Access Makeathon: Vancouver 2017
Event Information
Description
The Access Makeathon is a 48 hour event that connects a person with a disability to a team of makers. Makers will build an open source assistive technology that directly addresses a need of the person they are paired with. 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.
Makers will be the ones turning an idea into a reality. The maker culture in general supports open-source hardware. Typical interests enjoyed by the maker culture include engineering-oriented pursuits such as electronics, robotics, 3-D printing, and the use of CNC tools. For this event, we are looking for people interested in design, electronics and engineering come and make solutions for people with disabilities.
The Access Makeathon will have:
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opportunities to network with other attendees and industry sponsors;
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attend workshops to build your skills;
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speakers focused on innovation and accessibility;
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tools to create and fabricate solutions;
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mentors to support your project development;
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free food!
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the opportunity to create positive change in someone’s life.
Workshops will include:
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Introduction to 3D Printing
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Introduction to soldering
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Introduction to Programming on microcomputers
There will be prizes for winning teams, as well as have the opportunity to present their work at the #BCTECH summit at the Vancouver Convention Centre March 14 and 15th.
For a full schedule, list of projects and teams, and more event details, please visit our new site, Makers Making Change.
Organizer MakersMakingChange
Organizer of Access Makeathon: Vancouver 2017
This event is organized by a group of partners:
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Neil Squire Society - we use technology, knowledge and passion to empower Canadians with disabilities.
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Rick Hansen Foundation - to create a world without barriers for people with disabilities.
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SFU’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology - an interdisciplinary research focused school where technologists, artists, designers and theorists collaborate in innovative research and immersive study.
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Vancouver Hack Space - The community garage for a community without garages. Vancouver Hack Space (VHS) provides a physical space where people can gather to share ideas, equipment, opinions, and beer. Members work on personal projects, collaborate with others, and learn new skills. More than just a studio space, we focus on sharing all sorts of knowledge within a friendly and collaborative atmosphere.
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TechSoup NetSquared - NetSquared brings together nonprofits and activists, tech leaders and funders, and everyone who's interested in using technology for social change.
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Tom Global - A global community of makers helping people with disabilities
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UBC Women in Engineering - Encouraging women to participate fully and equitably in the engineering profession.
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UBC Young Women in Engineering and Science - We provide female high school students with mentorship and tutoring services from students at UBC
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Centre for Digital Media - One of our two host venues for the Access Makeathon, their students of the Master of Digital Media program will be onsite to help us execute the event, supporting event teams and event logistics.
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Google.org - The Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities aims to make the world more accessible for the 1 billion people living with disabilities. Through their support, the Neil Squire Society is developing a mouth-operated controller that will allow individuals with limited use of their arms to interact with a mobile device.
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Vancouver Foundation - Vancouver Foundation is Canada’s largest community foundation, working throughout British Columbia to harness the gifts of ideas, money, time and energy to build a lasting legacy: healthy, vibrant, livable communities. They are supporting Neil Squire Society in launching Makers Making Change in British Columbia.
