GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WBAY) – Children’s Wisconsin and Fox Valley Tech are coming together to build custom ride-on cars for kids with special needs. The partnership is celebrating a major milestone with the delivery of the 100th car to a pair of brothers.
How the program works
Students at Fox Valley Tech take base electric cars and adapt them to fit the specific needs of each child.
“Basically, we’re taking a base car so you could order a car off Amazon, anything like that. And then we just change the wiring up a bit,” said Jackson Hoerth, an electrical engineering student working on the project.
Go Baby Go! Fox Valley prepares its 99th and 100th custom vehicles for children with special needs.(WBAY)
Instead of having a foot pedal, students install a button to make it easier for children to use.
Students add a relay box that comes with a controller, giving parents the ability to control the car as well as the child.
Custom adaptations for each child
The cars include adaptive pieces like harnesses and headrests to make navigation easier for kids who need additional support.
“We add the harness for the children. We had a few other straps or supports on the sides for them. And then we’ll add a few other things depending on the child’s needs,” Hoerth said.
Go Baby Go! Fox Valley prepares its 99th and 100th custom vehicles for children with special needs.(WBAY)
Students use materials like pool noodles for side supports because they’re cheap, durable and easy to replace. Students also add booster seats or pads depending on the specifications they receive for each child.
Student volunteers
Hoerth is doing the work outside of his curriculum to help kids in the community who need the cars.
The pair of brothers will receive their cars later in the afternoon.
How to apply
Families who want to apply for a motorized vehicle can go to the Children’s Wisconsin website and find the application link on the Go Baby Go! page.
“Funding from the community donations are a huge part of making this possible,” said Amy Van Donsel, therapy manager at Children’s Wisconsin. “We have strong community support here in the Fox Valley. Our generous donors have really made this possible.”
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