Distance learning in senior design [disability aid projects]

This paper describes a senior design distance-learning experience between University of Connecticut (UConn) and Ohio University (OU) in implementation of an NSF grant to support senior design projects to aid persons with disabilities. Devices and software to aid persons with disabilities often need custom modification, or are prohibitively expensive. Much of the disabled community does not have access to custom modification of available devices. Some individuals have needs that have not yet been met by products available on the market. In 1988, the NSF started to provide a mechanism whereby engineering students at universities throughout the United States designed and constructed devices for persons with disabilities. This program combined the academic requirement of a design experience with enhanced educational opportunities for students, and improved the quality of life for disabled individuals. Students and university faculty provided, through their normal ABET accredited senior design class, engineering time to design and build the device or software, and the NSF provided funds for supplies, equipment and fabrication costs for the design projects. Described in this report are experiences that involved students at UConn constructing products for people in the Appalachian community near OU