Winter Quarter 2011 Course Announcement

ENGR110/210
Perspectives in Assistive Technology

David L. Jaffe, MS and Professor Drew Nelson
Tuesdays & Thursdays   4:15pm - 5:30pm
Main Quad, Building 370, Classroom 370


Lectures

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10
Tue Thu
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Tue Thu
Tue Thu
Tue Thu
Tue Thu
Tue Thu
Tue Thu
Tue Thu
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Tuesday, February 22rd

photo of Ray Grott

Practical and Appropriate Technology Solutions
Ray Grott, MA, ATP, RET
San Francisco State University

Abstract: The role of the assistive technologist and rehabilitation engineer is to arrive at a successful match between the abilities, needs, and goals of an individual with a disability and the technology tools they need to perform their desired tasks. These days, many technology tools are available off-the-shelf. When that is not the case, existing ones may need to be modified or custom ones designed and fabricated. Unfortunately, not all efforts are successful. In this session, we will discuss the importance of a collaborative design process that includes the "consumer" of the technology. Through examples and case studies, we will explore the value of creative problem solving, the pitfalls of "over engineering" solutions, and the benefits of simple, cost-effective approaches.

Biosketch: Ray Grott, MA, ATP, RET is Director of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology (RET) Project at San Francisco State University where he has taught classes in technology for people with disabilities since 1992. He has worked directly with hundreds of people with a wide range of disabilities providing assistive technology solutions. He not only conducts assessments and helps match people to the appropriate existing technologies, but is often found in his shop creating new ones. He is certified as an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET) from RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America). Ray also serves on the Board of Directors of RESNA.

Contact information:
Ray Grott, Director
RET Project
San Franciso State University
415/338-1333
rgrott -at- sfsu.edu
Lecture Material:
Pre-lecture slides - 402 Kb pdf file
ME Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI)
Electric jolts help spinal patients regain use of hands (video)
Grammy Reporter Slurred Speech (video)
Aaron Fortheringham's single wheelchair backflip (video)
Aaron Fortheringham's double wheelchair backflip (video)
VA Palo Alto Health Care System map - pdf file
Slides - 6.11 Mb pdf file
Audio - 1:14:22 - 17.0 Mb mp3 file
Links:


Updated 02/23/2011

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