A PROPOSED MODEL OF AUTOMATED MACHINE FOR ASSISTING WHEELCHAIRS ON STAIRCASES AT BIGNAY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Abstract

This study investigates the design and implementation of an automated stair-climbing wheelchair system aimed at improving accessibility for students with disabilities at Bignay National High School. It focuses on overcoming the mobility barriers posed by staircases by customizing existing stair-climbing technology (Sadeghian et al., 2020) to the school’s specific environment. The proposed system prioritizes the needs of users and environmental factors, with the goal of fostering greater independence, safety, and inclusivity for wheelchair users. This study used a quantitative-experimental research approach with purposive sampling. A survey questionnaire was administered to two groups of respondents—five Electrical Engineers and five Mechanical Engineers—to assess the acceptability of the proposed model in terms of ease of use, reliability, functionality, features, and mechanical performance. The results of the investigation indicate that the proposed model is rated as "Highly Acceptable" based on the problem statement, data presentation, analysis, and interpretation. The Electrical Engineers recorded an overall weighted mean of 3.29, with a variance of 0.148, an alpha level of 0.05, degrees of freedom of 326, a critical t-value of 2.110, and a computed t-value of 0.162. Likewise, the Mechanical Engineers reported an overall mean of 3.58, variance of 0.056, the same alpha level and degrees of freedom, a critical t-value of 2.110, and a computed t-value of 0.162. Since the computed t-values for both groups are less than the critical t-value, their assessments are accepted. This indicates no significant difference between the evaluations of the two groups. Feedback from respondents highlighted the need to improve the wheelchair’s safety features, particularly for stair use. A reliable locking system to prevent slipping is essential, alongside the integration of advanced sensors, pressure sensors for surface detection, tilt sensors for stability monitoring, and touch sensors for more intuitive user control. These enhancements aim to enhance both safety and usability in various settings.