Welcome to the University of Victoria Assistive Technology Team web site.

News (2005)

The BC Innovation Council awards the UVATT team!

Sep 15, 2005 Team photo

UVATT Director, Dr. Nigel Livingston is this year's recipient of the first Lieutenant Governor's Technology and Innovation Award from the BC Innovation Council. This award is sponsored by Her Honour, the Honourable Iona Campagnolo and was created to recognize an individual or small team who has developed a highly innovative, new technology based on applied research conducted in British Columbia. Under the inspiration of Dr. Livingston, the UVATT team has now taken on over 80 projects and is proud to be recognized by the BC Innovation Council.

Our first newsletter!

Aug 31, 2005

The first issue of UVATT's semi-annual newsletter, Inspired, is now available. Please download a copy and pass it on to your friends, family and acquaintances. If you would like a printed copy of the newsletter or would like to provide us with some feedback, please contact UVATT at 213-2442 or uvatt@uvic.ca.

Download the newsletter in printable or viewable format.

Volunteers needed

Aug 12, 2005

Do you have some spare time and would like to make a difference in other people's lives? We are currently looking for volunteers to work with the UVATT team on the following projects:

Dynamic Onscreen Keyboard: An innovative onscreen keyboard is currently being developed at UVATT for people who have difficulty operating a regular keyboard. This new onscreen keyboard uses statistics and word prediction to aid the user in faster and more accurate typing. We are now looking for a volunteer to work with two potential users of the program to help evaluate the range of options that should be included in the final program.

Radio Drum Application for Music Therapy: The UVATT team has recently teamed up with the Victoria Conservatory of Music to create a new music therapy tool, based on a technology called the Radio Drum. We are looking for a volunteer who will work with the music therapists at the Victoria Conservatory of Music to help their clients use and evaluate the new radio drum system that is currently under development. This volunteer opportunity would be suitable for a music student.

If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Michelle Cho at:

Phone: (250) 213-2442 Fax: (250) 721-6611 E-mail: mcho@uvic.ca

Position opening for an engineering technician

Jul 15, 2005

The University of Victoria Assistive Technology Team (UVATT) has an opening for an engineering technician to perform prototype development of mixed analog and digital circuits. The specific task will be to work on the development of a wireless motion and position detection system. Units will be field tested by physicians at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario working with young children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 2 years experience with PCB layout using surface mount components, well developed electronic prototyping and troubleshooting skills, a good working knowledge of digital and analog electronics, and a basic understanding of embedded real time software. Familiarity with PIC microcontrollers would be an asset. This position would be suitable for a co-op term for a 4th year Electrical Engineering student. For more information, please contact Bernie Till at btill@ece.uvic.ca

Thank you to the Satin Moon Quilt Shop

Jul 12, 2005

UVATT would like to thank the Satin Moon Quilt Shop for their generous donation. Satin Moon will be sponsoring materials for all of the UVATT projects that require custom sewing! Satin Moon is located downtown Victoria and has one of the biggest selections of fabrics in British Columbia. Thank you again for your support!

Smiles recorded in the UVIC Newspaper!

Jul 8, 2005

One of UVATT's most recent projects was featured in the UVic newspaper, The Ring, today. This project was successfully undertaken by Lana Olague, UVATT's most recent co-op student, and Eric Auer, a UVic engineering grad. The goal of this project was to help a 5yr old girl with cerebral palsy, understand how specific actions can lead to certain events. To read more about this, please see the article in The Ring, by clicking here.

UVATT Awarded for Community Involvement!

Jul 1, 2005

We are proud to announce that under the leadership of Dr. Nigel Livingston, UVATT has received recognition from the Vancouver Island technology community at the 2005 VIATeC Technology Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 28th. Dr. Nigel Livingston was awarded the Community Involvement Award for his great work and accomplishments with UVATT. The Community Involvement Award was established to recognize an organization that has demonstrated its commitment to Vancouver Island communities through philanthropic support and participation.

Support from the Victoria Central Lions Club

Jun 29, 2005

The Victoria Central Lions Club has generously donated $1000.00 towards UVATT for the development of new devices for the assistance of people with disabilities. UVATT will be updating the Lions Club members on our new endeavors in the fall! Thank you to the Victoria Central Lions Club for your generosity.

Support from the VMWA Community Services Group

Jun 29, 2005

UVATT would like to thank the Victoria Medical Wives Association (VMWA) for their generous donation. Their support is greatly appreciated and will contribute to UVATT's research on assistive devices for people with special needs. Thank you again!

VIATeC Awards Finalist

Jun 14, 2005

UVATT, in collaboration with the Garth Homer Society and the Garth Homer Foundation, is now recruiting for a full-time Coordinator for the On-Line Learning Project. This is a pilot project, with the aim of developing a system of on-line education for people with developmental disabilities. This position will develop and prepare the project model, business plan and budget, based on a review of best practices.

UVic Board of Governors tours UVATT

Jun 3, 2005

The UVic Board of Governors, one of the two primary governing bodies of the university, arrived at UVATT on the afternoon of May 26, 2005, to take a tour and obtain a quick glimpse at the many projects being developed by the UVATT staff, students and volunteers. The UVic Board of Governors includes elected faculty, staff and students, and eight members appointed by the provincial government.

BC Medical Technology Research Showcase

May 10, 2005

On May 10, 2005, UVATT presented their poster on the Brainwave Communication project at the BC Medical Technology Research Showcase. The BC MedTech Research Showcase was a powerful networking event that brought BC's post-secondary medical technology research community together with industry leaders to showcase research and explore collaboration opportunities. This event was organized by the Technology Transfer offices at UVic, UBC, SFU, BCIT as well as Westlink and the BC Medical Device Industry Association.

UVATT Director Named BC's Academic of the Year

Apr 13, 2005

Dr. Nigel Livingston, founder and director of UVATT is being awarded as the Academic of the Year by the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of B.C. (CUFA/BC). The Academic of the Year Award was established by the CUFA/BC Council in 1995 to recognize faculty members at B.C. universities who have distinguished themselves through their academic research or scholarly activity. Dr. Livingston is a plant physiologist who formed UVATT in 1999. Since then, Dr. Livingston has successfully brought together the expertise and equipment at UVic to create an excellent resource for the community in terms of adaptive technology. Congratulations to Dr. Livingston!

Congratulations EE499/CENG499 Students!

Apr 5, 2005

UVATT would like to congratulate all of the UVic Electrical and Computer Engineering 499 students for a successful display and presentation of their design projects on April 1, 2005. A special thanks to all of the groups who have worked persistently on the UVATT projects. Your contributions have been absolutely invaluable for the UVATT team and the community. Also, congratulations to the members of the Electronic Muscular Signal Communications group: Elaine Baird (CE), Farnaz Khosrow-Khavar (EE), Kyndra Moeller (EE), and Erik Weimer (EE) on receiving an award from the Victoria chapter of the Institute of Engineering and Electrical Engineers.

Student Projects are Displayed on April 1st

Mar 24, 2005

Four of UVATT's projects will be displayed at UVic's Engineering Laboratory Wing lobby from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 1st. These projects have been undertaken by four groups of fourth-year electrical engineering students at UVic and will be displayed alongside 18 other UVic electrical and computer engineering projects. The Victoria chapter of the Institute of Engineering and Electrical Engineers will be judging these 22 projects and awarding cash prizes. This is a free event for the general public, so we encourage you to attend!

Celebrating the University of Victoria's Faculty of Education

Mar 9, 2005

On Saturday, March 5th, 2005, UVATT participated as an exhibitor at the Education Alumni Chapter Event – "A Celebration of UVic's Faculty of Education". UVATT would like to congratulate all of the 2004 Distinguished Education Alumni Award recipients.

Antiques Roadshow (Victoria Style)

Feb 18, 2005

The VMWA Community Services Group will be holding an Antiques Roadshow on Friday, February 25, 2005. Terry Waller, a semi retired antiques dealer will be the appraiser for this evening. Terry and his wife, Myra, operated Waller Antiques Ltd. on Victoria's Antique Row from 1972-1995. The shop specialized in antique jewelry, china, silver, enamels, bronzes & decorative objects. Proceeds from this event will be donated to UVATT. UVATT would like to extend thanks to all the people involved in planning, organizing and attending this event.

UVATT welcomes new volunteers

Feb 12, 2005

UVATT would like to welcome all new volunteers who have recently joined the team. The time and energy that you have offered is greatly appreciated!

For anyone who is interested in volunteering with UVATT, please contact the Operations Manager Michelle Cho at mcho@uvic.ca or by phone at 213-2442.

New UVATT Project Teams

Feb 11, 2005

Over six new groups of UVic Engineering students have endeavored to take-on some of UVATT's most recent projects. This mix of both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering students will utilize their knowledge and creativity to enhance the research and development process for these UVATT projects.

UVATT team member Rob Prinz receives APEGBC Talbot Memorial Fund award.

Feb 10, 2005

This is an annual award available to a 3rd or 4th year Uvic Engineering student who demonstrates commitment and dedication to engineering as a profession. The Award is based on a combination of community activities, academic achievement and a student statement. Rob declared that much of his community activities and enriching experiences were based on his four month workterm with UVATT last year or on-going activities with contacts made during that time. Congratulations!

Seminar Announcement

Feb 1, 2005

On Feb 9, UVATT will be holding a seminar to discuss the Eye-Tracking project. Leo Spalteholz and Dave Marotto will be giving a presentation on "Eye-Tracking: The human eye as an interaction tool". This seminar will discuss some applications of Eye-Tracking as well as UVATT's research history and results in the area. The UVATT team will be present and available to answer questions you may have about the project(s) or about UVATT in general. Anyone who is interested is invited to come!

Seminar Announcement

Jan 20, 2005

In Jan 26, UVATT will be holding a seminar to discuss the one of the new onscreen keyboard interfaces. Bernie Till will be giving a presentation on "Morse Mouse: A Click-less Crossing Interface" along with a brief demonstration of the system. The UVATT team will be present and available to answer questions you may have about the project(s) or about UVATT in general. Anyone who is interested is invited to come!