Atlas logo

ATLAS

Assistive
Technology 
Laboratory
at
Stanford

 
 
Technology and design benefitting individuals with disabilities and older adults in the local community
September 29, 2017    
2 columns of images relating to assistive technology
Perspectives is the newsletter of the Stanford course,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

Confirmed Field Trip & Upcoming Local Events

Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - now anticipating its twelfth year - that explores the design, development, and use of assistive technology that benefits people with disabilities and older adults. It consists of semi-weekly classroom discussions; lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users; tours of local medical, clinical, and engineering facilities; student project presentations and demonstrations; an assistive technology faire; and a film screening. Organization of the coming year's course is underway, with the first class session in January.

Request for additional student project suggestions - Project suggestions are continuing to be solicited. Refer to previous newsletter issues which described the benefits of and process for submitting a student project suggestion, addressed the broad requirements of those projects, explained the suggestion format, and focused on the specific activities that lead to a project suggestion. Also see the Call for Team Projects Suggestions webpage for more information. Please email suggestions to me as soon as possible so I'll have adequate time to consider all submissions, edit approved entries, and post them - not later than Friday, December 1st.

This course relies on community involvement,
so please suggest a project based upon an identified problem or challenge.

Confirmed Field Trip

photo of SCI - Building 7

Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System

Field Trip to the Spinal Cord Injury / Disorder Center - "The Spinal Cord Injury / Disorder (SCI/D) Center at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System is a CARF accredited rehabilitation center. We are affiliated with the Stanford University School of Medicine and have been serving patients since 1974. We provide rehabilitation, specialized services, and coordinate lifetime care for veterans and active duty military with injury or disease of the spinal cord in many of the western states of the US. We promote early mobilization, maximum function, and prevention of complications. Our program addresses potential barriers to SCI/D rehabilitation by successfully managing patients with behavioral / psychological needs including adjustment and mood disorders, substance abuse, PTSD, and cognitive problems. We utilize a patient-centered focus that includes cultural issues related to ethnicity, sexual orientation, and personal beliefs." Due to space limitations, this field trip is open to enrolled students only.

Upcoming Local Events

Grand Challenges logo
Generation Lab logo

Aging 2.0 Grand Challenges

The Silicon Valley Technology for Aging Series is presented by Aging 2.0 Palo Alto and the Avenidas Generations Lab and focuses on employing digital technology to address the real problems facing older adults.

Local information and communications technology innovators are working to digitally connect, engage, and network older adults, the largest healthcare subpopulation group and the fastest growing consumer market group. At this event, participating startups and product developers will present on Personal Data & Collaborative Communications Technologies for Older Adults. Topics will include personal medical data systems automation, personal data aggregation and management, personal memory data systems, collaborative integrated family / service tools, social media application integrations for family and caregiver services, voice interface applications, personal services platform development, and more. By attending this event, aspiring designers and developers - including students - will gain application knowledge from practicing care services experts and leading technology innovators, make cross-disciplinary networking links with dedicated professionals, and improve their design and planning vision.

When: Wednesday, October 11th ftom 5:30 to 8:30pm
Where: Cubberley Community Center, 4000 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto, Building "I", 2nd floor
            Park in the back near the tennis courts
How: Read the agenda and purchase tickets - $20
photo of Bob with a backdrop of a mountain

Film Screening - 4 Wheel Bob

The 20th United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) presents 4 Wheel Bob. Bob Coomber, an intrepid adventurer, sets out to be the first wheelchair hiker to cross the 11,845-foot Kearsarge Pass in the Sierra Nevada. This story of overcoming immense obstacles will inspire us to look at our own self-imposed limitations and perhaps reach beyond what we think is possible. Both Bob and the filmmaker, Tal Skloot, will join the screening and participate in a panel discussion. Film website - trailer (2:03).

When: Friday, October 27th at 5:10pm
Where: Stanford University, Li Ka Shing Center Building, 91 Campus Drive, Room LK130 - Disability Access Information
Admission: General public $10, students free.
Abilities Expo logo

Abilities Expo

The Abilities Expo is the go-to source for the community of people with disabilities, their families, seniors, veterans, and healthcare professionals. This event offers new technologies, possibilities, solutions, and opportunities. Discover ability-enhancing products and services, play adaptive sports, and attend informative workshops.

When: Friday thru Sunday - October 27th - 29th
Where: San Mateo County Event Center (new location this year)
How: Register for free

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.

Email questions, comments, or suggestions - Please email me if you have general questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the course. Thank you again for your interest.

Dave

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