobility. The device is a special needs shopping cart for older children and adults with special needs designed to allow them to shop in grocery stores and retailers with their families and caregivers.
A biomedical engineering graduate student team from the University of Rochester was also recognized, winning the Student of da Vinci Award for the MonoMano Cycling Control System. The system is engineered to allow stroke patients, upper extremity amputees, and additional individuals with the use of a single functional arm to participate in the sport of cycling.
Source: Braun Corporation
