Registration and Submission

Students interested in participating in the AbilityOne® Design Challenge must register for the competition. Final reports and supporting information (author agreement, photos, videos, etc.) will be uploaded through this website. Submission instructions will be sent to participants upon registration. Reports and supporting information must be uploaded to the website by the deadline; there are no exceptions.

The deadline for High School participants is Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 5pm EST. The deadline for University students is Friday, April 20, 2012, 5pm EST. Participants must be registered online prior to the deadline to qualify. Please direct any questions or problems to the attention of Stephanie Hurd at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 571-226-4527. Students are strongly encouraged to register early and to advise NISH of their device concept so that they can receive feedback and design suggestions from NISH rehabilitation engineers in the development of their device.

MUST BE Completed:

·         Online Training Modules 

·         Internet Scavenger Hunt (High School)

·         Discussion Paper  

·         Video  

·         Author Agreement

Inclusion of NISH Nonprofits Community Rehabilitation Program (CRPs)

NISH encourages all participating students to work with NISH affiliated CRPs in the development and design of their assistive technology device or system. This will ensure that the device is relevant and responsive to the workforce needs of NISH’s affiliated CRPs who employ people with disabilities through the AbilityOne® Program and in other job opportunities. More than 500 CRPs provide jobs for individuals with significant disabilities through the AbilityOne® Program and a total of 1,262 CRPs are affiliated with NISH nationwide.

Students may visit and work directly with a NISH affiliate if there is one geographically close to their location. If a NISH CRP is not in the area, or if those who have been contacted are unable to provide assistance, students may consult with an CRP through a series of phone and/or email discussions. Students must document their interaction with the CRP in this application. Additionally, NISH has an ongoing relationship with the Department of Veterans Affairs and can assist students to connect with veterans with disabilities if interested. For information on an CRP in your vicinity please contact NISH directly ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or visit our website (nish.org) and search via the CRP Locator.

Topic Areas

The AbilityOne® Design Challenge accepts reports on

assistive technology devices/systems that address employment

barriers for people with significant disabilities in these areas:

1. Technology for Special Populations, cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, low vision/blindness, hearing impairments, dysphasia, elderly interventions, service delivery programs

2. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, communication boards, computer-based communication devices

3. Computer Access and Use, innovation in software and hardware, training strategies, integration of computer technologies, alternative access

4. Environmental Accommodation, Environmental Control Unit systems, work-site modifications, ergonomics, farming and other rural interventions, universal design of products, places and systems

5. Functional Control and Assistance, rehabilitation robotics, functional electrical stimulation, prosthetics and orthotics

6. Service Delivery, technology transfer, telerehabilitation

7. Seating and Mobility, seating and wheelchair interventions, seat pressure measurement, transportation issues

Winners

HIGH SCHOOL: The top five teams win a trip to Washington, DC in the Winter/Spring 2012 where they will give a fifteen minute presentation before a panel of judges and live audience.

For each winning finalist team, five presenting members and one coach will receive travel expenses to attend the event. The top five awards will be presented at the event.

UNIVERSITY: One representative for each award winning device will be invited to attend a NISH-sponsored conference during the Spring/Summer 2011. Travel expenses will be covered for one representative to attend the event.

NOTIFICATION:

Winners will be notified by email and/or phone if they have been selected as one of the top award winners. If selected, additional information will be required for all team members to process award payments.

Additional information will be sent to the winners upon notification.