News & Tips

Photo credits: ATinNH, Adapted Design Greater Philadelphia, Makers Making Change and ATMakers.org

Mark your calendar!

Book your flight or plan to change the oil!

AT Makers for All is in the works for 2018 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, New Hampshire.

What is the AT Makers for All conference and expo?

It’s an exciting outgrowth to all the attention this blog has focused on the Assistive Technology (AT) maker movement these past few months colliding joyously with the longtime dream of Therese Willkomm, Ph.D. Its goal is to help grow the collaboration of AT makers and users and explore solutions to everyday problems that are fast, affordable, customized and satisfying!

Plans for the day include:

• A keynote and panel presentation/discussion with AT maker movement program leaders from the US and beyond;
• Workshops featuring hands-on maker activities with everyday tools and materials, and other learning opportunities (CEU credits hopefully provided).
• An exhibit hall of up to 60 vendor/program booths.
• Make-it take-it stations (for the quick creation of low-tech solutions).

Dr. Willkomm is the director of the New Hampshire AT Program (ATinNH). She is working with a range of AT maker movement thought-leaders to organize this event.

The AT Makers for All planning committee includes representatives from:

Adaptive Design Association
ATinNH
AT3 Center
ATMakers.org
fabricATe
MassMATCH
Neil Squire Society/Makers Making Change
PIAT at Temple U
ProxTalker

Who should attend?

• AT Makers: young and old, from students and hobbyists to engineers and designers;
• AT Users: individuals who experience disabilities, including children, adults, seniors and their families;
• AT Maker-users: any makers/designers/collaborators who experience disabilities;
• Programs, projects and organizations dedicated to growing the AT Maker Movement or interested in learning more.
• Makers new to making AT;
• AT Users new to making;
• Physical and Occupational Therapists, educators and others seeking solutions for individuals they know;
• Vendors of maker materials.

“There are over 20 million individuals throughout the US who use assistive technology,” notes Dr. Willkomm. “According to the World Health Organization, the number of people who need AT will continue to rise while funding will continue to fall. AT making has always been with us, but we need these solutions now more than ever. I hope you can join us. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and work together to empower people to create solutions for every-day challenges experienced by people with disabilities.”

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