Welcome to this edition of  Perspectives,  the e-newsletter of the Stanford course Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

What is the course? - Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter course at Stanford that explores issues surrounding the design, development, and use of assistive technology for people with disabilities and seniors. More information can be found on the course website.

Invitation to attend - You are invited to attend all class lectures. They will be held in the Main Quad, Building 370, Classroom 370 on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 4:15 to 5:30pm and are free and open to the public.

Next class session - Thursday, February 3rd at 4:15pm:

Abstract: "The Lingraphica is a Medicare-reimbursed Speech Generating Device for adults with speech, language, and communication deficits following stroke. It provides access to an extensive vocabulary of interactive icons with word, phrases, sounds, and images attached. The materials can be used in a variety of ways, prosthetically (to speak for a person), orthotically (to improve distorted or deficient speech), and therapeutically (to improved performance through stimulation and practice). In this talk, I will: (i) demonstrate the operations and features of the Lingraphica; (ii) discuss how rehabilitation research influenced device design and operation; and (iii) explain the particular ways in which the device provides critical and non-obvious benefits to users. I will show how an iPod Application incorporating Lingraphica methods, tools, and materials - called the SmallTalk for Aphasia - allow users to carry these benefits out into the community."

Biosketch: Dr. Steele has been Chief Scientist at Lingraphica since 1990. Earlier at the Palo Alto VA Rehabilitation R&D Center, he was Principal Investigator on the C-VIC project researching computers and aphasia rehabilitation. He has taught at Harvard, Cornell, MIT, and elsewhere. He received a BS from Stanford University in Physics, and MA and PhD from Harvard University in Slavic languages and linguistics.

Do you have a question or comment? - David L. Jaffe, MS, the course organizer, can be reached by email or at 650/892-4464.