We have an exciting event coming up – The Access Makeathon.

The LipSync (pictured here with Neil Squire Society client Lorraine) is just one of many potential open source assistive technologies that could be produced by makers for people with disabilities.

In partnership with Rick Hansen Foundation (new window), SFU’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology (new window), TechSoup NetSquared (new window), Tom Global (new window), UBC Women in Engineering (new window), and UBC Young Women in Engineering and Science (new window), we are organizing a 48 hour event called the Access Makeathon from January 27th to 29th, 2017.

Over 48 hours, a person with a disability will connect with a team of makers who will build open source assistive technology that will directly address a need the person has. It is an opportunity for makers to apply their knowledge and skills to address a real world need of a person. The goal is each team will help a person leave the event with a working prototype that improves their quality of life.

During the event, teams of makers will work with a person with a disability that will come with a predefined goal, and perhaps have an idea on how a solution may work. The person with a disability is an expert in their needs, and is the centre of the team to ensure the created solution meets their needs. Teams will be formed by the organizers before the event and have an opportunity to meet with the person they are assisting to start the creative process.

Kelly, one of the high school students who joined us last week to build a LipSync, doing some soldering. A big demographic of the makers we want to draw from are students.

The LipSync is just a part of what we want to accomplish. Our goal is not just to make one piece of assistive technology, but to help create a culture where people with disabilities can have easy access to assistive technologies that suit their individual need, and a maker community engaged to providing those solutions.

The Access Makeathon is a good trial run to bring together students, hobbyists, and skilled people together to apply their skills towards increasing accessibility.

Tickets are now available on Eventbrite. (new window) We look forward to seeing you at the end of January!