Adaptive Switch Archives - Neuromechanics & Mobility Lab

Riley Bernas presents at the CNT 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

Katie Landwehr News, Presentation September 13, 2024September 16, 2024Accessibility, Adaptive Switch, assistive technology, DIY Assistive Technology, Early Intervention

This summer, the Steele Lab hosted undergraduate researcher, Riley Bernas, from the University of Connecticut. Riley was mentored by Mia Hoffman, Heather Feldner, and Kat Steele.

She finished up her 10-week summer Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) by presenting at the 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium with the Center for Neurotechnology (CNT).

Riley gave a podium and poster presentation titled “Quantifying low-cost switch access play-kit usage in clinical settings: A first glance.“

Way to go, Riley!

Switch Kit Workshop at Boyer Clinic

Katie Landwehr News, Outreach August 7, 2024August 16, 2024Accessibility, Adaptive Switch, assistive technology, DIY Assistive Technology, Early Intervention, Pediatric

Steele Lab members, Mia Hoffman, Riley Bernas, and Katie Landwehr led a “Switch Kit” Workshop at Boyer Clinic in Seattle, WA.

The workshop aimed to teach Pediatric Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Educators how to use a new system we have designed with local families and clinicians for inclusive play options in early intervention. The Boyer Team also got to try a variety of adaptive switches Mia, Kate, and Alisha made.

Stay tuned for more on this project!

Switch Kit Workshop at Kindering Redmond

Katie Landwehr News, Outreach May 21, 2024May 21, 2024Adaptive Switch, assistive technology, DIY Assistive Technology, Early Intervention, Pediatric

Steele Lab members, Mia Hoffman, and Katie Landwehr led a “Switch Kit” Workshop at Kindering in Redmond, WA.

The workshop aimed to teach Pediatric Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Educators how to use a new system we have designed with local families and clinicians for inclusive play options in early intervention. The Kindering Team also got to try a variety of adaptive switches Mia, Kate, and Alisha made. Stay tuned for more on this project.

A woman standing next to a table with toys and a projector screen. The slide says "Co-designing a Switch Kit for Digital Play"

People of different backgrounds gathered around a table, interacting with toys and an iPad.

National Biomechanics Day 2024

Katie Landwehr News, Outreach April 12, 2024Adaptive Switch, assistive technology, Biomechanics, DIY Assistive Technology, Electromyography

Last week the Steele Lab celebrated National Biomechanics Day (NBD) on April 3, 2024 at the VA Puget Sound. Mia Hoffman, Sasha Portnova, and Katie Landwehr, alongside fellow Biomechanics researchers with the Ingraham Lab, and Center for Limb Loss and MoBility (CLiMB) hosted over 75 students from a local high school.

A group of five people posing for a photo

NBD is a world-wide celebration of Biomechanics in its many forms for high school students and teachers. Steele Lab PhD student Mia Hoffman, and Ingraham Lab PhD student Annika Pfister were recently awarded a $1000 grant from the American Society of Biomechanics and National Biomechanics Day to host an outreach event for high school students focused on disability biomechanics.

Mia and Katie hosted a station on “Switch-Adapted Toys & Accessible Design”

Two women (Mia and Katie) standing in front of a wall with pictures and holding adaptive toys and DIY switches.

A group of people standing around a table of DIY switches and switch adapted toys

Sasha, Annika, and Zijie hosted a station on “Myodino: Activate your Muscles”

A group of people holding a sign that says "MyoDino Scoreboard"

A group of people standing around a table with computers. One person is wearing an EMG sensor on their forearm

Switch Kit Workshop at Kindering

Katie Landwehr News, Outreach August 9, 2023August 14, 2023Adaptive Switch, assistive technology, DIY Assistive Technology, Early Intervention, Pediatric

Lab members, Mia Hoffman, Kat Steele, Heather Feldner and Katie Landwehr led a “Switch Kit” Workshop at Kindering in Bothell, WA.

The workshop aimed to teach Speech-Language Pathologists how to use a new system we have designed with the MakeyMakey for inclusive play options in early intervention. The team also got to try their hands at making their own adaptive switches out of pool noodles! Stay tuned for more on this project.