Churchill Fellow David Barbalet is driven by a simple goal: improving mobility and independence for people with disabilities through better assistive technology. Based in Canberra, David designs and manufactures advanced carbon fibre products including crutches, transfer boards and wheelchairs, combining engineering, ergonomics and user-centred design to reduce fatigue and improve everyday outcomes for users.
For more than 15 years, David has developed bespoke assistive technologies through his practice, Carbon Adaptive. His work focuses on creating lightweight, durable and highly customised products that improve mobility while also reducing waste through longer product life cycles. A 2024 University of Canberra Churchill Fellowship allowed David to expand this work by learning from world-leading experts in advanced composites and precision manufacturing in the United States and Canada
During his Fellowship, David investigated how to transition from producing one-off prototypes to establishing commercially viable, repeatable manufacturing processes for assistive technology. His research focused on the relationship between innovation, manufacturing technologies, ergonomics, and sustainable business growth. In Seattle, he worked alongside Common Fibres, a specialist carbon fibre manufacturer producing components for hypercars and aviation. In Montréal, he joined Revolution Sports, a company founded by Paralympic athletes specialising in adaptive sports equipment and racing wheelchairs.
The Fellowship provided David with hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing, precision engineering and scalable production systems. He also met with Paralympic athletes, coaches and innovation leaders to better understand the barriers faced by athletes who rely on imported specialist equipment. His findings highlighted the need for reliable, locally made assistive technology and the importance of building sovereign manufacturing capability in Australia.
As part of the Impact Funding attached to his University of Canberra sponsored Fellowship, David will now progress the next stage of his work: designing, certifying and manufacturing a racing wheelchair in Canberra. The project aims to establish a sustainable stream of Australian-made products for elite para-athletes, reducing reliance on overseas suppliers and improving access to world-class, custom-fit equipment.
Drawing directly on the technical knowledge and industry relationships developed during his Fellowship, David’s project will support Australian athletes in the lead-up to the 2028 Paralympics and beyond. More broadly, the work aims to strengthen Australia’s capability in advanced assistive technology manufacturing, ensuring more people can access high-quality equipment designed and built locally.