First position AAC Device Development Challenge

Center for Assistive Technology and Innovation (CATI) – National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH) in association with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (APJAKTU) had announced a challenge in May 2021 for developing an entry level AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device. With an AAC device, a person with a communication disorder / other disability can convey messages and get people’s attention using sound. The opportunity was open to all students studying in engineering colleges affiliated to KTU.

A team led from Vidya Academy of Science and Technology participated and secured FIRST position in the challenge. There were three rounds of selection process and two user trials – one by college and one by NISH.

The awards for the finalists were distributed in an MoU signing ceremony between NISH and KTU for an innovative entrepreneurial development training project for the differently-abled youth in the state named as “Innovation by Youth with Disabilities (I-YwD)” project.

The prototype will be converted to a commercial product with funding and mentoring from NISH in the near future. The procedure will begin in August 2022.

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https://news.vidyaacademy.ac.in/2022/07/28/vidya-bagged-first-position-in-entry-level-aac-device-development-challenge/