Background
Virginia Bock, the
Director of Communications for Stanford's Haas Center for Public Service - the
organization that funds my course - asked me to contact Project Suggestors
regarding their positive experiences working with student teams on their
projects this past Winter Quarter. Here are two projects that Abby pursued with
teams: project descriptions, photos, and her comments.
Abby's 2025
Biosketch
Abby is an artist; a former art teacher (grades
K-College), clinical social worker, and computer graphic designer. She is an
individual with mobility challenges and a visual impairment. She is interested
in product design and how it helps individuals increase functionality. She is
passionate about making a difference and advocating for individual rights. She
has been involved with disability organizations, speaking at conferences,
volunteering with organizations, and in partnering in student projects. She
holds master's degrees in Art, Social Work, and Assistive Technology Studies
and Human Services.
Project Description -
Universal Water Bottle and Phone Holder
Background: Abby uses four different mobility
devices on different occasions: two WHILLwheelchairs, a motorized TravelScoot
scooter, and a manual wheelchair.
Problem: Abby could benefit from a conveniently
located water bottle and phone holder on her mobility devices. Currently she
has to dig through storage bags that she carries on the side or the
back.
Aim: Explore designs for a water bottle and phone
holder that she can easily access.
Design Criteria:
- Must not interfere
with the operation of her mobility devices
- Must be able to be
easily moved and installed on any of her mobility devices
Project Description -
Enhanced Visibility Project for Abby's Wheelchair
Background: "The WHILL wheelchair does have some
rear lights, but no real way to illuminate my path for early morning or late
afternoon activities such as walking my dog or going out at night. This is a
real problem when you consider where there are van accessible parking spaces
and locations of activities. A movie and restaurant outing may include parking
in one place and meeting friends in a location a block or so away. Lighting is
not always available in parking lots and many times parking lots are located in
back of buildings. Adequate lighting means the difference between safe
maneuvering for both me and my service dog wherever I want to go."
Problem: Abby's wheelchair has limited front and
side lighting which creates a safety hazard while walking Nathan in the early
morning or traveling at night.
Aim: Explore ways to enhance the nighttime
visibility of Abby's wheelchair.
Design Criteria:
- Must provide both
forward illumination and side visibility
- Must be easy to
attach and remove
Project
Photos
Images documenting these student team projects are
linked below. The photos are credited to both Abby and the students.
Abby's
Comments
"It was delightful partnering with students in ENGR
110, "Perspectives in Assistive Technology." This past year two of the five
teams I partnered with, HydroHold and Radiant Rollers, created
unique universal designs. HydroHold fabricated a water bottle and phone
holder that worked on power wheelchairs, scooters, and manual wheelchairs.
Radiant Rollers designed and built a lighting system that worked on my
power wheelchairs and scooter. The designs of both teams had a "Coolness
Factor" making their assistive technology prototype devices highly adoptable.
Both teams collaborated with me from sketches through prototypes to refine
their ideas to best meet my challenges. There were benefits to both students
and to me. The engineering design process helped increase attitudes for people
with disabilities, showing the common humanity of all individuals. In addition,
students developed pride in their work designing for another individual, and I
learned from the students and received unique, personalized assistive
technology solutions." |
