Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - entering its seventeenth year - that explores the design, development, and use of assistive technology that benefits people with disabilities and older adults. It consists of semi-weekly in-person discussions; lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users; a field trip to an accessible inclusive playground; an Assistive Technology Faire; and student project presentations and demonstrations.

Reminders for next academic year's course

Important dates:

• Thursday, December 1st - Winter Quarter course enrollment opens
• Tuesday, January 10th - First class session of Perspectives in Assistive Technology

Community Attendance - Community members will be welcome to attend class sessions on campus - masking may be required.

Student Projects - I have received several student project suggestions, which I will develop into project descriptions for students to review. Community members' suggestions are solicited. (See below)

Course Statistics - The course website has been updated for this coming academic year. Major changes have been made to the color scheme, syllabus, and project assignments.

• Prospective students = 26
• Assistive Technology Faire Vendors:
  • Confirmed = 2
  • Local prospective = 5
  • To be contacted = 3
  • Last year = 8
• Team projects:
  • This year = 15 (some require confirmation)
  • Last year = 23

You are invited to participate in the Assistive Technology Faire - This eleventh annual course event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28th 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 event. Browse to the Call for Assistive Technology Faire Participants webpage for more information and contact me to register as a vendor.

911 Tracker has just committed to participate as a vendor this coming year. Here is the line up and slides from last year's virtual Faire.

Request for student project suggestions - Project suggestions are continuing to be solicited.

Community members are strongly encouraged to submit project suggestions for students to pursue. These suggestions must address a real challenge experienced by an individual with a disability or older adult who lives in the local community that is not adequately served by existing commercial products. (Perform an internet search to verify this.) Identify and describe the challenge rather than imagining a solution. Please do this as soon as possible so I'll have adequate time to consider all submissions, edit approved entries, and post them. The deadline is Thursday, December 1st. If I accept your project suggestion, you will be invited to "pitch" it to the class on Thursday, January 12th. If a student team selects it, you will have the opportunity to offer your advice, direction, and expertise in person, by phone, and/or by email. For more information refer to the Call for Projects Suggestions and Project Requirements webpages.

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

International Documentary Film Festival - Reflections

"United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) is delighted to announce its 25th film festival. UNAFF was founded in 1998 by Stanford educator and film critic Jasmina Bojic in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

"This year’s theme, Reflections, continues our enduring devotion to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing our 25th Anniversary milestone."

The following three films would be of particular interest to community members as they have disability themes.

• Orchestrating Change   "Orchestrating Change tells the inspiring story of Me2 Orchestra, the only orchestra in the world created by and for people living with mental illness and those who support them. The orchestra's mission is to erase the stigmatization of people living with mental illness through the creation of beautiful music, community, compassion and understanding… one concert at a time. Most importantly, it is changing the lives of the musicians and audiences in ways they never imagined. With compelling characters, striking animation, and humor, this film addresses many of the myths about mental illness by showing what living with a mental illness is really like, including both setbacks and accomplishments." (85 minutes)
        Thursday, October 20th 7:10pm at the Mitchell Park Community Center

• Unconfined   "Confined to his room during COVID, Victor Pineda, an urban planner, activist, professor, and filmmaker who uses a breathing machine ffull time, continues his search for what makes a life worth living. The documentary contrasts an earlier crisis in Victor’s life and the expansive, chaotic trip he took to Varanasi, India with present-day meditative vlogs that shed light on his life search for meaning." (38 minutes)
        Tuesday, October 25th 4:00pm at the Stanford Medical School Li Ka Shing Center, Room 120 - map

• Sign the Show   "Sign the Show: Deaf Culture, Access & Entertainment is a feature-length documentary providing insight into Deaf Culture and the quest for access to entertainment. It brings together entertainers, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) community, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters to discuss accessibility at live performances in a humorous, heartfelt, and insightful way." (96 minutes)
        Wednesday, October 26th 9:10pm at the Roxie Theatre, SF

Information:

• Tickets - Free admission for all students with a valid ID, $12 for all others, including seniors.
• Film Descriptions
• Screening Schedule

To provide a safe in-person experience, UNAFF requires all attendees, guests, panelists, staff, volunteers, and other participants to be responsible to others and to wear masks during screenings and other events. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to showtime to guarantee admission.