Welcome to the second edition of  Perspectives,  the e-newsletter of the Stanford course Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

This update of course events encourages your participation through your attendance at lectures and involvement in student projects.

Guest lecturer schedule - The schedule of guest lecturers has been finalized. The presenters are a diverse collection of notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users. Topics vary from an overview of assistive technology to design challenges to product commercialization to research studies to device fabrication to wheelchair fabrication in developing countries. See the schedule on the course website for the complete list. The lectures are open to the greater Stanford community - you need not be a student to attend.

Students - Enrollment has been very strong this year considering there is another month before the start of the Winter Quarter. The class includes freshmen to fourth year graduate engineering students from various disciplines as well as a few non-engineering students.

Class tours - There will be class tour of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System including a lecture by Dr. Graham Creasey, Chief of the Spinal Cord Injury Service, a visit to its therapy area, demonstration of a driving simulator, and walk through of an adapted van.

A second tour will take the class to Menlo Park to Willow Garage, makers of advanced robotic systems. In addition to a facilty tour, Steve Cousins, CEO of Willow Garage, will discuss applications of their robots to the needs of people with disabilties and seniors.

Classroom - The class is very fortunate to have been assigned a very large, tiered, accessible classroom in the Main Quad. Maps and directions to the classroom can be found online.

Last call for student project ideas - A number of good student project ideas have already been submitted. Additional suggestions are solicited, especially those accompanied by support for project expenses. See the course webpages for project requirements and support. Coaches and assistive technology users who can advise students are sought.

First class session - The first class on Tuesday, January 4th will cover an overview of the course and introduction to assistive technology. All lectures (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:15pm) are open to the public.

Do you have a question or comment? - David L. Jaffe, MS, the course organizer, can be reached by email or at 650/892-4464.