About Us

Awards: Power of Possibility

Bill Johnson 2009 Power of Possibility Award Recipient

Laptop docking station project

Anthony Micallef, a first year student at Carleton University in Ottawa, had a vision for a device that would allow him greater independence while away at school. With limited mobility in his arms, Anthony was looking for a mechanism that would allow him to independently use his laptop and have a place to store it to keep it charged when it isn’t in use. He envisioned a docking station where he could load and unload the laptop independently. 

After being told this type of device could not be done, Anthony approached Bill Johnson, Senior Model Maker at Bloorview with the project.  With no commercial system on the market to address Anthony’s needs, Bill took on the challenge with enthusiasm. 

With Anthony away at school, Bill had to complete the docking station without having Anthony, or his chair available for sizing.  Ever resourceful, Bill created a mock up system in his model shop before Anthony left for school to use as a template for the docking station.  Once the docking station was complete, Bill took the docking station to Ottawa and assembled it in Anthony’s dorm room.  The result:  immediate success! Anthony was able to use the docking station instantly without any trouble. 

“The docking station has given me so much freedom.  If it’s late at night and I want to check my e-mail, I just do it.  I go on my computer pick it up and do what I have to do – even if it’s 40 minutes, or 40 seconds.  I’m really happy that I found someone who found a way to do what I wanted to get done,” says Anthony Micallef.

The device allows Anthony the freedom he sought.  It will have a lasting impact on his independence at school, home and eventually, in the workplace. 

The docking station was able to work with Anthony’s chair because the chair raises and lowers.  As this capability is not common in many chairs, Bill plans to adapt the device so it can be used with virtually any wheelchair.  Bill plans to take his innovation to various seating conferences, including the 2012 International Seating Conference. 

“I hope to be able to help many many more youth and adults like Anthony in their quest for independence,” says Bill.  

As more and more students with disabilities attend colleges and universities, the need for attendants to assist them with daily activities will increase.  Bill’s innovation will not only increase the independence of these students, but will also decrease the strain on the system a greater demand for attendants creates.

Congratulations to Bill for this wonderful and innovative solution that will have a lasting impact on the lives of young students!    

• 
• 
• 

Select Text Size

• Adjust text size: Small Aa
• Adjust text size: Medium Aa
• Adjust text size: Large Aa