This course introduces students to various assistive technologies that allow persons with disabilities to enjoy a more independent life, with a focus on designing and developing appropriate technological innovations. The course covers topics on disability communication and etiquette, principles of successful assistive technology design, and the various types of assistive technologies and software for persons with disabilities. This course also includes a service-learning project where students partner with relevant social service agencies or a person with a disability to identify and address existing challenges through developing a device, app, or other solutions that help them live more independently. 

The course broadly covers the following topics:

• Introduction to Assistive Technology 
• Disability Landscape in Singapore 
• Communication and Etiquette 
• Assistive Technology Design 
• Powered Mobility 
• Smart Home Assistive Technologies 
• Computer Access Technologies 
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication 
• Assistive Technology for Persons with Cerebral Palsy 
• Assistive Technology for Deaf Community 
• Assistive Technology for Persons with Visual Impairment 

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop a technological innovation prototype 
• Identify unmet needs in individuals with disability 
• Communicate effectively with persons with disabilities 
• Determine the technical specifications for a solution to the unmet needs 
• Establish principles and complexities of assistive technology design and engineering 
• Acquire experience in managing a team-based engineering project and working with a real client 
• Describe the spectrum of disabilities faced by individuals, and the range of government and social service agencies in Singapore 
• Describe the assistive technologies used in different types of disabilities 

This course is also part of the bGood programme, where you have opportunities to continue working on your project with a generous budget after the course, towards community deployment at scale while getting paid at the same time. For more information, please email biekahj@nus.edu.sg.