SAE International Launches CivicProgress Challenge to Advance Accessible Mobility Solutions chevron right

Developed with General Motors, University Teams will Design Real-World Mobility Solutions for Wheelchair Users

WARRENDALE, Pa. (April 6, 2026) - SAE International^®, a global leader in connecting and educating mobility professionals, together with General Motors, announces a new multi-year student design competition aimed at advancing accessible mobility solutions for wheelchair users and people living with disabilities, the SAE CivicProgress Challenge™.

This unique virtual competition is designed to promote innovation and inclusion in automotive engineering and design, inviting university teams to propose and demonstrate accessible features for a non-dynamic vehicle platform. Participating teams will work with a GM-provided rolling chassis, known as the GM WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle), throughout the duration of the program.

The challenge invites students to utilize computer-aided design (CAD) software, simulation tools, and hands-on engineering to develop practical solutions that improve mobility, independence, and overall user experience. Teams will explore real-world challenges such as wheelchair access, securement systems, adaptive seating, and vehicle usability.

"The future of mobility must be accessible to everyone," said Alicia C. Bott, STEM Education Program Developer, SAE International. "The CivicProgress Challenge gives students the opportunity to apply their skills to meaningful, real-world problems while helping shape a more inclusive transportation ecosystem."

"Wheelchair accessibility cannot be an afterthought bolted onto a finished vehicle. It has to shape the architecture from the start," said Mandi Damman, Executive Engineer, Autonomous & Electric Vehicles, General Motors. "The CivicProgress Challenge invites students to reimagine how we design space, hardware, and interfaces around wheelchair users' needs, so that entering, securing, and traveling in a vehicle becomes easier, safer, and more intuitive. That's the kind of thinking that will raise the bar for accessible mobility across the industry."

The multi-year program emphasizes hands-on learning, industry collaboration, and real-world impact. Student solutions will be guided by SAE, GM, and RESNA standards, as well as insights from the disability community to ensure designs meet real user needs.

Why the CivicProgress Challenge Matters:

• Create real-world impact: Design solutions that improve independence and mobility for wheelchair users.
• Engineer for inclusion: Develop features such as ramps, restraints, and adaptive seating.
• Solve industry-driven challenges: Work within recognized standards to ensure practical application.
• Gain recognition: Present to industry experts and earn awards for innovation in accessible transportation.

The deadline for teams to submit their proposals is April 15, 2026.

A virtual information session for faculty advisors and students will be held on April 8, 2026, at 12 p.m. (ET). Registration is available at: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/civicprogress-challenge-shaping-the-future-of-inclusive-mobility-in-workforce-development-2026-04-01.

To learn more or apply, visit: https://www.sae.org/events/student/civicprogress-challenge.

About SAE International^®
SAE International is a global organization committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including award-winning programs like A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™. More at http://www.sae.org.

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SAE Media Contact:
Jeff Laskowski
SAE International
248.925.4770
[email protected]