College
Senior Design Projects to Aid Individuals with Disabilities: A Promising Practice in Teaching about Assistive Technology
There are over 35 million people in the United States who have disabilities, all of whom have different needs. A lot of the assistive technology they need is either unavailable, very expensive, or requires custom modification. Many people with disabilities cannot afford custom modifications. For the past twenty years the University of Toledo has been introducing students to assistive technology through senior design projects.
How did the GARDE program support class projects that designed technology for people with disabilities?
The National Science Foundation's General & Age Related Disabilities Engineering (GARDE) program supported undergraduate engineering design projects that developed technology to support people with disabilities. Projects funded through this program had multiple benefits, including:
How can universal design, disability, and accessibility topics be integrated into the engineering curriculum?
Following are examples of strategies for integrating universal design, accessibility, and disability topics into the engineering curriculum, facilities, and programs.
What strategies can disability and information technology (IT) professionals implement to encourage accessibility of webpages, videos, and documents on their campuses?
Steps that disability and IT professionals can take to ensure the accessibility of their campus IT resources include:
College Affordability Guide
An Assistive Technology Course: A Promising Practice in Including Disability-Related Topics in the Engineering Curriculum
6.811: Principles and Practice of Assistive Technology (PPAT) is a semester-long, project-based course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) focused on the design and engineering of customized assistive devices for people with disabilities. In PPAT, small teams of students work closely with a person with a disability in the Cambridge, MA area to develop a product or solution that helps them live more independently.
Where can I find examples of engineering senior design projects that help individuals with disabilities?
There are limitless ways that senior design projects can help people with disabilities. Many faculty members do this by locating an individual with a disability who is looking to solve an accessibility problem. Students can then work to resolve the issue.
Collaboration Struggles in an Engineering Lab: A Case Study About a Student with Autism
Background
My name is Daniel. As an undergraduate mechanical engineering student, I am required to take a design and manufacturing laboratory course. In this course, students work in teams to build devices using mills, lathes, and other manufacturing equipment. I have high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. At the beginning of the term, I spoke with the instructor about my disability and accommodations.
Michael and Depression: A Case Study in Collaboration and Disability Awareness
Background
My name is Michael. During spring quarter, I experienced a depressive episode. This episode negatively impacted my concentration, short-term memory, and stamina. My grades suffered as a result.