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Design, Technology , and Engineering benefitting individuals with disabilities and older adults in the local community
February 14, 2020    
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Perspectives is the newsletter of the Stanford course,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

From Idea to Market: Eatwell, Assistive Tableware for Persons with Cognitive Impairments

This issue invites you to attend the next class session and encourages your attendance in the course's Assistive Technology Faire.

Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - entering its fourteenth 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.

Course News

Do you have a suggestion for a film about disabilty and assistive technology? - I am looking for suggestions for a film to screen on Tuesday, March 3rd during classtime. The film must not be over 60 minutes in length and must be available on DVD for no or low cost.

Next class session - Tuesday, February 18th at 4:30pm

photo of Sha


From Idea to Market: Eatwell, Assistive Tableware for Persons with Cognitive Impairments
Sha Yao
Sha Design

Abstract: "Inspired by my late grandmother who had Alzheimer's Disease, I created Eatwell, a tableware set to help people with cognitive impairments increase their food intake. After years of research and development, the Eatwell set won first place in the 2014 Stanford Design Challenge in a competition with 52 other teams from 15 countries, and has continued to receive extremely positive feedback from caregivers from different states across the country, and even internationally. I will share my story about my efforts working on the project, the design process I used, the challenges I faced, my experience during the design competition, the latest update on my goal to bring Eatwell to market, and my future plans for the product."

Biosketch: Sha Yao describes herself as a passionate Industrial Designer who likes to challenge herself. She has a diverse background and speaks English, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese. She created a product design studio to help startup companies develop their product ideas, and especially loves to work on projects that help people in need.

You are invited to attend this and all other class sessions - Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:50pm and are open to the greater Stanford community. You need not be a Stanford student to attend, no signup is required, and there is no charge. The full schedule can be found here

clip art of lecturer in fron of clasroom

Same 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.

Photo of the front of Lathrop Library
clip art of a faire

You are invited to attend the Assistive Technology Faire - This eighth annual course event 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. Everyone is welcome to attend the Faire.

The Faire will start at 4:30pm on Thursday, February 20th in the Lathrop Library, Classroom 282.

Here is the program, slides, and Matteo's, Krystina's & my photos from last year's Faire.

Upcoming class sessions:

Ongoing local event:

image of a glass globe hanging from a wall

SOMArts proudly announces the second exhibition in the 10th Curatorial Residency season. Curated by Vanessa Chang and Lindsey D. Felt, Recoding CripTech reimagines enshrined notions of what a body can be or do through creative technologies, and how it can move, look, or communicate.

Working with a broad understanding of technology, from prosthetic tools to the built environment, this multidisciplinary community art exhibition explores how disability - and artists who identify as such - can redefine design, aesthetics, and the relationship between user and interface. Exhibiting artists engage with technology in manifold ways from conception to production and beyond. As the term "crip" reclaims the word for disability culture and recognizes disability as a cultural and political identity, so too do artists hack technologies to make them more accessible and inclusive.

When: Running through Tuesday, February 25th
Where: SOMA Arts Cultural Center - 934 Brannan St., San Francisco
Information: More information

Research study:

Microsoft Research logo

Microsoft Research is running an online survey to collect information from people with disabilities who telework.

"We’re seeking people with disabilities who regularly telework to learn more about their experiences. The goal of this study is to understand how teleworking helps people with disabilities make their work accessible. We want to understand people’s current work practices, what challenges they face, and what opportunities there are for improvement. To be eligible to participate, you must fit the following conditions:"

  • Telework: Work from home or another remote site as part of making your work more accessible for any disabilities that you have.
  • Use collaborative technologies such as video calling, chat, the phone, shared file directories, collaborative editing tools, screen sharing, etc. to collaborate with remote colleagues.
  • Telework at least once per week
  • Are an adult over 18 years of age

"You will be asked to complete an online survey to describe your experiences. The survey is expected to take about 30 minutes to complete. You will receive a gratuity of a $25 electronic voucher at Amazon."

"If you qualify, please fill out the online survey."

"Feel free to forward this message to others who might be interested. If you have any questions, please contact John Tang."

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

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