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

This issue invites you to attend the final student team project presentations.

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

Attend the final student team project presentations - You are invited to attend this quarter's presentations. They are open to the greater Stanford community - you need not be a Stanford student and there is no required signup, enrollment, or charge. They will be held in a large, tiered, accessible classroom on campus in the Thornton Center (Classroom 110), 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.

Final student team project presentations - Tuesday, March 8th starting at 4:30pm

Presentation order:

1. Team Magicians - Magical Bridge Playground Project
2. Fairing Well - Aesthetic Brace Fairing Project
3. Magic Makers - Magical Bridge Playground Project
4. Swift Engineering - Aesthetic Brace Fairing Project
5. Team Memori - Designing Your Afterlife
6. Walkabout - Improved Walker Project
7. Team Supreme - Power for Veterans Project
8. Game Plan - Improved Walker Project
9. Brace for Impact - Knee Brace Project
10. Engineering Empathy - Support System to Destigmatize Mental Health in the Black Community
11. Sachi-on-the-Ko - iPhone and Me Project
12. One More Mile - Jogging and Running Aid for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Suggest a project - Good assistive technology project suggestions are sought for Stanford's Mechanical Engineering capstone course (ME113) for the upcoming Spring Quarter. Your suggestions should be based on an observation or experience of a real challenge faced by individuals with a disability or older adults. Projects will involve the design and fabrication of a functional solution to the problem, as well as student team presentations and reports. This is a great opportunity for individuals, organizations, or companies to interact with teams of talented, enthusiastic seniors, benefit from their fresh perspective, and gain access to university expertise and resources. Students benefit by having the opportunity to apply their studies of solid and fluid mechanics, manufacturing, and mechanical design to a real world problem. Your first step is to visit the Project Solicitation webpage for a list of project requirements and a description of how best to convey your ideas. If your suggestion is accepted, you will have the opportunity to offer the student team advice, direction, and expertise in person or by phone and/or email.

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.

Would you like to 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.

Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion? - If you have general questions, comments, or suggestions about the course, David L. Jaffe, MS, the instructor, can be reached by email or at 650/892-4464. Thank you again for your interest in the course.

Dave