What impact do you think it has had?

The Expo has always sought to attract a diverse audience, and several hundred people have typically attended each year. Since the event is held on campus, many faculty, staff, and students attend from rehabilitation-related majors (e.g., rehabilitation psychology, occupational therapy, communicative disorders, special education, physical therapy, nursing), in addition to engineering, computer science, and technology. A number of classes have used the Expo as a class activity, including classes at UW-Madison, Edgewood College, Madison Area Technical College, UW-Whitewater, and UW-La Crosse. Many professionals come from rehabilitation agencies, health organizations, and elementary and secondary schools. We have also had elementary school classes attend as a disability-awareness activity, and we once had a high school class come that was working on projects to design accessible spaces to accommodate people with disabilities. Finally, we advertise the Expo throughout the Madison community, and we have had many people with disabilities and their family members come, looking for applications of technology that may be of benefit.

With all of these groups, the Expo has helped to keep them informed about the advances in technology that may be helpful to people with disabilities.

--------------------------------------------------- written by Dr. Berven

REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY & SPECIAL EDUC