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Nine teams of engineering students from The University of Western Australia have unveiled their "dream" solutions for people living with a disability.

UWA engineering graduate Darren Lomman, founder and CEO of Dreamfit Foundation, said the teams had worked hard all year to design, build and test their Dreamcatcher program solutions.

The Dreamcatcher program calls for not-for-profit disability organisations to submit a representative to win one of three custom engineering solutions designed by the students.

The three recipients of this year's Dreamcatcher solutions, Sladjana Mijailovic, Imran Ariff and Karen Anderson, represent a wide range of leisure and recreation interests across the West Australian disability sector.

• Twelve-year-old Sladjana's dream is to be able to paint and draw by herself, something her meningitis-induced quadriplegia doesn't allow.
• Imran is a highly independent young man with cerebral palsy who dreams of being able to complete a gym workout on his own.  Imran's workout at his local gym, strengthens his mind, body and soul and is an important part of integration into the community.
• Karen is an avid water skier and mother.  Living with cerebral palsy, she is passionate about sharing her experiences and sense of freedom on the water with other people living with disabilities.

In partnership with Dreamfit, UWA engineering students volunteer to work on innovative projects and also receive course credit for their project work.  They are supported by sponsors and industry mentors to work in an environment that encourages innovation and lateral thinking.

"We are thrilled to have some of WA's leading engineering firms involved with the project, not just as financial sponsors but having their staff involved as mentors to the UWA engineering students," Mr Lomman said.

"Our thanks go to Apache Energy, Arup, Camco Engineering, Cliffs, Hatch, Raytheon, SKM and two of Wood Group's businesses for their generous and enthusiastic approach to our program."

Media references

Vanessa Bradshaw (Dreamfit)  (+61 4) 14 717 126
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716