Creating Access Through Innovation

What started out as an inaccessible gaming table has turned into an accessible and innovative experience thanks to a collaboration between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and Lehigh University.

It began with efforts between Good Shepherd recreation therapist Kelly Corrigan, CTRS, Lehigh’s Brian Slocum, and two engineering students, Meghan Kiernan and Mackenzie Donald.

Long-term care residents at Good Shepherd Home – Bethlehem, a 24-7 nursing home for 60 residents living with disabilities such as spinal cord injury, were initially interested in the infinity gaming table. The table acts like a large digital tablet, allowing people to play games, such as chess and checkers. However, residents quickly encountered challenges. Residents could not get under the table or move the screen to avoid the glare from the lights on the ceiling due to their wheelchairs.

“When I first brought it here and explained it, residents were really interested,” Corrigan said. “But when they started trying to play the games, they immediately got discouraged because they couldn’t see it or come at it sideways.”

After seeing residents’ frustration firsthand, Corrigan reached out to the Good Shepherd Learns and Creates team and began the process of applying for an Innovation Grant. The application process helped her to fully articulate not only what changes were needed, but why the project mattered and who it would impact.

Ultimately, Corrigan connected with Slocum at Lehigh University’s Engineering Program.

“It wasn’t this huge project, but it was an impactful project,” Corrigan said.

Kelly invited two residents at Good Shepherd Home – Bethlehem, Butch and Gail, to share feedback and help shape the project. Together with the Lehigh students, they became an essential part of the design process.

Kiernan and Donald were intentional with their questions and made sure Butch and Gail knew their voices were heard throughout development. The residents also raised considerations Corrigan had not thought of. After presenting several table options to the Good Shepherd team, Kiernan and Donald spent several months finalizing the design.

“It is really nice to see an issue and be able to address it and come up with a solution and then see it to fruition,” Corrigan said.

In April 2026, Gail, Butch and Corrigan took a trip to Lehigh University’s Wilbur Powerhouse to test the completed table and bring it home to Good Shepherd Home – Bethlehem.

The table’s biggest improvements are enhanced accessibility and adjustability. Residents can now comfortably position their wheelchairs underneath the table. The table’s height can be raised or lowered to meet the individual’s needs. In addition, it can be tilted forward or backward, allowing residents to view and interact with the screen easier than before.

One of the greatest benefits of the partnership with Lehigh University is the continued support. If adjustments are needed in the future, including automatic features for the table, the team at Lehigh is ready to help adapt the design.

Reflecting on the impact the table has had on residents, Corrigan said: “It’s the best part because for a lot of the residents that live here, their worlds are small in comparison to yours or mine. A lot of things only happen in the confines of this space, so they don’t always have the opportunity to try different activities. This is a really neat thing because for a lot of residents, this is like a whole new world for them.”

“It’s creating that opportunity for socialization,” she said.

Since bringing the infinity table home, residents have had a lot of success, often playing for 15-30 minutes at a time. What began as a challenge turned into a year-long collaboration with Lehigh centered on accessibility, innovation and inclusion.

“It’s awesome to have another tool in our toolbox of ways that we can make leisure and recreation accessible for our residents,” Corrigan said.