Wireless RERC - Universal Design

Open House Promotes HEALing

mz22 — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:33:58 +0000

Georgia Tech hosted a successful 5th Annual Healthy Environments & Active Lifestyles (HEAL) Open House on Tuesday, April 23. The open house showcased demonstrations of student projects and research from several Georgia Tech organizations, including: The Aware Home Research Initiative (AHRI), Design and Technology for Healthy Aging, The Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA), the Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (Wireless RERC) and others.

This year, the program included speakers organized by the Wireless RERC to kickoff the evening and set the stage. After a welcome address given by Dr. Archie Ervin, Vice President of Institute Diversity, the keynote address was given by Lee Mabie, director of Emerging Consumer Markets at AT&T. His comments focused on how the AT&T value, "Deliver the Future First," drives his team toward developing innovative product, service and customer experience solutions for people with disabilities, the aging population and their respective caregivers. Mabie also described how The Connected Child, a child-centered educational concept born out of AT&T’s Advisory Panel on Access and Aging (AAPAA), inspired him to innovate a new educational approach for his special needs daughter London and how that experience has fed back into his work at AT&T. Attendees then moved to the exhibits at the Wireless RERC, Aware Home and CATEA locations.

HEAL brought together projects from the participating organizations that revolved around a common theme: Showcase the great work being done at Georgia Tech related to independence through better design of environments and application of design and technology to improve the lives of people of all abilities. Several Virginia Tech projects were also presented via videos and further emphasized the importance of universal design in creating products appropriate for specific needs with mass appeal. Georgia Tech students and faculty were on hand to share their projects and research and to hear constructive feedback. Visitors did a great job providing that feedback and many students confirmed it was an exceptional experience. Visitor feedback from the event was very positive with some VIPs leaving “inspired” by the number of projects and mentioning a couple that stood out as strong contributions to the field of disability access. Thanks to all who helped with and participated in the event and to our visitors for making it a success.

Introducing Students to Universal Design and Wireless Technology

mz22 — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 21:17:11 +0000

Universal Design

wireless technology

Assistive Technology

Building Research Capacity in Wireless Accessibility and Usability

Publication Type:

Presentations

On February 15, 2013 James Mueller, a Wireless RERC scientist, presented “Getting Wireless: An Introduction to Universal Design and Wireless Technology” to 32 sophomore industrial design students at Virginia Tech. This is part of the Wireless RERC’s initiative to educate the next generation of wireless technology designers on universal design as a core practice for innovative and future design of products and applications.

The specific objectives of the project are to:

Increase universal design awareness.
Promote the application of universal design principles in the design of wireless technologies.
Encourage development of assistive technologies employing wireless technologies.
Provide advanced-level design training and support for future designers, who are highly qualified to promote and practice universal design of wireless technologies.

Legislation Mandates Accessible Learning Technology

mz22 — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:29:52 +0000

Universal Design

Assistive Technology

accessibility

Educational Technologies

H.R. 521

February 201 3— U.S. Representative George Miller (CA), the ranking Democrat in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, introduced a new education bill: The Transforming Education through Technology Act [H.R. 521]. The bill proposes that Congress fund educational grants to be distributed to states and districts totaling $500 million. The funds would support technology to improve the college-and-career readiness, achievement and engagement of all students, including those with disabilities. Specific to individuals with disabilities, the bill would require that when a State educational agency applies for an educational grant, they describe the tools and mechanisms that will be utilized to “improve instruction consistent with the principles of universal design for learning.” If funded, local educational agencies would be required to use learning technology consistent with the principles of universal design, as well as assistive technology, to ensure that all students have “equitable access to high-quality curriculum, instruction, assessments, technology and digital learning.” In addition, State agencies that receive funds must ensure that teachers, paraprofessionals, library and media personnel, specialized instructional support personnel and administrators are trained and capable of utilizing such technology.

Jim Mueller Presents at AIA Convention

blippincott4 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:05:06 +0000

Publication Type:

Jim Mueller, co-project director for the Wireless RERC’s User-Centered Research project , presented samples from the “Getting Wireless: Exploring Universal Design in Wireless Technologies” student design project during a seminar at the Architects Annual Convention in Washington, D.C. on May 19. During the month of April, student teams at Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech developed solutions for the wireless customer personas created based on data collected through the Wireless RERC’s Survey of User Needs (SUN). Students’ solutions at both schools included 3D models of wireless handsets and storyboards for applications to enhance the use and usability of these devices. All student project posters and teams will be displayed on the new Wireless RERC website. Stay tuned for the notice of their availability.

Accessing Higher Ground

blippincott4 — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:00:19 +0000

The University of Colorado at Boulder will host the 15th Annual Accessing Higher Ground Conference from November 12 – 16, 2012 at the Westin Hotel in Westminster, Colorado. The conference “focuses on the implementation and benefits of accessible media, universal design and assistive technology in the university, business and public settings” and will discuss topics including the accessibility of PDF documents and mobile applications and websites.

Additional Information

Accessing Higher Ground http://www.colorado.edu/ATconference/index.html

Start Date:

Monday, November 12, 2012 - 3:00pm to Friday, November 16, 2012 - 3:00pm

Additional Information:

Accessing Higher Ground

Assistive Technology

Universal Design

Industrial Design Student Projects to Address Universal Design in the Wireless World

blippincott4 — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:00:47 +0000

Publication Type:

04.20.12 – Last month, Jim Mueller kicked off the 2012 “Getting Wireless: Exploring Universal Design in Wireless Technologies,” where industrial design student teams at GA Tech and Virginia Tech completed their final designs for the Wireless RERC’s 2012 “Getting Wireless” universal design competition. On April 20, four teams selected from each school presented their final designs at the Industrial Designers Society of America regional conference, “Design Dialogue: Grow, Expand, Advance” in Atlanta, Georgia.