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

Designing Beyond the Norm to Meet the Needs of All People

This issue invites you to attend the next class session,
encourages your participation in the course's Assistive Technology Faire,
and announces two new local events.

Next class session - Thursday, February 8th at 4:30pm:

Abstract: Peter will talk about the difference between Universal, Adaptable, and Adaptive design. Peter was the first undergraduate using a wheelchair for mobility to live on the Stanford campus in 1976 when accessibility issues were just beginning to be addressed. Those experiences and the desire to participate in the same physical activities as every other college student who had professional and recreational interests shaped his career as a designer. Peter will share how his interests spawned the creation of Beneficial Designs, Inc. to support the development of personal, activity specific and environmental technologies for people of all abilities. His experience in obtaining Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grants to develop and functionally assess products, services, and the designs of outdoor environments, has provided many opportunities for he and his staff to change the way people with impairments of all kinds are able to participate in all aspects of life activity. His company works toward universal access through research, design, and education to enable persons of all abilities to participate in the physical, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of life.

Biosketch: Peter Axelson is a rehabilitation engineer who sustained a spinal cord injury in a 1975 climbing accident while in the Air Force Academy. He continued his education at Stanford University, where he began applying engineering and design principles to overcome daily living hurdles faced by people with disabilities. In 1981 he founded Beneficial Designs, Inc. an engineering design firm dedicated to designing, developing, and testing assistive technologies. His accomplishments include developing the first chairlift-compatible mono-ski with a shock absorber, working to establish wheelchair testing standards, improving seating systems for wheelchairs, and creating a system to assess trails that will improve access to outdoor trails for people of all abilities.

Peter is the founder and the Director of Research and Development of Beneficial Designs and spends much of his time traveling throughout the world attending meetings and presenting his work. He's also a pilot and avid mono-skier.

Attend a lecture - The schedule of guest lectures has been finalized. Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:50pm and are open to the greater Stanford community. You are most welcome to sit in on any class sessions that interest you. You need not be a Stanford student and there is no required signup, enrollment, or charge. The class will meet in a large, tiered, accessible classroom on campus in the Thornton Center, 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.

You are invited to participate in the Assistive Technology Faire - This sixth 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. Users of assistive technology products as well as small companies and agencies serving individuals with disabilities and older adults are encouraged to bring assistive technology devices and information to display, demonstrate, and discuss. Please browse to the Call for Assistive Technology Faire Participants webpage and contact me if you would like to be a part of this event as a user or vendor of assistive technology products or services. Everyone is welcome to attend the faire. The Faire will start at 4:30pm on Thursday, March 1st just outside the classroom, Thornton 110. Here are Dave's and Arne's photos from last year's Faire.

Upcoming class sessions:

Tuesday, February 13th Field Trip to the Magical Bridge Playground Thursday, February 15th Mid-term Student Team Project Presentations Tuesday, February 20th Motion & Gait Analysis

Upcoming Local Events

Avenidas Generations Lab Tech Talk The Avenidas Generations Lab invites you to attend a fireside chat with Dr. Manjula Waldron and Richard Adler as they examine "The Living with Smart Robots: Fact / Fiction". When: Friday, February 9th from 11am to 12:30pm Where: Cubberley Community Center, Building "I", Second floor, 4000 Middlefield Rd., Suite #I-2, Palo Alto Admission: Ages 15 and above - Free

Center on Longevity Design Challenge Finals Come for a day of exciting pitches by student teams from across the globe as they present their ideas for "Promoting Lifelong Healthy Habits through Design!" The Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge offers cash prizes and free entrepreneur mentorship in a competition open to all university students around the world who want to design products and services which optimize long life for us all. When: Tuesday, April 17th from 8:30am - 4:00pm Where: Paul Brest Hall, 555 Salvatierra Walk, Stanford Admission: Register for free

Stanford GSB Cool Product Expo "The Cool Product Expo is an annual exposition of the most innovative products from Silicon Valley and beyond. Every year exhibitors come to Stanford GSB to demonstrate groundbreaking hardware, software, consumer tech, wearables, thinkables, driveables - anything and everything you can imagine." When: Wednesday, April 18th from 3 - 4pm Where: Knight Management Center, Town Square, Graduate School of Business, Stanford Admission: Free and open to the public

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.

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