Good News Friday!

Wiffle bats and disco balls.

Those were just a couple of materials that ended up being important aspects of projects created by a group of University of Colorado Engineering students in classes taught by Associate Professor Melinda Piket-May. The projects were designed to create simple adaptive technologies for individuals we serve at Imagine!.

This is the fourth year Professor Piket-May’s students have created such projects. Below are some photos of a few of this semester’s projects.

You may notice a theme in the projects – they each provide opportunities for the recipients to control their own environment in a fun way. That may seem simple, but for an individual who has never had the capability to verbally or physically indicate his or her preferences to others, the basic act of participating in (and directing) an activity without assistance from a care provider is a profound first step toward a more fulfilling life.

This “switch-activated Wiffle bat swinger” is just what it sounds (and looks) like – giving Toby, who lives in Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome, the chance to control his very own Wiffle bat. This will come in handy for the softball season. Batter up, Toby!

In this picture, Shelly, who also lives in Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome, poses with her very own “Switch Activated Party Ball.” The disco ball is connected to a simple switch that Shelly can control, turning the ball on and off. Disco party at the SmartHome soon, Shelly?

In this picture, Dasha is showing off her new touch pad light controller, which she can use not only to turn the light on and off, but also to change light colors and brightness levels.

Thank you, once again, Professor Piket-May, for your ongoing support of Imagine! and the people we serve.

To learn more, and to see some previous student projects, click here.