Recently, I’ve been exploring

Assistive Technology

Scroll down to explore my year of learning the basics, tinkering with materials, and creating with co-designers.

Adjustable switch holder for playing video games with feet in a bed.

Attachable touch guides for tablets.

Programming visual/cognitive/communicative supports on the iPad with GoTalkNow.

Making toys accessible to people who use switches.

A lightweight activity stand.

Custom chairs for children.

Clamps to tables/surfaces, creating a place to hang things.

A wheelchair attachment for switch stability and access.

Also called the iLean! A portable device stand invented by Dr. Irene Willkomm.

Highlighting an adaptation and exploring assistive sport technology

In the field…

I had many firsthand experiences during my Assistive Technology Innovations course. Click to see me drive power chairs and control robotic arms!

Hey! You made it.

Thank you for joining me on my exploration through the ins and outs of assistive technology. I hope you can tell how much I’ve learned, grown, and loved from immersing myself in this field.

And now, a quick summary of what, how, and why:

What did I make?

  • My favorite AT device that I made has to be the Video Game Switch Holder. I poured my entire life into that project and am so invested in its success. I’m working on a repair and improvement for our user as we speak.

  • My least favorite may be the Switch Mount just because it was the least hands-on process! I was already quite familiar with 3D printing.

How did I make it?

  • My favorite manufacturing tools are definitely laser cutting and 3D printing because I’m so familiar with them and know how powerful they are. I also loved the jump shear and heat rods; I thought they were very unique tools that I feel lucky to have tried!

  • My least favorite was the table saw simply for the horrible noise. But if I had worn earmuffs I wouldn’t have a least favorite. :)

Why AT?

  • AT has become a true passion and a very real career path for me. I have already applied some of this course’s manufacturing and problem-solving skills to other projects (like laser cutting, co-designer collaboration, and just the empathy of having talked to people who navigate with AT), and have visited AT centers on my own time because I want AT to stay in my life for, well, the rest of it.