News (2006)
Delivery of Wheelchair Transfer Board
December 8, 2006
UVATT researcher, Eric Auer delivers a wheelchair transfer board to a client who needed a transfer board to act as a bridge between his wheelchair and another seat or bed. The UVATT transfer board is intended for use by individuals who have abilities consistent with C-5 to C-7 spinal cord injuries. An individual having limited arm movement can also easily remove the board from the chair and set it aside when not in use.
Thank you Victoria Foundation
December 7, 2006
Everyone at UVATT would like to thank the Victoria Foundation for generously donating to our organization. The Victoria Foundation has provided UVATT with a grant to support the research and development of communication devices for people with severe disabilities. Since 1936, the Victoria Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life of communities in Southern Vancouver Island and beyond through the stewardship of permanent funds and grant making. Thank you Victoria Foundation for recognizing us as an important service to the community!
ICAST Symposium
December 5, 2006UVATT participated in the Intelligent Computational Assistive Technology (ICAST) symposium, hosted at York University. The purpose of the symposium is to raise awareness of the breadth and depth of research in the area in Canada.
Completion of Wheelchair Bocce Ball Ramp
November 30, 2006
The UVATT team has recently completed a wheelchair bocce ball ramp. This bocce system that has been uniquely designed for an individual client. The bocce system includes a ramp with height adjustment for the bocce ball to roll down. Also included is a mechanical trigger system, activated by the patient's head motion, which sets ball rolling. This is the second bocce ball ramp that has been delivered to a user.
UVATT Presentation in Saskatchewan
November 2, 2006UVATT Director, Dr. Nigel Livingston gave a presentation on the �Outstanding Experiential Learning Opportunities Provided by UVATT� at the University of Saskatchewan. This presentation was given during the national conference for �Exemplary Teaching: Inspiring Learner Engagement and Success�, an event sponsored by McGraw-Hill Ryerson and hosted by the University of Saskatchewan.
Engineering Open House
September 20, 2006UVATT will have a display booth at the Engineering Open House at the University of Victoria on Sept. 30th, 2006. This public event will be held in the new Engineering and Computer Science building as well as the Engineering Lab Wing. See you all there!
Funding from the Vancouver Foundation
August 31, 2006
We are delighted to report that UVATT has received a grant from the Vancouver Foundation to support our communication research and development program. This funding will be specifically directed at developing devices that will allow those with developmental and physical disabilities to have access to our online learning and community building program. We deeply appreciate the Vancouver Foundation�s support.
BC Minister Visits UVATT
July 17, 2006
On July 13, 2006, the Minister of Children and Family Development the Honourable Stan Hagen came to the University of Victoria to tour UVATT�s facilities. The Ministry of Children and Family development and the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance have provided UVATT with funds to support the development of communication and human-computer interaction technology. These include eye-tracking systems for people with visual challenges, motion and position sensors to assist people with cerebral palsy, and computer access for those who lack the dexterity to use a regular keyboard. "It is wonderful to have the Ministries supporting us in our work. This is a huge boost to our program," says Nigel Livingston, Director of UVATT.
Memorial for Adrienne Kozenko
July 4, 2006
Adrienne Kozenko will always be remembered for her wit, courage and tremendous ability to learn how to use new technologies. Adrienne's contributions as a UVATT volunteer were immeasurable and greatly appreciated. She was a key member of the teams developing the laser pointer and detection system and the dynamic onscreen keyboard. Adrienne was a huge inspiration to the UVATT team and will be missed.
We send our condolences to her family.
Ten Year Old Girl Donates Birthday Money to UVATT
June 16, 2006
Meet Marites Frazer – a ten-year-old student at St. Margaret's School who decided to ask her friends to put money towards a donation to UVATT as her birthday present.
In May 2006, Marites and her friends raised $150 for UVATT to put towards the costs of building technologies and devices to aid people with special needs. Shortly after receiving an inspiring letter and photo from Marites and her classmates, UVATT invited the whole class to tour the UVATT labs.
The nineteen excited girls marched towards the UVATT labs on June 12th, 2006 and explored the various projects being worked on in the labs, while meeting members of the team. Shortly after, the girls sent a "thank you" book to the team with drawings of the most memorable projects by each one of them.
"I learned about UVATT when I went to a robotics meeting at UVic. I was very interested in the help that you give people," Marites wrote in a letter to UVATT.
Memorial for Heather McConnell
June 9, 2006
Heather McConnell died on June 8th, 2006 and will always be remembered for her positive outlook and willingness to take on new challenges and learning new skills. As a volunteer for UVATT, Heather helped the team assess a number of different technologies and provided valuable input into our electromyography research. Heather's cheerful smiles and creative talents will be missed.
Mechanical Engineering Design Projects
May 1, 2006
During the past semester (Winter 2006), four talented groups of mechanical engineering students decided to undertake UVATT requests as their major design projects for one of their core courses – Mechanical Engineering 350 – Engineerng Design I. This course focuses on design methodology; recognizing and defining open ended engineering problems, generating creative solutions, modeling, analysis, synthesis, computing and testing.
Every year, students who take this course are offered UVATT projects as an option for their major design project. This year, students were asked to not only develop a conceptual design, but to create prototypes of the finished products. However, this challenge was triumphed by the twenty-seven students who tackled the design and prototypes of four very different UVATT projects.
Please click here to view student projects
Hiring for Summer Co-op
Mar 29, 2006UVATT is hiring for a summer co-op student to work in a collaborative program, the overall goal of which is to provide on-line support and skill development opportunities for people with special needs, and to establish a virtual (networked) community for both caregivers and those with special needs. This is a collaborative venture, overseen by UVATT in partnership with the Garth Homer Society. Other participants in this venture include the South Island Distance Education School (SIDES), Open Schools BC, and UVic Distance Education Services.
The specific work term project is to set up, with assistance from Distance Education Services, a weblog that will be used as an information gathering tool to determine and analyze the needs and expectations of potential clients and their caregivers. To see more about this co-op position, please visit the UVic Co-op Database or contact: Michelle Cho at 213-2442 or mcho@uvic.ca.
Student Development Leadership Conference
Mar 20, 2006
Do you want to sharpen your leadership skills and get more involved at UVic? The first annual University of Victoria Student Development Conference is a venue for active and emerging student leaders across campus to gather, share, and learn. Whether you are a seasoned student leader or just looking for a way to get more involved with your campus, you'll find information and opportunities at this conference. UVATT will also be present at this conference for anyone who would like to get more information about our program.
For registration and information, please go to http://stas.uvic.ca/leading/
Come play soccer!
Feb 24, 2006
Now in its seventh year, the Just for Kicks (JFK) Soccer Program continues to provide an opportunity for children with special needs to play team soccer. This year, special guests such as the UVic Vikes mascot-Thunder, and members of the UVic soccer team have joined the fun.
Every Sunday afternoon, 15-30 kids, along with volunteer "soccer buddies", turn up at the UVic McKinnon Gym to have a blast playing soccer. The soccer buddies provide one-on-one assistance to the children during games and have a great time. All special needs kids, regardless of their disability and soccer ability, are welcome.
JFK runs yearly from September to March and newcomers are welcome at anytime. If you are interested in becoming a soccer buddy or would like to bring a child out for soccer, please get in touch!
Contact information: Nigel Livingston, Coach, (250) 595-6205 or njl@uvic.ca
Disabilities Health Research Network
Feb 3, 2006Dr. Nigel Livingston, Director of UVATT, will be giving a presentation at the First Annual Conference of the Disabilities Health Research Network (DHRN). The conference is being held this February at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. The DHRN aims to increase knowledge about biological, psychosocial, and community related factors in order to minimize further impairment, improve levels of ability, and enhance community participation of persons with disability.
- Date: February 17, 2006
- Time: 8:00am - 5:30pm
- Location: British Columbia Institute of Technology, Rm 280
- Keynote Speakers: Dr. Nigel Livingston, UVATT and Dr. Stacy Elliot, VCH, GF Strong Rehab Centre, ICORD
Background information on DHRN
DHRN Link: November 2005 issue
Interested in Volunteering?
Jan 20, 2006Do you have some spare time and would like to make a difference in other people's lives? We are currently looking for volunteers to fill the following positions:
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.
Designer of Simplified Computer Access Software to Control Sophisticated Multiple Communication Programs: The task will be to design a controlling software to make it easy for an unskilled person to turn on and set up a sophisticated computer system. Also this volunteer will have the opportunity to evaluate the new software with a family member of the person with special needs. Thus the task also includes teaching this family member how to access and set up the control program. This volunteer opportunity will be highly suitable for a Computer Science student.
Software Trainer: This volunteer will work with a man, who has had a stroke, on using a software called Zoomtext Magnifier/Reader. This volunteer will provide both assistance and instruction on how to use the basic functions of the software. This volunteer will need to familiarize him/herself with the program initially.
If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Michelle Cho at: (250) 213-2442 (phone), (250) 721-6611 (fax), or mcho@uvic.ca.