Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - now entering its eighteenth 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 tour of an accessible inclusive playground; student project presentations and demonstrations; and an Assistive Technology Faire. Check out the course website.

Important Dates:

• Wednesday, November 29th - Course enrollment opens
• Friday, December 1st - Deadline for project suggestions
• Tuesday, January 9th - First class session of Perspectives in Assistive Technology

Course Organization Activities:

• Projects - New student project suggestions are continuing to be solicited (see below), reviewed, and posted.

• Community Attendance - Community members are invited to attend class sessions on campus - masking may be required.

By the Numbers:

• 12 = Guest Lecturers
• 10 = Team Projects
•   6 = Pre-Enrolled Students
•   2 = Confirmed Participants for Perspectives of Stanford Students and Faculty with a Disability
•   1 = Confirmed Vendors for the Assistive Technology Faire

First Call for Vendors - You are invited to participate in the Assistive Technology Faire - This twelfth annual course event is scheduled for Thursday, February 22nd 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.

A former student has already committed to demonstrating her research this coming year. Here is the line up and slides from last year's virtual Faire.

In preparation for the upcoming Winter Quarter course offering, I will continue to solicit projects suggestions from community members. Here are some important project criteria to consider:

1. Community members are strongly encouraged to submit project suggestions for students to pursue. They must address a real challenge experienced by an individual with a disability or older adult who lives in the local community. The challenge, problem, or struggle must be one that is not adequately served by existing commercial products. (Perform an internet search to verify this.) It is important to identify and describe the challenge rather than to imagine a solution.
2. The scale and complexity of the project must be such that it could be pursued by a team of three or four students in the 10-week quarter, resulting in a fabricated functional and tested prototype.
3. Refer to the Call for Projects Suggestions and Project Requirements webpage for more detailed information.
4. Some projects have already been submitted, approved, and described. Their tentative titles are:
   • Accessible storage for Abby
   • Enhanced visibility for Abby's wheelchair
   • Rain shield for Abby
   • Water bottle & phone holder for Abby's mobility devices
   • Treats for Nathan
   • Accessible dog kennel for Danny and Korey
   • Poop Management for Danny's Service Dog Korey
   • Laptray for Danny
   • Projects with the Magical Bridge Playground (2)
5. Submit your suggestions as soon as possible so I'll have adequate time to consider all submissions, edit approved entries, and post them. The deadline is Friday, December 1st. If I accept your project suggestion, you will be invited to "pitch" it to the class on Thursday, January 11th. 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.
6. Below is an example suitable project suggestion designed to guide your project suggestion thinking:

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

Examples of reacher products for inspiration:

• Grabber Reacher Tool for Elderly
• Extra-Long Grabber-Reacher Tool

Examples of pooper scooper products that are too bulky:

• Zeening Pet Pooper Scooper
• LeadAllWay Foldable Dog Poop Scooper