The Quality of Life Plus Program, known as QL+, was established in 2009 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to foster and generate innovations to aid and improve the quality of life of those who have served our country, to include military and first responders as well as public safety and intelligence professionals. The single greatest unmet need for America’s injured heroes is functional, affordable adaptive technologies. QL+ fills the gap of creating pioneering assistive technologies that are not currently on the market. Our assistive devices are based on human needs and not commercial viability. They might help one individual or many. QL+’s primary goal is to empower America’s wounded heroes to achieve full potential across all aspects of their lives.

The QL+ process begins with the recruitment of patriots with life-altering injuries and debilitating medical conditions. Our team works with these “Challengers” to understand the lifestyle limitations they endure as a result of their injuries. QL+ identifies specific obstacles in the Challenger’s life that can be eased or overcome through a custom assistive device or prosthetic modification – an innovative solution not otherwise available.

The QL+ staff then presents these projects, or “Challenges,” to our partner universities. Once accepted, our QL+ team connects the Challenger directly with the student team focused on his or her Challenge. Throughout the academic year, our QL+ program managers mentor, monitor, and support this unique collaboration between Challenger and student team. At the conclusion of the academic year, each team formally presents the completed assistive device or modified hardware to the Challenger for use in daily life and to the engineering department for accomplishment of the senior design course.