Beyond Chairman’s: Teaming Up to Build Assistive Tech
Channel: Triple Helix Robotics
Date: 2020-04-10

People with disabilities are often challenged to resume the activities of their everyday lives. Assistive technology (AT) helps people resume independent participation, however commercial devices are often expensive and unsuited for individual use. Occupational Therapists (OT) increase client access to AT, but may lack skills, material and equipment needed to make individualized solutions. The presenters discuss their collaboration between a FIRST team and Virginia Commonwealth University's Occupational Therapy program and present a model for establishing similarly unique and mutually advantageous partnerships to increase the skills of health practitioners, introduce real-world application opportunities to STEM students, and address community AT needs.