title: Undergraduate design projects to aid persons with disabilities: reflections.
abstract: In Spring 2002 the University of Wyoming, College of Engineering, received a five year grant from the National Science Foundation to link senior capstone design projects with the custom requirements of the assistive technology (AT) community. This serendipitous collaboration has been highly beneficial to our senior design students as well as individuals with a disability requiring one-of-a-kind AT devices. Now that the program is coming to a close on its five year term, we believe there are lessons we have learned that would be valuable to others considering participation in such a program. We will briefly review program development and organization, highlight lessons learned, and discuss program benefits and pitfalls. Paper emphasis will be on the practical implementation and management of this valuable program. Due to the rich benefits received from participating in the program, we plan on applying for a second five year program funding increment.
authors.affiliation: Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department 3295, 1000 E. University Avenue, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA. steveb@uwyo.edu
authors.forename: Steven F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Barret
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Root-Elledge
mesh_terms: D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003479:Curriculum; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004738:Engineering / Q000193:education*; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration; D014959:Wyoming