Assistive technology: making it accessible to science and engineering students

This paper describes the development of a new course module proposed for joint delivery to both the engineering and science faculties at the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde (UK) in the academic year 2001-2. The new course is designed to promote an awareness of the available assistive technologies for people with sensory and physical impairments. The course will also show how different branches of electrical, electronic and information engineering are used to meet end-user requirements to produce the various assistive technology devices available. The rationale behind the innovative syllabus is described. This course is believed to be the first in Scotland and one of very few in the UK or the European Union on the full range of electrical assistive technologies.