The Canadian Tank Museum is proud to announce the official launch of Project Uplift, the world’s first accessibility lift system allowing individuals who are mobility challenged or physically disabled to safely and comfortably board an armoured personnel carrier while remaining in their wheelchair.
Project Uplift will be unveiled during Aquino Tank Weekend, July 25, 2025 @ 10am, at the Canadian Tank Museum, marking a historic step in making military history experiences truly accessible to all.
“Project Uplift is more than a device; it’s a promise that everyone, regardless of physical ability, can share in the sights, sounds, and joy of a tank ride,” said Mitchell McFarlane, Project Uplift Manager. “This project ensures dignity, inclusion, and joy, creating memories that many of us have taken for granted.”
Project Uplift has been three years in the making, driven by a moment when McFarlane witnessed a young boy in a wheelchair unable to join his brother on a tank ride. From that moment, the museum committed to removing barriers and making the unique experience of riding in an armoured vehicle accessible to everyone, including children, veterans, and those with physical challenges.
The lift system, now patent pending, will be provided free of charge to museums and organizations worldwide upon patent approval, allowing others to replicate the system and expand accessibility in their communities.
The success of Project Uplift was made possible through a fully community-funded effort, exceeding its fundraising goal by nearly 60%, powered by online donations and gaming community fundraisers. Key contributors to the project include Thumbprint Solutions Inc., Gowlings WLG, Q-Straint, Wounded Warriors Canada, The Abilities Centre, and numerous community gaming personalities such as BTed, Talktomegoose, Sofilein, and Tragic, along with the global Wargaming community.
All participating companies and teams in the development of Project Uplift are Canadian, making this innovation not only a world first but truly Canadian at heart.
Aquino Tank Weekend 2025 attendees will be among the first to see Project Uplift in action, demonstrating the lift’s seamless integration with the museum’s armoured personnel carriers while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Event Details:
📅 July 25, 2025 @ 10:00am
📍 Canadian Tank Museum, 1000 Stevenson Rd N, Oshawa, Ontario
Project Uplift demonstrates what is possible when a community comes together to remove barriers and create meaningful, inclusive experiences. The Canadian Tank Museum invites all media, accessibility advocates, veterans’ organizations, and the public to witness this milestone in accessibility and inclusion during Aquino Tank Weekend.
