NYSID's project CREATE: An organizational model for service learning through assistive technology development

Abstract

Project CREATE (Cultivating Resources for Employment with Assistive Technology) is an organization established by NYSID (New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc.) in collaboration with member agencies such as Goodwill Industries of Greater New York & Northern New Jersey (GIGNY) and universities such as SUNY (State University of New York) Maritime College. Project CREATE sponsorscapstone design projects where students develop assistive technology for customers at member agencies. Launch projects included the design of a modified "tagging gun" for use by sightimpaired employees for use in attaching price tags for clothing resale. The students had a successful design experience by meeting the customer's challenging need for a 2x productivity improvement which enabled teams of sight-impaired people to now economically perform this task. The wider collaboration of Project CREATE also enables NYSID to advance its outreach mission. The structure of Project CREATE enabled all parties to succeed in a win-win-win fashion.