Welcome to this edition of  Perspectives,  the e-newsletter of the Stanford course Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

What is the course? - Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter course at Stanford that explores issues surrounding the design, development, and use of assistive technology for people with disabilities and seniors. More information can be found on the course website.

Invitation to attend - You are invited to attend all class lectures. They will be held in the Main Quad, Building 370, Classroom 370 on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 4:15 to 5:30pm and are free and open to the public.

Next class session - Thursday, January 27th at 4:15pm:

Abstract: A good problem statement often leads to simple devices and alternate procedures that require very little adaptations. A set of tools and instruments serving the job-related and daily-living activities of individuals with vision impairments will be displayed and described including techniques for electronic and mechanical measurement.

Biosketch: Bill Gerrey has worked as an electrical engineer at the Rehabilitation Engineering Center of the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco for over 35 years where he designs vocational assistive devices, including measuring instruments and devices relating to job modification.

Bill was born in Reno, NV in 1947 and has been totally blind since a very early age. His interest in devices for the blind goes back to his early childhood. His father, who was also blind, kindled his passions for radio and early recording machines. His father's collection of The Braille Technical Press which dates back to 1950 became an integral part of Bill's education. With the encouragement of Robert W. Gunderson, the editor of the magazine, the Technical File, a publication of technical information for blind enthusiasts, was born and continues to be supported by Smith-Kettlewell.

He got his amateur radio license (WA6NPC) in 1960 as a teenager and now holds an Extra Class license.

Bill earned a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from California State Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo in 1971.

Bill is a member of many professional organizations including IEEE, RESNA, AAAS, and NFB.

Do you have a question or comment? - David L. Jaffe, MS, the course organizer, can be reached by email or at 650/892-4464.