Many thanks to owner Avi Assor, for the generous discount he provided to the EDGE Lab for materials that will be used in our Adaptive Design lab. If you are in the Queen West area looking for fabric or notions, check out Fabric by Designers.

Jason and I had a great meeting with Brianna Smrke and Alisha Sunderji, two Arts and Science students from McMaster University, who visited the EDGE Lab to find out how they can make adaptive design happen in Hamilton. We’re all hoping that we can start a collaboration between our two cites.

GimpGirl director and EDGE Lab collaborator Jen Cole on “Original Cyborgs: Disability and Technology”:

When we think of deep integration with technology, disability is rarely thought of unless it is a direct focus. There are technologies being developed such aswheelchairs that are controlled by thought, robotic exoskeletons being developed primarily for people with spinal cord injuries to allow them to walk, andstair climbing wheelchairs. They are still clunky and imprecise (or ridiculously expensive and not covered by insurance), but perhaps indicative of future adaptive technology. The “cyborg chic” technologies such as “Skinput” style keyboards andwearable computer technology often are not accessible or designed with an eye to Universal Design concepts.

Students at the EDGE Lab recently showcased their work at the Faculty of Community Services Student Achievement Event. Interns Vivian Chan and Safiyah Nakhuda, featured the work they created during their field placement. Lab tech Rubina Quadri, presented a privacy divider built for a class research project about children’s privacy-seeking behaviour in group settings. Former intern Reilly Dow, created a poster summarizing what she learned at the Adaptive Design Association in New York when she was able to visit as part of her placement at the EDGE Lab.

These cardboard blocks made by Vivian Chan, are constructed to be a low cost alternative to expensive wooden block math sets.

Hard at work.
This assistive device, built by Safiyah Nakhuda, is used to help someone get out of a chair on their own.

Many interns and volunteers make a geta chair (a.k.a. rocker ) as a first project at the EDGE Lab. Volunteer Yuka, created customized shelving for them and a carrier so that they can be easily transported.

The carrier is painted by the EDGE Lab’s Artist in Residence, Sae Kimura.

Our first big shipment of tri-wall cardboard for the Adaptive Design Studio at the EDGE Lab, with ECS Interns Vivian and Safiyah who helped with the unloading.

Rubina Quadri, a 4th year part-time student in the Early Childhood Studies program, was one of the recipients of the Ryerson General Scholarship, an award for academic achievement and contribution to the School of Early Childhood Studies. (This is embarrassing but Jason made me do it.)

The processes we use in Adaptive Design are constantly under revision. We do things the way we do them until something new gets added to the mix. It might happen purposely, such as by trying to make the electronics we use more wearable and less expensive. It can also happen as we work on projects and make discoveries.

The tips and tricks we’ll be posting here will be a close-up look at what we do and how we do it.

One of the current modifications we are working on for the tummy glider is to create modular sponge rolls for support. Velcro will be applied to the top of the glider and inner surfaces of the side pieces so that the sponge can be held securely.

Insert is placed where needed to provide extra support.

If you are thinking about attending Ryerson or are just curious about what programs are offered, check out the 2013 handbook.

Here’s a link to the Faculty of Community Services programs and the Early Childhood Studies page featuring EDGE Lab Director, Jason Nolan.