Perspectives is the newsletter of the Stanford course,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

New Classroom!

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

Course News

New classroom! - The course will be held in classroom 282 in the Lathrop Library located at the corner of Lasuen Mall and Serra Mall, adjacent to Memorial Auditorium and the Oval. It seats as many as 150 people in a flexible and accessible space.

Approved student project suggestions - Two projects with the Magical Bridge Playground and one project with Donna Yeager, host of KMVT's On the Move, have been approved as candidate student team projects. Several additional project suggestions are in the process of being formulated, received, reviewed, and approved for this coming academic year.

Confirmed guest lecturers and schedule- Debbie Kenney, a long time guest lecturer, will once again be speaking in the course, completing the lecturer roster. The complete schedule of lectures and field trips is being finalized and will be announced very soon.

Request for additional student project suggestions - Project suggestions are continuing to be solicited. For more information refer to the Call for Team Projects Suggestions webpage.

Review of Project Solicitation Process and Activities

Briefly, what is the process for considering and submitting project suggestions? - First identify a specific challenge or problem experienced by a person with a disability or older adult. Then perform an internet search to confirm that the problem has not already been adequately addressed. Then carefully review the project requirements to make sure the idea complies with all the criteria. Finally submit a short email - text format is ok - that identifies the user or population affected and briefly describes the nature of the problem. Include desirable features of a solution, but do not specify how the device should appear, be built, or solve the problem - as those are tasks for the student team to consider. It is ok if the problem affects just one individual.

What happens after a project suggestion is submitted? - Even if you have submitted project suggestions that weren't accepted, I would encourage you to consider my comments and offer new or revised ideas.

What happens after a project suggestion is submitted? - Submitted project suggestions will be read, reviewed, and considered. Those that meet all the project requirements and receive my approval will be accepted as candidate team projects. A project Problem Statement describing the challenge will be composed for posting on the course website and disseminated as a handout to students on the first day of class. Refer to this past year's team candidate project list for examples of past Problem Statements.

What is the deadline for submitting project suggestions? - Please email suggestions to me as soon as possible so I have adequate time to consider all submissions, edit approved entries, and post them - not later than Saturday, December 1st. Feel free to contact me before the deadline to discuss your ideas and suggestions.

Local Events

Opportunity to Learn about Powered Clothing

Learn about Powered Clothing The Avenidas Generations Lab is recruiting older adults to provide input to improve Seismic's line of powered clothing. Seismic is an apparel company, located in Menlo Park, that seeks to transform people's relationship with clothing that enhances one's ability to move through life. Their goal is to shape human potential through a new integration of apparel and robotics called Powered Clothing™. Powered Clothing™ enables everyone - from older adults to athletes to people with a wide range of physical disabilities - to achieve their full mobility potential. To learn more, schedule a one-hour appointment through Avenidas with Eric Gee by email or phoning him at 650/289-5409. Older adults will be paid $25 to attend an initial orientation and selected individuals will be paid for each hour of future participation. The initial orientation includes: Watching a video that introduces Seismic and Powered Clothing™ Learning about enrollment opportunities for Seismic's user testing program Be measured and fitted for a Seismic garment (selected individuals) Ideal Powered Clothing™ users are those who: Experience difficulty with activities such as standing up from a seated position, climbing stairs, bending, etc Are active, engaged individuals Have a body mass index (BMI) less than 30

Walk & Roll to the Fundraising Finish Line

Superhero Walk + Roll Come out to Palo Alto's Magical Bridge Playground to walk, skip, jump, slide, and roll to the fundraising finish line to help bring a Magical Bridge Playground to Sunnyvale. When: Saturday, October 13th from 9am to noon Where: Palo Alto's Magical Bridge Playground - 3700 Middlefield Road, located near the dog park and the tennis courts in Mitchell Park, on the side of the park nearest to Mitchell Park Library and Ada’s Cafe. Information: A $15 registration fee includes a Magical Bridge tote bag and access to all playground activities throughout the morning: music, refreshments, face painting, and more!

Abilities Expo

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, learn new dance moves, and attend informative workshops. When: Friday, October 26th through Sunday, October 28th Where: San Mateo County Event Center Information: Free registration

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