UVic ingenuity goes on display at open house
A tricycle that a sight-impaired child can ride. A communication device
based on eye movement. A laptop computer specially designed for people
in wheelchairs.
All these devices—and more—will be on display on Thursday, Oct. 9 when the University of Victoria Assistive Technology Team (UVATT), holds its first Open House. The event takes place from 12:30 to 7 p.m. in the Student Union Building’s Michele Pujol room.
UVATT is a group of more than 300 UVic faculty, staff and students who give their time and expertise to develop and test new devices for people with disabilities. Included on the team are UVic machinists, computer scientists, electrical and mechanical engineers, biologists, physiologists, psychologists, neuroscientists, technicians, and students.
Open House visitors will have an opportunity to meet members of the UVATT team and try out some of the technologies and devices they’ve designed.
“Since UVATT was created in 1999, we’ve had hundreds of students and other volunteers working on a wide range of projects,” says Dr. Nigel Livingston, a UVic biologist and director of the team. “This Open House is an opportunity to show the community what these incredibly talented and motivated people have created.”
Among the displays: a sensor system that allows sight-impaired children to ride tricycles; a communication system based on the detection of eye movement; an automatically opening laptop to assist people in wheelchairs or who have limited hand movement; and a lateral–movement rocking horse to teach children with developmental disabilities how to balance.
UVic President Dr. David Turpin will deliver opening comments at 1 p.m. and announce a major donation to UVATT. The team relies on donations—of money or equipment—to cover most of its expenses, especially the cost of hiring co-op students to build devices, and parts. One tricycle for a sight impaired child, for example, costs about $600 in parts to build.
Ideas are welcome, too. The team is always looking for suggestions for new devices needed in the community.
For more information on the Open House go to www.uvic.ca/uvatt or call (250) 595-8381.
All these devices—and more—will be on display on Thursday, Oct. 9 when the University of Victoria Assistive Technology Team (UVATT), holds its first Open House. The event takes place from 12:30 to 7 p.m. in the Student Union Building’s Michele Pujol room.
UVATT is a group of more than 300 UVic faculty, staff and students who give their time and expertise to develop and test new devices for people with disabilities. Included on the team are UVic machinists, computer scientists, electrical and mechanical engineers, biologists, physiologists, psychologists, neuroscientists, technicians, and students.
Open House visitors will have an opportunity to meet members of the UVATT team and try out some of the technologies and devices they’ve designed.
“Since UVATT was created in 1999, we’ve had hundreds of students and other volunteers working on a wide range of projects,” says Dr. Nigel Livingston, a UVic biologist and director of the team. “This Open House is an opportunity to show the community what these incredibly talented and motivated people have created.”
Among the displays: a sensor system that allows sight-impaired children to ride tricycles; a communication system based on the detection of eye movement; an automatically opening laptop to assist people in wheelchairs or who have limited hand movement; and a lateral–movement rocking horse to teach children with developmental disabilities how to balance.
UVic President Dr. David Turpin will deliver opening comments at 1 p.m. and announce a major donation to UVATT. The team relies on donations—of money or equipment—to cover most of its expenses, especially the cost of hiring co-op students to build devices, and parts. One tricycle for a sight impaired child, for example, costs about $600 in parts to build.
Ideas are welcome, too. The team is always looking for suggestions for new devices needed in the community.
For more information on the Open House go to www.uvic.ca/uvatt or call (250) 595-8381.
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Media contacts
Dr. Nigel Livingston (Biology) at (250) 721-7121 or njl@uvic.ca
Click here for the backgrounder.