Join the Outreach effort that applies your Maker skills

where they’re desperately needed today!

One Minute about Me… Bill Binko Founder, ATMakers.org

Computer Engineer – University of Florida (1993)

15+ Years Developer/Architect @ Dell/Perot Systems

Custom Development for Fortune 500 Clients

AT&T, Nationwide, CBOE, London Clearing House, etc.

Repeatedly parachuted into burning projects by Hans Wolf

Co-Founded LessonPix.com (w/Rockin’ artist wife Lori)

Tool for Special Ed Teachers & Speech Pathologists

Currently > 18,000 Users in 57 Countries

Suddenly at Many Assistive Technology Conferences

ATIA, Closing the Gap, GATE, PATTAN, etc.

Appalled by the state of A.T. (appx 1990 tech.)

What’s Assistive Technology?

Any device that helps

users perform everyday

tasks

Switches, Speech Devices,

Power Chairs, Braille

Terminal, Eye-Gaze

Custom and C.O.T.S.

Generally Not Medical

ATMakers.orgGoal: Introduce STEM Clubs & ATPs

In the same district (same building): No clue about each other

Students in STEM/Robotics clubs have critical skills needed by people who use Assistive Technology

Needed TODAY, not after graduation/college

Fantastic source of Service Hours & Projects

ATPs cannot create the custom solutions they need

Both sides need help communicating

ATP: “What’s a Raspberry Pi?” – “Make it work like my garage door!”

STEM: “Why can’t he just talk?” – “I’m afraid I’ll say something wrong”

STEM/Robotics & ATP Challenges

Assistive Tech Issues

No Funding/Time for Custom Solutions

Ridiculous Caseload

Lengthy Approval for Trial Efforts

Little time for Assessment/Intervention

Lack of knowledge of new tech

“Don’t know what we don’t know”

They are Care Givers: Not Engineers

Usually SLP/OT/SPED Teacher

High School STEM Issues

Solutions without Problems

“’Sup Brows”, “CosPlay”, “Upside Down Drone”

Need true achievements w/real impact

“College Applications/Essays Read Much Better”

Too focused on gaining skills for the future

Need to see beyond school walls

Lack of Gratitude/Empathy

Even the best teens are teens

The Last Straw: ‘Sup Brows

$35 EMG Switch used to text “’Sup” to your friends.

(NOT Used to allow children w/SMA Type 1 to control their environments)

Awesome Outreach Efforts

Already Completed By Clearwater Central Catholic H.S. Tech Club

Switch Adapted 12V Car/Jeep/ATV

Provide Mobility

on Playground

Added Relay &

AT Switch Port

w/UF Engineering

4/5 y.o. w/CP

HT: Go Baby Go

Skills Needed:• Basic Electrical Circuits

• Strip/Crimp Wires

• Simple Body Mods

• Switch Mounting

My Favorite Pics of the Day

Experience Gained:• Actual Impact on Mobility• Engagement w/SPED kiddos• Empathy & Gratitude

• Working w/Peers

• Exposure to UF Engineering

• Realizing “They’re Just Kids”

Home Automation for Adult w/C.P.

Interview User

Asked what to automate

Install & Config.

Bluetooth Bulbs

Amazon Echo

Nest Thermostat

IFTTT (Text Mom)

Garagio (soon)

Document All

Skills Needed:

• Low Voltage Wiring

• App Installation

• Voice Training

Experience:

• Tough Interview

• IoT Integration

• Appreciation for Uncle

Switch Adapted Wireless Bubbles

Students soldered switch ports into bubble blowers

Prototyped & documented Wireless Switch

Max’s Dad followed instructions (we sent blowers)

Experience:

• First view of devastating impairment (SMA Type 1)

• Long-Distance Impact (Maryland)

• Public show of appreciation (Yahnatan’s Video)

Skills Needed (&Learned):

• Soldering/Desoldering

• Basic Circuits (Relays & Switches)

• Troubleshooting w/Multimeter

• RF Remote Control

ATMakers.org Resources

What does ATMakers.org provide for the ATP and STEM communities?

Guides and Instructional Videos

Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT)

Modern Home Automation

Intro to Maker Components:

What’s an Raspberry Pi?

What’s an Arduino?

What’s Hard and What’s Easy?

Home Wiring vs. Low Voltage

Local vs. Networked

Finding Makers Online

For ATPs For STEM/Robotics Project Tutorials

Switch Adapted Toys

RF Wireless Switches

Scanning Games (Cariboo)

Keyboard/Bluetooth Switch Interface

Automating a Home for AT Users

How to talk to someone using AAC

Always Presuming Competence

Finding AT Info Online

Community & Support

Facebook Group: ATMakers.org Makers & Users

Central Repository: ATMakers.org

Glossary (Maker & AT Terminology)

Projects & Guides

Gallery of Success

AT Industry Liaison

Supported by ATIA (Industry Association)

Members include employees at top AT firms

(LessonPix, Ablenet, Prentke Romich, ProxTalker, and More)

What’s Next?

How to Sell This To Your Students

1. Which sounds better on a college application:

“I made a drone that flies upside down” OR

“I created a switch interface that allowed Joey to speak”

2. These are Service Hours that are actually fun!

3. You can Automate your own House, too!

4. The AT Industry is ripe for disruption: you can get rich!

ATIA Invitation

ATIA: Assistive Technology Industry Association

Largest Industry Association in the space

Convention in Orlando in January

CEO David Dikter’s Invitation

Bring your team to ATIA – on him

Full (supervised) access to the conference

ATIA will provide Poster Presentation Space for your team

Showcase your Outreach

We need your help!

We need adults and teens who can help us:

Produce Guides & Videos

Tune & Tweak our Wordpress Site

Moderate the Facebook Group

Chaperone teens at AT Conferences

Connect with Influencers

Come Join Us!

We’re ready to work with you!

Fill out the form on the flyer

Join us on Facebook

Join our Video Chats for Sponsors/Teachers

Contact your district’s AT Department and

share this info

Get your kids engaged with AT Users