Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - entering its fifteenth year - that explores the design, development, and use of assistive technology that benefits people with disabilities and older adults. It consists of semi-weekly online discussions; lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users; virtual tours of local medical, clinical, and engineering facilities; student project presentations and demonstrations; and a Virtual Assistive Technology Faire.

Course Statistics - As of today, 38 students have enrolled in the course, 10 vendors plan to participate in the Virtual Assistive Technology Faire, and there many options for student projects including suggestions from 14 community members.

Attend upcoming Zoom class sessions - Although official enrollment is required for Stanford students to receive academic credit, all the Zoom class sessions will be open to the community. You need not be a Stanford student to attend, there is no signup required, and there is no charge. The first lecture will be on Tuesday, January 12th. Zoom connection information will be posted in future newsletter issues. The entire schedule can be found here.

You are invited to participate in the Virtual Assistive Technology Faire - This ninth annual course event is scheduled for Thursday, February 25th and 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 join in on this virtual event. Please browse to the Call for Assistive Technology Faire Participants webpage for more information and contact me to register. Each vendor will have 5 to 10 minutes of unopposed Zoom time to display, demonstrate, and discuss their assistive technology products or services. Everyone is welcome to attend the Faire. Ten vendors have signed up to participate so far.

Here is the line up and slides from last year's Faire.

Remembering Fernanda Costelo
It is with more sadness that I announce the passing of another dear course community member. Fernanda attended class sessions for many years, suggested student projects, mentored students, and demonstrated an exoskeleton.

She delighted in working with students and informing them about the impact that assistive technology had made in her life.

Fernanda also participated in the Design the Future program at Stanford since 2014 where she coached high school students on assistive technology projects that addressed some of her challenges.

Here are some interesting facts that honor her life and inspire us.

As a “test pilot,” Fernanda helped Ekso Bionics refine their design for their exoskeleton produyct which allows individuals with limited to no mobility in their legs to walk again. She worked closely with their engineers and clinical physical therapists, providing critical feedback from her perspective as a user.

In her youth, Fernanda was dancer at Disneyland. After an accident 17 years ago, she consulted with multiple design teams on the development of new technologies for people with mobility impairments. This included the WHILL wheelchair which provides mobility, independence, and style in addition to her work at Ekso Bionics. She always promoted the importance of an organic, body / user-centered approach to design and the absolute importance of involving people with disabilities at every stage of product development.

Fernanda was one of the five main characters in the award-winning documentary Fixed: The Science / Fiction of Human Enhancement. The 2014 film examines the social impact of human biotechnologies. Haunting and humorous, poignant, and political, Fixed rethinks disability and normalcy by exploring technologies that promise to change our bodies and minds forever.

Fernanda was also an avid sailor and very active with Bay Area Association for Disabled Sailors (BAADS). Fellow BAADS members referred to her as a fierce competitor and a good friend. She competed in many races in different classes and regattas in San Francisco, San Diego, Newport, RI, and beyond. Fernanda was instrumental with BAADS' involvement in America’s Cup held in San Francisco in 2013. She was also the driving force urging the Richmond Yacht Club to install a portable lift allowing sailors with mobility disabilities to transfer onto boats.