Institute for Economic Empowerment

The 2009 Winners of the National Scholar Award for Workplace Innovation and Design have been announced.  NISH established the National Scholar Award to encourage university students to design creative technological solutions to barriers that prevent people with severe disabilities from entering or advancing in the workplace. 

 1. First Place:  Pop Nozzle Assembly Jig

2.  Second Place:  Knee Stabilization Joint

The Knee Stabilization Joint (KSJ) allows for more flexibility and a more natural range of motion than a traditional leg brace, thus enabling a more natural gait.

3.  Tie for Third Place: (1)  Utensil Bag Opening and Loading Assist

This device helps open a thin plastic bag, and hold the bag open so workers can insert the contents using one hand. Work went an average of 30 seconds faster, increasing the productivity of each person by 15%.

3.  Tie for Third Place: (2)  Contact Block Assembly Kit

The Kit includes a crimping tool, wedge tool, housing and stand.  The kit enables people with limited manual dexterity to quickly complete the contact block assembly, a component of a switch package for large pipeline valves.

There were also six submissions that received Honorable Mention. See the 2009 National Scholar Award Winners article to read more.

On April 14, 2009, the Institute for Economic Empowerment awarded a contract to Net New Growth, LLC, for research and analysis of the potential job market in the Health Information Technology (IT) industry. 

The Health IT industry is a growth market that will require a highly diverse workforce over the next decade, including people with severe disabilities. The research will explore potential quality work opportunities for people with severe disabilities from the $19 billion for health IT in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Economic Stimulus Package).

Net New Growth will use its 20+ years of Health IT expertise, relationships, and past performance in the federal and commercial Health IT industry to quickly and effectively assess the market for near term and long term opportunities.  The results of the analysis will be presented at one of the Institute's sessions on May 13, at the NISH National Training and Achievement Conference.

In addition, the Institute plans a one-day symposium on June 3, 2009, to further explore how to leverage these opportunities within the AbilityOne program.

Out of a field of 250 JETS/AbilityOne National Engineerinig Design Challenge (NEDC) team projects submitted, 28 semifinalists were selected. A virtual competition resulted in 5 finalists,  which presented their devices to the judges on February 26, 2009 in Arlington, Virginia.  The 2009 JETS Awards were presented to the following high school teams:

Best Overall Design was won by Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School, Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the Handy Typer. The Handy Typer is a low cost assistive device that enables typing without the use of a hand.

Outstanding Assistive Technology Designwas won by Commack High School, Commack, New York, for the  New Office Workspace (NOW). The NOW is an accessible workspace for individuals who use wheelchairs and have limited range of motion.

Outstanding Engineering Design was won by Bishop Kelly High School, Boise, Idaho, for the Syringe Holding and Guidance System (SHAGS). The SHAGS provides stability for people with tremor, allowing them to safely draw medicine out of a vial.

Wethersfield High school, in Wethersifield, Connectitut, designed The Easy Access Transport System (EATS), winning a finalist award. The EATS provides access to a backpack on the back of a manual or powered wheelchair.

St. Ursula Academy, in Toledo, Ohio won a finalist award for the Lift-A-Tray.  The Lift-A-Tray is a vertical filing system for people with a limited range of motion.

At the June, 2008 focus groups, interest was expressed in forming a special interest group for community rehabilitation program (CRP) participants interested in assistive technology, rehabilitation engineering, and innovative solutions that promote successful employment and increased productivity for people with severe disabilities.

The SIG will communicate via e-mail, the Institute's website, teleconference, and possibly in-person meetings. The SIG will discuss the needs CRPs have for assistive technology and job engineering solutions; review and suggest content for the Institute's Solutions Clearinghouse, and more.

Once you have registered on the Institute's website and your account has been activated, you can indicate your interest in the SIG on your profile and sign up for the Solutions SIG e-mail discussion list.