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

Virtual Instruction - Stanford has decided to conduct the first two weeks of class virtually so that students can return to campus and get tested for COVID before returning to in-person in-class learning.

Guest Lecturer Schedule - The schedule of guest lecturers has been finalized. For more information about each presenter and their topic, browse to the course lecture schedule webpage. Community members are welcome to attend class sessions when in-person instruction resume in Week 3, but will have to attest to being vaccinated or receiving a negative COVID test result. Masking during class sessions may be required for everybody.

Upcoming Virtual Class Sessions:

• Tuesday, January 4th - Course Overview & Introduction to Assistive Technology
• Thursday, January 6th - Project Pitch Day
• Tuesday, January 11th - Creating Assistive Technologies - Understanding the Problem
• Thursday, January 13th - Bridging the Gap between Consumers and Products in Rehabilitation Medicine

Student Enrollment - As of today, 40 students have signed up for the course, with 26 working on team projects. Of those, 2 are Freshmen, 2 are Sophomores, 8 are Juniors, 15 are Seniors, and 13 are Graduate students.

Perspectives of Stanford Students and Faculty with a Disability - Several students and one faculty member have agreed to participate in a panel discussion in the class session on Tuesday, January 18th. They will talk about their disabilities, the challenges they have faced, why they chose to attend Stanford, their academic and career goals, and the assistive technology they employ to be successful students. The most recent addition is Tilly Griffiths.