Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - preparing for 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.

Date

Title / Presenter

Tue - Jan 7th

Course Overview & Introduction to Assistive Technology
David L. Jaffe, MS

Thu - Jan 9th

Project Pitches & Team Formation
Project Suggestors

Tue - Jan 14th

Needfinding and Assistive Technologies
Gayle Curtis

Thu - Jan 16th

Bridging the Gap between Consumers and Products in Rehabilitation Medicine
Deborah E. Kenney, MS, OTR/L

Tue - Jan 21st

Perspectives of Stanford Students with a Disability

Thu - Jan 23rd

Designing Beyond the Norm to Meet the Needs of All People
Peter W. Axelson, MSME, ATP, RET

Tue - Feb 11th

Student Team Project Mid-term Presentations

Thu - Mar 5th

Wheelchair Fabrication in Developing Countries
Ralf Hotchkiss

Tue - Mar 10th

Student Team Project Final Presentations

Thu - Mar 12th

Student Team Project Demonstrations, Course Evaluation, and Celebration

Active Aging Week - Active Aging Week is the annual health promotion event for older adults organized by the International Council on Active Aging. The goal of Active Aging Week is to give as many older adults as possible the means to experience activities and exercise in a safe, friendly, and fun atmosphere.

The City of Sunnyvale supports wellness for older adults and is inviting the community to participate. Health, fitness, and wellness workshops, classes, lectures, and other activities are planned.

Senior Planet @ Avenidas - Senior Planet celebrates aging by sharing information and resources that support aging with attitude, and helps people who were born long before the digital revolution to stay engaged and active by bringing a digital-technology focus to a range of topics: news, health, sex and dating, art and design, senior style, travel, and entertainment.

Avenidas and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) have partnered to launch Senior Planet @ Avenidas! Senior Planet is an award-winning program where people 60+ who are interested in technology can connect, learn, and grow. Located in Avenidas’ newly-renovated facility in downtown Palo Alto, this resource is set to become a critical part of Silicon Valley’s aging, technology, and entrepreneurship scenes.

Assistive Technology & Design Process
In this University of Washington DO-IT webinar, I will address differences between Accessibility and Assistive Technology, review Universal Design Principles, and provide an overview of the engineering design process for assistive technology devices with slides illuminated with colorful graphics.

Vista TEC 2019
"Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired believes that a comprehensive definition of diversity, includes people with disabilities. Therefore, integrating diverse needs, perspectives and capability limitations is necessary for the next generation of software tools and technology."

"This day-long conference will build upon the discussions and innovations underway regarding accessibility and inclusion in the work place, in our communities, and in our schools."

International Documentary Film Festival - Scales of Justice
"United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) is delighted to announce its 22nd film festival. UNAFF was founded in 1998 by Stanford educator and film critic Jasmina Bojic in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

"This year’s theme, Scales of Justice, continues our two decades-long celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing the fight for justice and exploring possible paths emanating from it into the future."

The Session 16 films would be of particular interest to community members of Stanford's Perspectives in Assistive Technology course.

4:00pm - "Scars   Are you afraid to look at a different face? This film tells the tale of men and women that we look at with difficulty. They are our fellows, but at the same time we observe them from the corner of the eye because we lack the courage to look at them in the face. This film gives voice to the destroyed faces, identities riddled with chance or destiny. Malformed figures from birth and faces ravaged by the accidents of life. How does one live under the weight of difference? What can the most disturbing singularity tell us about our common humanity? This film is a face to face. A face to face between the characters and the viewer, but also between the characters and themselves. Scars takes place in the mythical French photography studio 'Harcourt' which, since 1934, has seen some of the biggest movies stars - a temple of glamour and a sanctuary of beauty. During a photo shoot, each character of this film had a chance to recapture the look on themselves and to get revenge when they’re not looked at with respect and consideration."

5:15pm - "Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements is a coming-of-age story about a boy growing up, his grandfather, Paul, growing old, and Ludwig van Beethoven, who crafted his Moonlight Sonata as he was going deaf. Director Irene Taylor Brodsky once again turns the camera on her deaf parents and, now, her 11-year-old deaf son Jonas, who has cochlear implants and is discovering a profound world of hearing - and music. As Jonas learns the first movement of Beethoven’s iconic sonata on the piano, his grandparents, deaf for nearly eighty years, watch with deepening awe about what time and technology have bestowed their grandson. But when Jonas struggles with the sound of his mistakes, Beethoven’s own musical journey comes to life in an animated world of watercolor and haunting soundscapes. As the great composer loses the sense that brought him so much music and fame, Jonas’s grandfather loses his grasp on his mind. Their lives weave a sonata over three centuries, about what we can discover once we push beyond what has been lost."

6:45pm - Panel "Creativity and Disability” (FREE Admission)

7:45pm - Reception with the filmmakers

Abilities Expo - Abilities Expo San Mateo Welcomes Northern California’s Disability Community.
"Passionate and committed to increasing their independence, people with disabilities in Northern California are poised to take advantage of the game-changing opportunities at Abilities Expo. They’ll come with questions and leave with answers! It could be the products and tech. It could be the chance to scale an all-inclusive climbing wall or play adaptive sports. It could be the workshops or the ability to connect with others in the disability community. It's free so join us and register today."

"Explore how assistive technology (AT) can help you or your loved ones bridge the gap between ability and disability! Discover an array of AT for people of all disabilities to experience hands-on. Staff will offer suggestions and share their extensive knowledge to help determine the most appropriate technology match for your abilities and situations. Ability Tools, formerly the AT Network, provides a variety of services for Californians of all ages with disabilities including: AT exchange marketplace, device lending libraries, financial loan program for AT, and information & referrals."

Age-Friendly Expo
"Join friends, neighbors, local businesses, and community service providers to celebrate Age-Friendly Redwood City. The Age-Friendly Expo - presented by AnewVista and Redwood City - will connect people with businesses and services that enhance independent living and quality of life for all adults in our community."

"Learn about transportation options, recreation programs, community resources, local services, and age-friendly businesses. In addition to the exhibition hall, there will be an auditorium for product demonstrations and trials. The expo will be providing a book for contacts, coupons, and special deals on products."