LAS VEGAS – June 4, 2010 – Students from Touro University Nevada’s School of Occupational Therapy will showcase and demonstrate unique inventions they have designed and built from concept to prototype to help disabled individuals at the Assistive Technologies Fair on Wednesday, June 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Assistive Technologies Fair serves as the final project for Occupational Therapy master’s degree candidates completing an advanced course in assistive technologies and adaptive devices. At the event, students individually present a piece of adaptive equipment they have designed and constructed, along with a mini-case study detailing its purpose and use.
“The students have been both creative and practical in designing adaptive devices that can really make a difference,” said Associate Professor and Director of the School of Occupational Therapy Yvonne Randall. “Many of the devices you see on campus at our Assistive Technology Fair have the potential to benefit thousands who struggle with disabilities.
Projects exhibited this year will include school and play equipment adaptations for children with autism, cerebral palsy and amputations; modifications of kitchen and bathroom environments to allow persons living with arthritis, stroke and hip replacements to live independently in their homes; leisure adaptations including camera modification and paintbrush modifications for people with limited hand movements; saddle adjustments for individuals with one leg; and ATV handlebar modifications for individuals with limited hand grasp.
Past projects have included a lit walker for pedestrian visibility in low-light situations, aqua therapy exercise equipment to build lost muscle strength, a hand-stabilizing board to help people with tremors trim their nails, a wheelchair mounted swivel device to help access a backpack, a textured doorknob for a person with visual impairment to know which door they are at, wide-grip makeup brushes to help arthritis patients hold the brush and a timer to automatically turn off stovetop burners for those with memory impairment.
About Touro University Nevada
Touro University Nevada (TUN) is a private, non-profit institution that was established to help address critical needs in health care and education and as a resource for community service in the state of Nevada. TUN opened its doors in 2004 with 78 medical students. Today, its home to more than 1,500 students, in a wide variety of degree programs in osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, education, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy. The university’s Henderson campus includes a full-service patient health clinic and multi-disciplinary Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. For more information on TUN, please visit www.tun.touro.edu or call 702- 777-8687.
About Touro College
Touro is a system of Jewish-sponsored non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was established in 1971 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American community. Approximately 17,500 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Paris, Jerusalem, Moscow, and Florida. Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus, as well as Touro College Los Angeles, are separately accredited institutions governed in common by the same Board of Trustees as Touro College. For further information on Touro College, please visit www.touro.edu/media.
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