Winter Quarter 2010 Course Announcement

David L. Jaffe, MS and Professor Drew Nelson
Tuesdays & Thursdays   4:15pm - 5:30pm
William Gates Computer Science Building, Toshiba Classroom, Room B12 (lower level)

Course Overview

Perspectives in Assistive Technology explores issues surrounding the design, development, and use of assistive technology for people with disabilities.

This three-unit course consists of twice-weekly one-hour lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and users and participation in a team-based project that addresses a need of an individual with a disability. Students submit short assignments, attend weekly team meetings, and present their team's design solution.

Lectures are open to all students and community members.

For students whose schedule does not permit working on a team-based project, a one-unit lecture-only option is offered.

In ENGR110/210, students:

• Learn about issues facing entrepreneurs, clinicians, and individuals with disabilities in the design, development, and use of assistive technology
• Engage in a team design experience that includes need finding, project identification, and design
• Interact with users of assistive technology, coaches, and project partners
• Use engineering and design skills to help people with disabilities increase their independence and improve their quality of life

Students can pursue further prototyping, fabrication, user testing, and iterative design for credit in the Spring Quarter as an independent study project (for graduate students) or a senior project in ME113 or CS194.