Developing Assistive Technology - H79.2446/E40.2900
Thursdays 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Instructors: Anita Perr (anita.perr AT nyu.edu) and Marianne Petit (marianne.petit AT nyu.edu)

Description: This multi-disciplinary course allows students from a variety of backgrounds to work together to develop assistive technology. Partnering with outside organizations students will work in teams to identify a clinical need relevant to a certain clinical site or client population, and learn the process of developing an idea and following that through to the development of a prototype product. Teams will be comprised of ITP students as well as graduate rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy students. Prerequisites (for ITP students): Intro to Computational Media and Intro to Physical Computing

Relationship to Curriculum Design

This elective is designed to provide students the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary groups and to build skills in communication, critical thinking, and product development.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, students will:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of the process of developing assistive technology
  2. be able to assess the clinical site or client population to identify a need for an assistive device
  3. demonstrate an understanding of the roles of the professionals involved in developing and using assistive technology
  4. develop a prototype device for a clinical setting
  5. demonstrate the ability to communicate with co-workers from various fields
  6. demonstrate critical thinking in researching solutions to clinical problems

Outline of course content

Readings: Weekly articles of interest and assigned chapters.
Recommended readings:
"Assistive Technology for Rehabilitation Therapists" by Jennifer Angelo, Shelly Lane, Shelly J. Lane, F.A. Davis Company, 1999.
"Assistive Technology: Matching Device and Consumer for Successful Rehabilitation", by Marcia J. Scherer, American Psychological Association (APA), 2002

URLS of Interest

RESNA Student Design Application

Class urls

Major teaching-learning activities, assignments, and/or projects

The major learning activity is the design and fabrication of a device (piece of equipment, software, etc.) that meets a specific need for a specific person with a disability of a clinic that treats clients with disabilities or a category of people with similar needs as a result of their disability. Students will be required to present their progress at regular times to their classmates. They will report the results of their needs assessment, research regarding the problem, and the development process.

  1. To develop skills and foster a shared vocabulary necessary to communicate with team members, co-workers, and clients from different fields who may have different goals.
  2. To complete a needs assessment of a site or individual.
  3. To develop skills necessary in the identification of needs and in the research of possible solutions to clinical problems. This includes: the evaluation of products currently available, the analysis of their appropriateness and applicability, and the determination of alternative technologies or modifications necessary.
  4. To develop an understanding of disability and function, and to understand the impact of technology of the therapeutic process.
  5. To understand the iterative process of design which requires adaptability and change.
  6. To understand the practical issues surrounding the design of a technology solution (i.e. production schedule and budget issues)