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Melvin Fernando
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The Accessibility Design Competition is a student-focused initiative aimed at promoting workplace inclusiveness for people with disabilities. This competition invites students to collaborate with industry partners to develop innovative solutions that enhance accessibility in professional environments. Participants benefit from mentorship provided by both industry professionals and mentors with lived experience of disability. Throughout the competition, students gain valuable insights, guidance, and real-world feedback. Final entries are evaluated by a panel of judges from our industry partners, ensuring a strong connection between innovation and practical application.
Since the first event in 2020, ADC’s ultimate goal has been to embrace diversity and achieve a greater acceptance of differences among our communities.
The inspiration for this initiative came from witnessing the challenges our students with disabilities face in securing internships and full-time employment. Compared to their peers, they often experience significantly longer wait times for placements. When opportunities do arise, they frequently involve compromises—such as accepting roles within the university while others secure positions in industry.
For students without disabilities, the transition to full-time employment is promising, with success rates up to 80%. Encouragingly, there is growing awareness and support aimed at improving employment outcomes for students with disabilities as well. However, some still face challenges, such as finding roles that fully reflect their academic training and personal passions.
Family perceptions can also play a significant role in shaping opportunities. In certain cases, parents may feel uncertain about their child’s readiness for internships or employment. By fostering more inclusive mindsets and building confidence in students’ abilities, we can help open doors to meaningful experiences and reduce barriers to participation
What began as a small, internal project at RMIT has grown into a national movement. Now in its fourth season, the Accessibility Design Competition (ADC) has expanded to include 25 universities across Vietnam and has engaged over 70 industry partners as mentors and judges. The students have consistently delivered impressive, innovative solutions—many of which have caught the attention of industry leaders interested in testing these products in real-world markets. A number of teams have even progressed into incubation programs, with the goal of transforming their ideas into viable businesses.
Among these teams is the 4D BonDe, which started with a prototype of the Versatile Mechanical Joint System that won the runner-up prize in the 2023 ADC season. They continued their inspiring work beyond the competition, refining their prototype through ten additional rounds. Now, this multifunctional joint can assist with everyday activities such as holding cylindrical objects, using knives, eating with spoons, typing on a computer, and navigating with a mouse. The team recognized that prosthetic arms are often expensive and, in many cases, unsuitable for individuals with disabilities in Vietnam. This realization motivated the 4D team to create a multifunctional joint specifically designed for those with hand disabilities.
The ADC served as a launchpad for the 4D team, transforming them from strangers into dedicated collaborators committed to bringing their innovative products to life, as acknowledged in their remarks.