THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Therese Willkomm, Ph.D.

Judith Schoonover, MEd, OTR/L, ATP, FAOTA

Therese Willkomm and Judith Schoonover would like to invite you to participate in the Assistive Technology Maker Event at Closing the Gap – 2024 on Thursday, October 24 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm in the exhibit hall.

For those interested in becoming more involved in the AT maker event, this is an opportunity to showcase exciting new creations, tools, and materials for making A.T. and to learn from the AT maker community. The maker community is comprised of “makers” – users of AT, DIY enthusiasts, engineers, OT, PT, SLP, VR counselors, job coaches, and ATP Makers; teachers; STEM and robotics students, hobbyists, and “maker wannabes” – who are interested in using their skills to create and make solutions for, and in collaboration, with people with disabilities.

Makers are not always experts in AT, but they have a myriad of interests, are “tinkerer’s” and just simply like to solve problems and make things. Maker solutions range from paper-based props and items made and morphed from easily found materials to 3-D printed items, switches, and more. No solution that works to circumvent a barrier is too “low” to be considered an AT tool.

How you can participate

If  you are interested in participating in the AT Maker Event at Closing the Gap, please consider the following opportunities:

• Sharing a poster or tabletop exhibit on assistive technology devices created by you or other Makers.
• Conduct, supervise or assist in “hands-on” maker activities. These activities are designed to make an assistive technology device in minutes.  The activities enable the person to take the device that they make, home with them.
• Assist in the skill-building activities featuring tools and materials for making assistive technology.
• Doing live maker demos
• Maker problem solving on the fly – providing advice and suggestions.
• Sponsor the cost of materials for one or more making AT activities.
• Sponsor the travel cost for a Maker who would like to be part of the event but doesn’t have the funds for travel.

Note: Please No selling or promoting of commercial products will be allowed during this event. However all makers are welcome to share resources, flyers, free stuff, contact information etc. at the resources table.

Safety Considerations

With safety in mind, do not plan any hands-on activities that involve participants using razor blades, utility knives, or sharp tools that can potentially injure (Scissors are acceptable). 

Additionally, any activities that could result in potential burns to participants, such working with boiling water, should be demonstration only and not involve participants. If you would like participants to do a hands-on activity with InstaMorph, it is best that you heat up the InstaMorph yourself, knead it, then break off chunks and hand to the participants to make an AT solution. This way it eliminates the potential of someone burning their hands accidentally. Soldering is allowed as long as the participants are carefully supervised.

Demonstration Activities

As a AT Maker, you are welcome to demonstrate fabrication techniques via live demonstration, or pre-recorded videos that can be shown using an iPad or laptop. Therese will provide tabletop iPad stands upon request.

Registration, Hotel & Travel

The AT maker event is included with conference registration and/or free conference exhibit pass. All participants must have a valid registration badge and are required to register for one of the following registration options:

• standard conference registration
• 1-day conference registration
• FREE exhibit hall-only pass

Regarding hotel accommodations, to ensure attendees receive the negotiated group rate, reservations are required by Wednesday, October 9.

For complete details and links to book hotel and travel please visit our hotel and travel page.

Shipping

Unfortunately, we are unable to fund materials or shipping of materials for any proposed Make and Take activities at this time. This does not prevent you from having a “show and tell” table to model and demonstrate your Maker innovations.

If accepted, and you have materials you need shipped for your maker event, please note the following instructions below.

Packages may be shipped to Closing The Gap directly with no additional handling fees.

• Please schedule your shipment(s) arrive no later than Friday, October 11.
  Closing The Gap
  AT Maker Event
  401 N. 7th St.
  Henderson, MN 56044

Packages may be shipped direct to the hotel. Note, shipping and handling fees apply. Refer to hotel instructions.

Proposal Confirmation & Notifications

Upon successful submission of your proposal it will be sent to the review committee. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact us immediately.

Confirmation of proposal acceptance/declination, will be sent by the third week of June.