Perspectives is the newsletter of the Stanford course,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

Week 3

This issue invites you to attend the next class session,
encourages your participation in the course's Assistive Technology Faire,
invites your attendance at a Tech Talk, and solicts early testers.

Course News

Next class session of the twelfth season - Tuesday, January 23rd at 4:30pm:

Perspectives of Stanford Students with a Disability Zina Jawadi, Bryce Connor Tuttle, Evan Feinberg, Brickelle Bro, and others Stanford University

Abstract: In this panel discussion, several Stanford students with disabilities will discuss their disabilities, the challenges they have faced, their academic goals, and the assistive technology they employ to be successful students.

Zina Jawadi's Biosketch: Zina Jawadi is a senior at Stanford University and is involved with disability advocacy on campus through Power2ACT and the ASSU Executive Cabinet. Outside of Stanford, Zina is the president of the Hearing Loss Association of America, California State Association, an affiliate of the Hearing Loss Association of America, the largest nonprofit representing people with hearing loss in the US. Zina founded a disability awareness program at her high school, The Harker School, and previously researched and created a video about techniques for teaching mainstreamed students with hearing loss.

Bryce Connor Tuttle's Biosketch: "It took me a while to learn how to read. Though I loved to hear my mom read aloud or listen to audio books, I struggled through deciphering each word, unable to piece together the chains of sounds my classmates could easily create from the letters on the page. In third grade I was diagnosed with dyslexia. It is a label I have carried with pride throughout the rest of my life. I credit my dyslexia with my ability to devise unorthodox solutions. As my uncle says, 'only coming up with one way to spell a word is terribly uncreative'."

Evan Feinberg's Biosketch: Evan Feinberg is a PhD Candidate at Stanford in Computational Biophysics. In his research, Evan works with Professor Vijay S. Pande on in silico approaches for drug discovery. While he has struggled with chronic pain and compartment syndrome since his college days at Yale, Evan has felt empowered to advance the field of chronic pain management through his research on the µ Opioid Receptor. Most recently, he has been developing deep neural network architectures to identify lead molecules for developing new medicines.

Brickelle Bro's Biosketch: Brickelle Bro began swimming at the age of eight and had fibular hemimelia and amniotic band syndrome before birth, resulting in the amputation of both of legs below the knee. Bro made a name for herself at the 2011 CanAms and the 2012 Paralympic Trials as she went on to finish fifth at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She set American records in the 1000y free and 1650y free as a high schooler and broke the 1650y record again as a freshman at Stanford University. Her interests include volunteering, video editing and production, playing the piano, and hiking. She has set up a foundation called 'My Feet Don't Stink', which aims to empower young girls who have an impairment. May 2011 she received the John Lynch Foundation Exceptional Star of the Year Award. She was named the 2011 Colorado Disability Swimmer of the Year.

Attend a lecture - The schedule of guest lectures has been finalized. Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:50pm and are open to the greater Stanford community. You are most welcome to sit in on any class sessions that interest you. You need not be a Stanford student and there is no required signup, enrollment, or charge. The class will meet in a large, tiered, accessible classroom on campus in the Thornton Center, adjacent to the Terman Fountain and near the Roble Gym, the same venue as last year. Here are the parking options, maps, and directions to the classroom.

You are invited to participate in the Assistive Technology Faire - This sixth 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, March 1st just outside the classroom, Thornton 110. Here are Dave's and Arne's photos from last year's Faire.

Upcoming Local Event

Avenidas Generations Lab Tech Talk The Avenidas Generations Lab invites you to attend a fireside chat with Dr. Manjula Waldron and Richard Adler as they examine "The Impact of Technology on Intergenerational Values and Morals". When: Friday, February 9th from 11am to noon Where: Cubberley Community Center, Building "I", Second floor, 4000 Middlefield Rd., Suite #I-2, Palo Alto Admission: Ages 15 and above - Free

Solicitation for Early Testers

C@irn c@irn is looking for early testers of a platform for those with an avid love for the outdoors who have recently endured an injury or illness that affects their ability to move through the world. The platform is envisioned to support a community of athletes and adventurers built on experience-sharing and mentoring where people can explore possibilities, get inspired by others, and share what they've learned. If you are active or interesed in adaptive sports, please contact Graeme Rosenberg and check out their website.

Support the course - Funding in any amount for the course and student projects is always welcomed. Monetary gifts support approved project expenses, administrative costs, honoraria for guest lecturers, and the end-of-term celebration. Refer to the Team Project Support webpage for more information.

Email questions, comments, or suggestions - Please email me if you have general questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the course. Thank you again for your interest.

Dave