Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - preparing for its fourteenth 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.

Course Statistics - Forty-five students have now enrolled in the course, there are thirteen candidate team projects, and three vendors have confirmed for the Assistive Technology Faire.

Attend upcoming class sessions - Although official enrollment is required for Stanford students to receive academic credit, the greater Stanford community is invited to sit in all class sessions. You need not be a Stanford student to attend, there is no signup required, and there is no charge. The first lecture is Tuesday, January 7th and the full schedule can be found here.

Last call for student project suggestions - If you eagerly anticipate approaching deadlines, this is your time - the last call for student project suggestions!

Your project suggestions should target challenges including performing tasks such as working, learning, moving, communicating, accessing home products (including computers), and daily living activities such as cooking, cleaning, creative expression, and pursuing happiness. Project suggestions that explore design concepts that improve diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation are also welcomed. Refer to the Call for Team Projects Suggestions webpage.

At the minimum, submit a one-sentence description of the problem. The most important requirements are: 1) the availability of a local person with a disability or older adult who would benefit and work with the student team, 2) no risk of harm or injury to the user, 3) a suitable solution isn't already commercially available, and 4) the suggested project must be of an appropriate scale, size, and complexity. Here is more information including the entire list of requirements.

Please submit your suggestions this week or next so I'll have adequate time to consider all submissions, edit approved entries, and post them. The deadline is Sunday, December 1st. If your project is accepted, you can "pitch" it to the class on Thursday, January 9th. If a student team selects it, you will then have the opportunity to offer them advice, direction, and expertise in person, by phone, and/or by email.

Your contributions and participation will be much appreciated by me and the 43 students who have enrolled in the course so far.

You are invited to participate in the Assistive Technology Faire - This eighth annual course event will provide an opportunity for students and community members to get an up-close look at a variety of assistive technology devices and learn about available services. Users of assistive technology products as well as small companies and agencies serving individuals with disabilities and older adults are encouraged to bring assistive technology devices and information to display, demonstrate, and discuss. Please browse to the Call for Assistive Technology Faire Participants webpage and contact me if you would like to be a part of this event as a user or vendor of assistive technology products or services. Everyone is welcome to attend the Faire.

The Faire will start at 4:30pm on Thursday, February 20th in the Lathrop Library, Classroom 282.

Here is the program, slides, and Matteo's, Krystina's & my photos from last year's Faire.