UVATT team member Elaine Baird demonstrates an electromyography system— which uses muscle signals to control a painting program on a computer—to B.C. cabinet minister Stan Hagen during a special visit to UVATT in July. Hagen was Minister of Children and Family Development at the time.
The University of Victoria’s Assistive Technology Team (UVATT) figures prominently in two grants totalling $265,000 awarded by the B.C. government in July to the Garth Homer Foundation.
UVATT is a group of UVic faculty, students and staff who design, build and test customized devices for people with disabilities or special needs.
A $125,000 grant will continue a partnership between UVATT and Garth Homer to develop online learning tools for young adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Launched in 2005, the project is working with individuals in Victoria and remote communities to ease their transition from a school setting into the community-at-large.
“UVATT is responsible for developing the software and hardware that will be required,” says Dr. Nigel Livingston, director of UVATT. “It is extraordinarily challenging but very exciting to be involved in such a program.”
The new funding will allow researchers to track how well the technology has helped students make the transition out of school and into the community.
“While our initial focus will be on those with developmental disabilities,” says Livingston, “our ultimate goal is to extend the program to the entire special needs community and also build an extensive support and resource network for parents and caregivers.”
An additional $140,000 goes to UVATT for the continuing development of assistive devices that contribute to the independence of children and adults with disabilities. These include eye-tracking systems for children with visual challenges, motion and position sensors for children with cerebral palsy, and computer access for children who lack the dexterity to use a regular keyboard.
To date, the UVATT team has worked on more than 120 projects and developed more than 25 new technologies. For more information on UVATT, visit www.uvatt.org or call (250) 213-2442.
The provincial funding was provided by the ministries of Employment and Income Assistance, and Children and Family Development.
The Garth Homer Society is a non-profit organization that provides on-site services to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. It offers an array of day programs, ranging from social and life skills coaching to employment training and placement.
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