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Design, Technology , and Engineering benefitting individuals with disabilities and older adults in the local community
January 17, 2022    
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Perspectives is the newsletter of the Stanford course,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

First Call for Assistive Technology Faire Participation

This issue announces the next class session
and solicits participation in the course's Assistive Technology Faire.

Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - now in its sixteenth year - that explores the design, development, and use of assistive technology that benefits people with disabilities and older adults. It consists of semi-weekly in-person discussions; lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users; a tour of an accessible inclusive playground; student project presentations and demonstrations; and an Assistive Technology Faire.

Course News

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In-person, In-classroom Instruction Resumes - In-person, in-classroom instruction starts tomorrow for the first time for this class in 22 months. Community members are welcome to attend class sessions at that time, but must attest to being vaccinated or receiving a negative COVID test result. Masking during class sessions will be required for everybody.

"Current Student ENROLLMENT!" banner

Student Enrollment - As of today, 47 students have signed up for the course, with 30 working on team projects. Of those, 3 are Freshmen, 4 are Sophomores, 6 are Juniors, 22 are Seniors, and 12 are Graduate students.

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Parking Information - Please note that open parking on the Stanford campus begins at 4:00pm, the same time as the class session begins.

So, your parking options are:

  1. To arrive on campus at 4:00pm to take advantage of the open parking and miss a few minutes of class.
  2. To arrive on campus a bit earlier than 4:00pm to be on time for the start of the class, incurring a small risk of getting a parking citation.
  3. Download and use "Zone Parking" or the ParkMobile app to pay for less than an hour of visitor parking. See this webpage for more information and links.

Note: Individuals with state-issued disability parking placards (from any state) can park free in any marked space on campus.

Next Class Session - Tuesday, January 18th at 4:00pm PST

Perspectives of Stanford Students and Faculty with a Disability
Cricket Bidleman, Mary Cooper, Tilly Griffiths, Gene Kim, Bhavya Shah, and Erik Sibley

photo of Cricket  photo of Mary  photo of Tilly  
photo of Gene  photo of Bhavya  photo of Eric

Abstract: In this panel discussion, several Stanford students and faculty with disabilities will discuss their disabilities, the challenges they have faced, why they chose to attend Stanford, their academic and career goals, the resources Stanford provides them, and the assistive technology they employ to be successful students and faculty members.

Cricket Bidleman's Biosketch: Cricket Xiao Jiu Bidleman is a graduate student in Journalism who is a passionate disability advocate deeply concerned with accessibility and disability justice. She hopes to pursue a career combining activism and journalism to improve the rights of people with a disability and others belonging to marginalized groups. Cricket writes for The Stanford Daily and is a podcaster, musician, techie, and baker.

Mary Cooper's Biosketch: Mary Kate Cooper is a Senior pursuing degrees in Aerospace Engineering & Computer Science. She is a member of Pi Beta Phi, an official Stanford tour guide, and a member of the Division 1 reigning Lightweight National Champion Rowing team. As a below-the-knee amputee, life has naturally pushed Mary to think outside the box. She is the proud owner of several high-performance, light-weight carbon fiber legs and believes being an amputee has given her a unique perspective and helped shape her problem-solving skills. Most recently, Mary was part of a Zero Gravity flight to research accessible space flight solutions called Mission AstroAccess. Looking forward, she would like to be a ParaAstronaut while lowering the barrier to entry for human spaceflight.

Tilly Griffiths' Biosketch: Tilly Kennedy Griffiths is an international student from the United Kingdom and is a junior pursuing a double-major in Political Science and Communication. Shortly following her first birthday, Tilly was diagnosed with a neuromuscular condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type II), meaning she is a full-time power wheelchair user and relies on physical support with all aspects of daily life. However, since the age of 12 she aspired to cross the Atlantic and attend university in California, and her participation in the Sutton Trust US Programme for low-income, high-achieving students brought her to Stanford. She is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, so far raising in excess of $7 million to ensure that young people can access the best wheelchairs to help them achieve their goals, and on campus she serves as the ASSU Director of Disability Advocacy. Tilly has written extensively for The Stanford Daily on issues relating to accessibility and inclusion since her freshman year, and continues to highlight the experiences of the disability community on campus as an opinion columnist.

Gene Kim's Biosketch: Gene Kim is a Junior exploring Symbolic Systems, Creative Writing, and Mechanical Engineering as potential areas of study. Due to a genetic retinal detachment condition, he gradually lost his sight while growing up, and became completely blind during his sophomore year of high school. Although challenging at times, alternative approaches to engaging with the world has enabled him to serve as a summer camp counselor, learn how to speed-solve Rubik's cubes, compete in the National Japan Bowl competition, and pursue his other academic and personal interests. Currently, he serves as secretary for the California Association of Blind Students (affiliated with the National Federation of the Blind of California), which is an activism and support community. For the future, he is interested in helping pioneer new assistive technologies to increase the scope and quality of accessible living for the impaired.

Bhavya Shah's Biosketch: Bhavya Ashush Shah is a Sophomore at Stanford studying Mathematical and Computational Science with interests in education, disability studies, and oral communication. He is an active member of Stanford's Debate Society and Ethics Bowl teams. Outside of academics, he enjoys watching Indian standup comedy, having meaningful conversations, and eating spicy food.

Eric Sibley's Biosketch: Eric Sibley, MD, PhD is a pediatric gastroenterologist affiliated with multiple hospitals, including Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford and Stanford Health Care - Stanford Hospital. He received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and has been in practice for more than 25 years.

Upcoming In-person, In-classroom Class Sessions

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Assistive Technology Faire

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You are invited to participate in the Assistive Technology Faire - This tenth annual course event is scheduled for Thursday, February 17th and 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 join in on this event. Browse to the Call for Assistive Technology Faire Participants webpage for more information and contact me to register. Please let me know if you prefer to participate in-person on-campus or by Zoom.

Here is the line up and slides from last year's virtual Faire.

Please contact me with your ideas, questions, comments, and project suggestions - or just to say hello. Please continue to stay safe & healthy.

Dave Jaffe - Course Instructor

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