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

Film Screenings

This issue invites you to attend the Film Screenings in the Peterson Building
and the remaining class sessions.

Films Screenings - Tuesday, March 5th at 4:30pm in the atrium of the Peterson Building.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend to ensure adequate chairs and popcorn.

A Day with Danny Abstract: Danny’s daily experiences and challenges living with cerebral palsy are documented in this short video from 2015. (11:32)

Fixed Abstract: What does "disabled" mean when a man with no legs can run faster than most people in the world? What does "normal" mean when cosmetic surgery procedures have risen over 450% percent in the last fifteen years and increasing numbers of people turn to "smart drugs" every day to get ahead at school or work? With prenatal screening able to predict hundreds of probable conditions, who should determine what kind of people get to be born? If you could augment your body's abilities in any way imaginable, would you?

From bionic limbs and neural implants to prenatal screening, researchers from around the world are hard at work developing a myriad of technologies to fix or enhance the human body. Fixed: The Science / Fiction of Human Enhancement takes a close look at the drive to be “better than human” and the radical technological innovations that may take us there.

Through a dynamic mix of verité, dance, archival, and interview footage, Fixed challenges notions of normal, the body, and what it means fundamentally to be human in the 21st century.

Biosketch of Fixed's Fernanda Castelo: Fernanda Castelo, as a "test pilot", helped Ekso Bionics refine their design for the "Ekso", an exoskeleton which allows individuals with limited to no mobility in their legs to walk again. Fernanda worked closely with their engineers, and clinical physical therapists giving critical feedback from a user's perspective. A dancer at Disneyland in her youth, after an accident 20 years ago, she has since consulted with multiple design teams on the development of new technologies for people with mobility impairments. From the new WHILL, providing mobility, independence and style for everyone to Ekso to Stanford's Mechanical Engineering Perspectives in Assistive Technology class mentoring with future engineers, Fernanda educates about the importance of an organic, body/user-centered approach to design and how essential it is to involve people with disabilities at every stage of development. She is also an avid sailor and very active with BAADS (Bay Area Association for Disabled Sailors). Setting her eyes on the prize, she claimed 1st Place at the 2013 North American Access Championship on San Francisco Bay.

New classroom! - The course will be held in classroom 282 in the Lathrop Library located at the corner of Lasuen Mall and Serra Mall, adjacent to Memorial Auditorium and the Oval. It seats as many as 150 people in a flexible and accessible space. Here is a webpage with maps, directions, and photos.

"Save the Date" for Stanford's Inaugural Disability Studies Conference - Mediations: Disability, Technology, and the Arts - This day-long conference will host research presentations alongside workshops. In addition to academic panels and discussions, the venue will be filled with artwork and exhibitions by the local Stanford disability community. In the spirit of infrastructural and cultural accessibility, Mediations: Disability, Technology, and the Arts is open to public participation, and presenters are encouraged to prepare to speak to both colleagues and non-specialists. Conference participants should look forward to a unique experience that brings together critical discussion and public engagement. When: Saturday, May 18th - all day Where: Campus location to be announced Information: Registration fee to be announced

Other

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 Course and 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