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ATLAS

Assistive
Technology 
Laboratory
at
Stanford

 
 
Technology and design benefitting individuals with disabilities and older adults in the local community
March 1, 2017    
2 columns of images relating to assistive technology
Perspectives is the newsletter of the Stanford course,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

This issue invites you to attend the next lecture session
and register to attend the Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge Finals
and the Avenidas Living Better with Technology Conference

Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - now in its eleventh year - that explores the design, development, and use of assistive technology that benefits people with disabilities and older adults. It consists of semi-weekly classroom discussions; lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users; tours of local medical, clinical, and engineering facilities; student project presentations and demonstrations; an assistive technology faire; and a film screening.

Next class session - Thursday, March 2nd at 4:30pm:

photo of Jules


Aesthetics Matter & Empathy and Problem Definition
Jules Sherman
Jules Sherman Design

Abstract: Aesthetics Matter: The use of an assistive technology occurs within a socio-cultural context. Social attributes related to devices and cultural judgments concerning independence and dependence, having or not having a disability, seem to represent powerful influences on whether devices are accepted into a person's daily public and private routines. Aesthetics play a vital role in whether or not someone will actually use what you design. We will look at products by Bespoke, Compact Cath, Charles and Ray Eames, and others through the lens of aesthetic consideration. Jules will discuss two personal electronic response projects she worked on as a graduate student and subsequently as a contractor for Great Call and QMedic Health, which focused primarily on aesthetics to encourage people to use their device.

Empathy and Problem Definition: "Tools and methods for developing empathy and uncovering insights will be discussed through telling the story of an assistive technology I have been working on for over four years. Design is a non-linear process. Keeping one's user at the center of the work will ensure that your product solves an important problem."

Biosketch: Jules Sherman is a designer and entrepreneur who is passionate about designing human-centered products that improve quality of life. Jules holds an MFA from the Stanford Graduate Design Program. As a product designer, she is particularly interested in improving the aesthetics and usability of assistive technology. Jules is currently working on a lactation support device for moms with premature infants and a new piece of operating room equipment that supports delayed cord-clamping and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) resuscitation during a premature C-section birth. Jules co-taught a Stanford d. School course, Designing for Safety in Labor & Delivery in the Winter Quarter 2016.

Attend a lecture - Guest lectures 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.

clip art of a lecture

Did you miss a lecture? - Course lectures are posted on YouTube. To find the links, browse to the Lecture Schedule webpage, scroll down and click on the lecture of interest. Near the bottom of the page you will see the Lecture Material section which has links to the slides, photos, weblinks, and lecture video.

clip art of a student missing hi sbus

Solicitation for Mobility Projects for Older Adults

A capstone course is the academically integrative experience of an undergraduate educational program that gives students an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have gained during their time in college. This experience helps prepare them for their engineering careers.

ME113 - Mechanical Engineering Design - is a capstone course for seniors in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford. In this course, students pursue on "real-world" engineering problems offered by a company or other organization (project partner).

Starting from a description of project goals provided by the project partner, a student team of four seniors will develop a design concept and explore its practical feasibility by fabricating and testing a series of increasingly refined working models. Each project will supervised by a faculty member using information and advice supplied by the project partner.

The course will be conducted in the 10-week Spring Quarter from April through mid-June.

One of the themes this academic year is Mobility for Older Adults with a focus on automobiles and driving.

At this time, the course is soliciting problems or challenges that could be addressed by a team of students.

The best suggestions will be those that represent real problems experienced by an individual with a disability or older adult in the local community that affects their ability to drive or otherwise access transportation. Other suggestions that broadly affect one's ability to walk or move are also welcome.

Please email me your suggestions describing the problem and important features of what a solution should do, but not how to achieve them. Thank you for your consideration.

an older woman at the wheel
an older woman at the wheel, dog in the back
an older couple in a convertible
an older driver viewed through the steering wheel
an older driver viewed from the driver's side door

Upcoming Local Events

Attend the Avenidas Living Better with Technology Conference

Whether you are tech-savvy or not, this conference offers something for everyone!

  • Explore and get exposed to new technologies to increase awareness of options
  • Engage with technoloy to learn new applications and acquire new skills
  • Shape new products by providing feedback on the development of new assistive technology products

Keynote Speaker: Larry Magid is a technology journalist and Internet safety advocate. advocate.

The conference includes a boxed lunch and the chance to meet with service providers, check out hands-on exhibits, and enter to win door prizes. The day will conclude with a closing panel discussing “The Future of Technology & Aging”.

When: Saturday, March 25th - 8:30am to 3:30pm
Where: Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto
Registration: $40 before March 11th, $45 thereafter

More information and registration

Image of conference poster

Attend the Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge Finals

Watch nine student teams from around the globe pitch their solutions for Innovating Aging in Place to a panel of experts from industry, academia, and government! The Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge offers cash prizes in a competition open to all university students around the world who design products and services which optimize long life for us all. This year's challenge focused on designs that improve the quality of life for individuals aging in their homes.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

When: Thursday, March 30th - 8:30am to 4:00pm
Where: Li Ka Shing Learning and Knowledge Center
Knight Managment Center

What is the Cool Product Expo (CPX)?

CPX is a one-day exhibition of cutting-edge products organized by the Product Design and Manufacturing Club at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. Every year exhibitors come to Stanford University to demonstrate ground-breaking hardware, software, consumer tech, wearables, thinkables, driveables - anything and everything one can imagine.

For potential exhibitors: CPX is a unique opportunity for companies and startups with cool products to interact with Stanford students and the surrounding community of alumni, press, and investors. People you meet at this event could end up being your teammates, customers, partners, or investors. Here's the CPX website and a video of CPX 2013 (3:16) to give you an idea of what the event is like. If you are interested in applying to be an exhibitor, please fill out this online form. Exhibit space is limited. If you have any questions, get in touch with Carlotta Mathieu, VP of CPX Exhibitor Coordination.

For potential attendees: This event is free and open to the public. No advance registration is required.

When: Wednesday, April 19th, Noon to 6pm
Where: Knight Management Center
Knight Managment Center

8th Annual Adaptive Arts Film Festival

This event features local and international films by, for, and about individuals of all abilities and is sponsored by the College of Adaptive Arts Film Festival as a part of its 9th Annual Celebration - Differing Abilities.

The Festival is scheduled for Sunday, April 23rd from 2 to 5pm at the Bluelight Cinemas 5 Cupertino Oaks, 21275 Stevens Creek Blvd. in Cupertino with a Meet-and-Greet following the event at the nearby Hobee's Restaurant.

Bluelight Cinemas logo

Upcoming Class Sessions:

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 - If you have general questions, comments, or suggestions about the course, email David L. Jaffe, MS, the instructor. Thank you again for your interest in the course.

Dave

3 rows of images of course presenters and community members

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