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 - Tuesday, February 22nd at 4:15pm:

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.

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