Enabling Technology (ECE6100 & OT 6620) Course Description

The Enabling Technology class discusses universal and accessible design principles and how they can be applied to enhance human performance. It is a cross-disciplinary class for individuals studying human–technology partnerships with the goal of enhancing human performance. Disciplines include Engineering, both general and special Education, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Business.

The class considers human–technology partnerships from a human development perspective, spanning from infancy to old age. As such, it looks at human–technology relationships in activities throughout the human developmental stages. These activities include: play for the young child, school for the older child, work for the adult, and both recreational and daily living activities for all ages.

The course also explores recent laws that impact the design and use of technology. These laws include: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), IDEA 97 and its impact on education, Section 255 of the Telecommunication Act of 1996 and its impact on telecommunication products and services, and Section 508 of the 1998 amended Rehabilitation Act of 1978 and its impact on the accessibility of all electronic and information technology purchased by the Federal Government.