What is this newsletter and why am I receiving it? - This newsletter is the official voice of Stanford's assistive technology course, Perspectives in Assistive Technology. Over the next eight months it will provide you, a community member who has expressed an interest in this course, with information about upcoming course events including lectures, tours, and student project presentations. This and future newsletters will solicit project suggestions, describe opportunities to become involved with the course, and announce other local assistive technology events. How do I unsubscribe from this newsletter? - If you are no longer interested in receiving this information, just communicate that desire in an email reply to be removed from the list. What is the course? - Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter (starting in January 2015) course at Stanford that explores the design, development, and use of assistive technology benefitting people with disabilities and older adults. The course consists of twice-weekly classroom discussions; lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users; tours of local medical, clinical, and engineering facilities; and an assistive technology faire. Enrolled students pursue individual or team-based projects that address the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities in the local community. Much more information about the course can be found on its website, including the syllabus, frequently asked questions, and students' comments. What is being planned for this coming academic year's course? - In addition to encores of many of the excellent lectures presented in past years, several new ones are under consideration. A visit to the Magical Bridge Playground, an innovative inclusive accessible public playground designed for children of all abilities in Palo Alto's Mitchell Park, is being organized. Finally this year's Third Annual Assistive Technology Faire will provide an opportunity for students and community members to get a close look at products demonstrated by local companies, medical centers, and users with disabilities. Are you an interested in attending a lecture? - Athough official enrollment is required for Stanford students to receive academic credit, all classroom lectures are open to the greater Stanford community. You need not be a Stanford student to attend, there is no signup required, and there is no charge. A draft schedule of class lectures will be created and posted as the start of classes approaches. Subsequent newsletters will announce upcoming lectures. Do you have an idea for an assistive technology project? - Although there are already many candidate projects rolled over from prior years and a few new projects for this year's class, you are encouraged to submit your project suggestions for consideration. Visit the Course Project Solicitation webpage for a description of project requirements. If your project is accepted, you can "pitch" it to the class during the second class session. If a student team chooses it, you will then have the opportunity to offer them advice, direction, and expertise in person, or by phone, and/or email. Would you like to support the course? - Funding in any amount for the course and student projects is always welcomed. Monetary gifts support approved project expenses, administrative costs, honoraria for guest lecturers, and the end-of-term celebration. Refer to the Team Project Support webpage for more information. Please contact me if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about the course and thank you again for your interest. Dave
Do you have a question or comment? - David L. Jaffe, MS, the course instructor, can be reached by email or at 650/892-4464. |
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