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1Sept 2007

Making a DifferenceAssistive Technology:

Technical Solutions for the Disabled

Alan Rux

Senait Haileselassie

2Sept 2007

Question ?

What do you do ?Answer

I’m a Engineer !

3Sept 2007

Question ?

What does that mean ?Answer

As a Engineer

I design solutions

to problems and needs that people all over the world have.

4Sept 2007

Is this right on?

Do Engineers through design solve

problems and improve the quality

of life for people around the

world.

Discussion: agree or disagree ???

5Sept 2007

Well, if so

Let me introduce you to a few

special folks who have some

needs and problems that you as an

Engineer can design solutions for

that will make a difference .

6Sept 2007

Kevin has Cerebral Palsy with no hand or foot

control, limited voice. Would like to control

selections of music and get on the internet with

email.

7Sept 2007

Derek, intelligent young 12 year old unable to control

his movements, is non-verbal, his father said he’s

trapped inside his body

8Sept 2007

Anna, 4 year old

with spinal core

injury from auto

accident

Quadriplegic with

no movement

below the neck,

verbal, wants to

control a computer

when attending

school

9Sept 2007

Fred, 55 years old person with ALS, on a mechanical respirator

,has slight muscle control, Speaks softly, Created his own

“World Art for ALS Awareness” would like to get control back

into his life.

10Sept 2007

Ethel has Cerebral Palsy with no hand

control, limited voice (non-verbal). Would like

to control a computer and earn her GED

11Sept 2007

Just a few examples of

problems that people

have and require

engineering design to

meet their needs.

12Sept 2007

YOUAs a Engineer hold the

KEYthrough

13Sept 2007

Better Design

14Sept 2007

Modification of Present Design

15Sept 2007

New Innovation

16Sept 2007

Independent Stair Climbing

17Sept 2007

Head Control of Wheelchair

18Sept 2007

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology, sometimes

known as Adaptive Technology,

includes devices or equipment

used to maintain, increase or

improve the abilities of

individuals with disabilities

19Sept 2007

Assistive technology is NOT only computer

programs or electronic devices. Since many

people think of computers when thinking of

technology, this is a common mistake.

Assistive technology doesn’t have to be high-

tech, but it should serve the purpose of

“assistance” and can include anything from a

stick one uses to reach for something to a

walker or a wheelchair, or more complex items

such as environmental controls or adapted

vehicles.

20Sept 2007

Are YOU

UP to the

Challenge ?

21Sept 2007

The Assistive Technology Program (ATP)

Assistive Technology is the application of

engineering and science to build solutions to

help physically and mentally disabled

individuals in their daily life

22Sept 2007

• Every Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering senior does an AT project

• A unique program – one of the few in the country

– ECE undergrad program for 15 years

– Nationally recognized –senior projects published in NSF report

• Program supports over 20 local agencies

• Funded by the Zuckerberg trust fund, NSF

• Seniors gain design experience

– Work within cost and time constraints

– Responsibility for a deliverable to a client

• Service to an underserved community of mentally and physically disabled clients

• Students become more socially aware

The Assistive Technology Program (ATP)

23Sept 2007

Assistive Technology Program

ATP offers opportunities for interdisciplinary projects

Motorized Trike

Page turner Portable Wheelchair

24Sept 2007

Some Assistive Technology Tools

• Voice recognition

• Chip accelerometers (senses motion)

• Touch screens

• Environmental Controls

• Biological sensors – like the “Mind Mouse”

25Sept 2007

How Fortunate I am.

26Sept 2007

Special Need Education.

27Sept 2007

Teaching Clock

28Sept 2007

Teaching Clock w/ Voice

29Sept 2007

Employment opportunity

30Sept 2007

Special Need Education

31Sept 2007

Creating Independence

32Sept 2007

A Page Turner

33Sept 2007

Employment Opportunity

34Sept 2007

Life altering Event

35Sept 2007

Restoring Independence

36Sept 2007

Voice Activated Telephone

37Sept 2007

Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans

Hospital, Bedford MA.

38Sept 2007

Snoezelen Experience

39Sept 2007

LEARNING MUSICAL DEVICE

“Fun Box”

40Sept 2007

Smart

Shoes

41Sept 2007

Are You

ready to be the

Engineer

Who will be part of the next

solution ?

42Sept 2007

Theodore Seuss Geisel: Author

• In late 1990, Ted's biographers asked if, after all that he had said in his books, there was anything left unsaid. Several days later, Ted handed them a sheet of paper on which he had written:

43

• Whenever things go a bit sour in a job I'm doing, I always tell myself, "You can do better than this.

• "The best slogan I can think of to leave with the kids of the U.S.A. would be:

• 'We can…and we've got to...do better than this.'"

Sept 2007

44

• With all his words and pleas for

sanity, his opposition to the arms

race, illiteracy, prejudice,

pollution and greed,

• Ted was speaking to

everyone, not just

children.Sept 2007

45Sept 2007

How

Do I

start ?

46Sept 2007

At U-Mass Lowell for present students

• College of Engineering SLICE

(service learning in college of engineering)

• Capstone Design Projects

• Volunteer (ECE Dept. Assistive Technology

Program has more requests than students in

their senior year)

47Sept 2007

• Every Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering senior does an AT project

• A unique program – one of the few in the country

– ECE undergrad program for 21 years

– Nationally recognized –senior projects published in NSF report, RESNA

• Program supports over 30 local agencies

• Funded by the Zuckerberg trust fund & NSF

• Seniors gain design experience

– Work within cost and time constraints

– Responsibility for a deliverable to a client

• Students become more socially aware

The Assistive Technology Program (ATP)

48Sept 2007

Assistive Technology

Program

Students Appling their Engineering Skills and the newest advances in technology to design devices that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

49Sept 2007

Assistive Technology

Program

With complex projects students team together and assign tasks that fit their direction of studies

Software

&

Hardware

50Sept 2007

Assistive Technology

Program

Our student’s custom

designed devices give

hope to a person that

needs that special

electronic device that

is not on the market

51Sept 2007

Assistive Technology

Program

In the Capstone Design

Program the student must

meet and interface with

their client to be sure that

the device that they

design will meet their

needs.

52Sept 2007

Assistive Technology

Program

Students present the

new Devices and

technology at many

conferences and in

published papers

RESNA

53Sept 2007

Assistive Technology

Program

Many students

become friends with

their clients and stay

in contact with them

long after the project

is completed and

after graduation.

54Sept 2007

(Project Example)

PALS CC

(Person with ALS Control Center)

By: Kiersten

October 2, 2007

55Sept 2007

Client

• 55 years old

• Created his own “World

Art for ALS

Awareness”

• Mechanical respirator

• Slight muscle control

• Speaks softly

56Sept 2007

Unable to Call the Nurses Station

• Unable to press the

traditional “call button”

• Currently has a failed

speaker system

– Static

– Doesn’t recognize his

voice

57Sept 2007

Client and Kiersten

58Sept 2007

Assistive Technology

…become an engineer

and learn how to design

technology to help

people

Prof. Alan Rux, UMass Lowell

Ms. Senait Haileselassie, UMass Lowell

59Sept 2007

1. Identify need

or problem

2. Research

need

3. Develop pos-

sible solutions

4. Select best

solution

5. Construct

a prototype

6. Test &

Evaluate

7. Present

solution

8. Redesign

The Engineering Design Process…

…can be used to

solve ANY type of

problem

60Sept 2007

1. Identify need

or problem

2. Research

need

3. Develop pos-

sible solutions

4. Select best

solution

5. Construct

a prototype

6. Test &

Evaluate

7. Present

solution

8. Redesign

1. Identify need

or problem

61Sept 2007

1. Identify need

or problem

2. Research

need

3. Develop pos-

sible solutions

4. Select best

solution

5. Construct

a prototype

6. Test &

Evaluate

7. Present

solution

8. Redesign

• List design requirements & constraints

62Sept 2007

1. Identify need

or problem

2. Research

need

3. Develop pos-

sible solutions

4. Select best

solution

5. Construct

a prototype

6. Test &

Evaluate

7. Present

solution

8. Redesign

63Sept 2007

1. Identify need

or problem

2. Research

need

3. Develop pos-

sible solutions

4. Select best

solution

5. Construct

a prototype

6. Test &

Evaluate

7. Present

solution

8. Redesign

64Sept 2007

Sample Decision Matrix

Design Criteria Arm Speakerphone Headset

Safety - easy access 5 5 5

Safety - wires don't get tangled 5 5 5

Reliability - client can use every

time 4 5 4

Reliability - length without charging

phone 3 4 3

Reliability - strength of materials 5 5 4

Economical - costs under $150 5 1 1

Ease of use 4 5 3

Easy to make 3 1 5

Difficulty of maintaining (charging) 4 2 4

Difficulty obtaining materials 4 1 5

Totals 42 34 39

65Sept 2007

1. Identify need

or problem

2. Research

need

3. Develop pos-

sible solutions

4. Select best

solution

5. Construct

a prototype

6. Test &

Evaluate

7. Present

solution

8. Redesign

66Sept 2007

1. Identify need

or problem

2. Research

need

3. Develop pos-

sible solutions

4. Select best

solution

5. Construct

a prototype

6. Test &

Evaluate

7. Present

solution

8. Redesign

67Sept 2007

1. Identify need

or problem

2. Research

need

3. Develop pos-

sible solutions

4. Select best

solution

5. Construct

a prototype

6. Test &

Evaluate

7. Present

solution

8. Redesign

68Sept 2007

1. Identify need

or problem

2. Research

need

3. Develop pos-

sible solutions

4. Select best

solution

5. Construct

a prototype

6. Test &

Evaluate

7. Present

solution

8. Redesign

69Sept 2007

SMART

HOMEControl & Automation

70Sept 2007

71Sept 2007

Internet connection

72Sept 2007

73Sept 2007

Finger print door lock

74Sept 2007

Auto Light Switch

75Sept 2007

Lawn mower robot

76Sept 2007

Remote control

77Sept 2007

Mind Mouse

78Sept 2007

79Sept 2007

Adaptive

Architecture

Accessible to all who live there

or who come to visit no matter

what their age or ability

80Sept 2007

Home

81Sept 2007

Wheelchair

82Sept 2007

Disability

83Sept 2007

ACCESSIBILITY

84Sept 2007

Accessible Home Modification

85Sept 2007

RAMP ANGLES

• Level – Ideal

• <1:20 – Accessible pathway

• Max 1:10 – Assistance required

• >1:10 - Hazard

86Sept 2007

Accessible Home Modification

87Sept 2007

Creating Accessible Homes

88Sept 2007

Accessible Homes

89Sept 2007

Entrance

usable

without

steps

90Sept 2007

Compare Homes !

91Sept 2007

Normal Kitchen

92Sept 2007

Person

in powered

chair

93Sept 2007

Problems – accessibility

94Sept 2007

Design for accessibility

95Sept 2007

Seated person able to reach

96Sept 2007

Normal cook stove

97Sept 2007

Solution

98Sept 2007

examples

99Sept 2007

Washing combo

100Sept 2007

solutions

101Sept 2007

Universal design features

• Removing barriers• More comfort in our homes

• More automation

• Adapt to changing needs

• Easier and safer ways to carry out your daily

activities

102Sept 2007

Door Knob

103Sept 2007

Improvement on knob Design

104Sept 2007

Better Design

105Sept 2007

Best Design

106Sept 2007

Lever Door Handle

107Sept 2007

Barrier Free

Design

108Sept 2007

Barrier-free design strives to make

the built environment accessible to

and useable by all persons.

It promotes integration and independence through

design that is safe, functional and dignified for

everyone.

Because barrier-free design is fundamentally good

design, it is aesthetically pleasing.

109Sept 2007

Questions ?

Discussion:

110Sept 2007

Assistive Technology Program

For more information about this program

check out our website

http:// atp.uml.edu

or contact the

Assistive Technology Program

U-Mass, Lowell ( 978 ) 934-3330

934-3342