Winter Quarter 2008 Course Announcement:

ENGR110/210: Perspectives in Assistive Technology

with Professor Drew Nelson
and David L. Jaffe, MS
Winter Quarter, Tuesdays 4:15pm - 5:05pm
Location: Meyer Forum (Meyer Library, Room 124)

Assignment One
Problem Identification

Due Friday - February 8, 2008 at 5pm
In Professor Drew Nelson's Office - Terman 517


For your first assignment you are asked to pursue and report on the following tasks. Your team's report should be 3 to 5 pages in length.

  1. Form a project team of no more than three members.

  2. Select a suitable and appropriate name for your team and pick a project leader.

  3. Choose a team project from the list of project suggestions.

  4. Contact the individual(s) listed who suggested the project and get information including details about the problem/need, the disability group(s) targeted, the current solution employed (if any) and its shortcomings or limitations, the potential benefits of an improved solution, and the design features / specifications from his/her point of view.

  5. Identify and interview at least one individual who is affected by this problem/need and determine specifically how it affects him/her, the benefits of an improved solution, and the design features / specifications from his/her point of view.

  6. Gather information on other solution alternatives including commercially available products (browse Abledata), research projects, and previous student projects.

  7. Determine the magnitude of the problem/need and identify all the populations who may benefit from an improved solution.

  8. Provide a concise and convincing statement of how your project might address the need/problem. Outline general design concepts and new technology that might be brought to bear on it.

For next time:
In the next assignment you will asked to formulate and describe a preliminary set of design concepts, and to focus on a specific design solution. Teams will present their design in class and submit a Design Proposal Report.


Updated 04/16/2008

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