Removing Barriers Through Innovative Assistive Technology Solutions

At the chapter's January meeting, Meaghan Walls, president and CEO, Assistology, LLC, Omaha, Nebraska, discussed her company. Walls talked about her path to Assistology. Through her initial work, she noticed barriers to accessibility for the handicapped, which hindered their ability to live successfully. This inspired her future work. Walls clarified that rehab engineering involves using engineering principles to solve human access problems through assistive technology and universal design solutions. In turn, her company provides assistive technology, rehab engineering and universal design consultation services to help individuals reach their goals and help businesses increase their ability to create inclusive spaces, services, products and practices. Walls talked about the primary ways industry is impacted by failing to accommodate the handicapped, and she elaborated on some of her academic-industry partnerships in which one of the items she designed allowed a young woman with one arm to shoot a crossbow. Walls also commented on potential career paths. In concluding, she emphasized how important it is to interest the next generation in rehab engineering.

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