Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - embarking on its nineteenth 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. Students pursue team-based projects that address real challenges faced by people with disabilities and older adults living in the local community. Check out the course website.

Important Dates:

• Monday, December 2nd - Deadline for student team project suggestions
• Thursday, December 5th - Winter Quarter course enrollment opens
• Tuesday, January 7th - First class session of Perspectives in Assistive Technology

Current Instructor Tasks:

• Investigate and select color scheme for the 2025 course website - completed
• Update 2024 course website for 2025 - in progress
• Solicit, review, approve, and post student team project suggestions - in progress (see below)
• Check on availability of Guest Lecturers - completed
• Schedule Guest Lecturers - completed

By the Numbers:

• 12 = Guest Lecturers scheduled
• 14 = Confirmed Team Projects (5 new & 9 renewed)
• 22 = Prospective Students
• 27 = Maximum number of students working on team projects
•   2 = Course Assistants hired

Community Attendance - Community members are welcome to attend class sessions on campus, enrollment is not required. There will not be a Zoom participation option.

Guest Lecturer Schedule - Here is the draft guest lecturer schedule. Some presenters have not yet confirmed their lecture date.The course website will soon be updated to include a webpage for each class session, including lecture abstracts and presenters' photos & biosketches.

Introducing Mathidla Kitzmann - Mathilda is a mechanical engineering coterminal student concentrating in manufacturing and mechatronics. She was on the rowing team during her undergrad years and has been a researcher in the ARMLAB (Assistive Robotics and Manipulation Lab) for the last two years. She is interested in making, design, robotic dexterity, and soft sensors to improve the field of assistive robotics. Outside of class she enjoys roadbiking, running, cooking, and making bread.

Introducing Lance Keneley - Lance is a mechanical engineering coterminal student concentrating in biomechanical engineering. He played on the football team at Stanford for 4 years as well as one additional year at the University of Arizona. For his senior capstone project, he worked on a team in partnership with Kyaro Assistive Technologies that designed a postural support seat for children with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus in Tanzania. He is interested in continuing research in assistive technologies particularly for people with fine motor skill impairment. Outside of class, he describes himself as an adventurer who values new and fun experiences that challenge his perceptions about people and the world. He also freedives, skis, and cooks.

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

1. Team project suggestions 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 imagine a solution.
2. The scale and complexity of the project must be such that it could be pursued by a team of three students in the 10-week quarter, resulting in a fabricated functional prototype.
3. Refer to Project Requirements webpage for more detailed information.
4. Several new projects have already been submitted and approved. Their tentative titles are:
   • Laptop Storage for Abby
   • Laptray Artwork Easel for Abby
   • Water Bottle Opener for Danny
   • Obstacle Detector for Danny
5. Please submit a very brief description of suggested projects for review and approval.
6. Below is an example suitable project suggestion designed to guide your project suggestion thinking:

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