Unlimited Assistive Technology
From comfort blankets all the way to brain embedded microchips, there are countless examples of how technology improves the lives of those living with disabilities. If you can identify an item like this in your community, congratulations! You now have made your first discoveries in the growing field of assistive technology!
The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) defines Assistive technology (AT) as
“Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.”
These can range from robots that dispense medicine to people in hospitals to brain controlled wheelchairs. In fact the ATIA provides these wonderful examples:
- AT can be low-tech: communication boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt.
- AT can be high-tech: special-purpose computers.
- AT can be hardware: prosthetics, mounting systems, and positioning devices.
- AT can be computer hardware: special switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.
- AT can be computer software: screen readers and communication programs.
- AT can be inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.
- AT can be specialized curricular software.
- AT can be much more—electronic devices, wheelchairs, walkers, braces, educational software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze and head trackers, and much more.
What could the future of assistive technology look like with advanced prosthetics and brain computer interfaces? That is the question the NeuroMaker judging committee would like to pose to you as you research, define, ideate, prototype, refine and present!
Your NeuroMaker Challenge:
Research: Discover issues facing people with disabilities around the world and imagine what methods we can take to improve their life with technology. Use different learning resources to empathize with the issues facing people in this community.
Define: Out of these discovered issues, choose one to focus your efforts. Identify the user, their needs and any insights that can provide design opportunities.
Ideate and Prototype: Brainstorm different solutions to the issue you have identified. Using the NeuroMaker Hand, NeuroMaker BCI and other resources at your disposal, create material prototypes that demonstrate the effectiveness of your solution.
Refine and Present: Test your prototypes and document your learning and design process. When ready, create a video and written summary of your solution and submit these to NeuroMaker engineers for review.
Recognition and Development: Attend our virtual awards ceremony and learn how others have solved the issues they have defined. Win cash prizes to further refine your solution and gain recognition from real assistive technology engineers.