Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities Design Awards for Technologies to Benefit People with Cognitive Disabilities
Focus: Encourage, recognize and reward group and individual student projects that result in technical prototypes, or a vision of future technologies, to enhance and support the cognitive function and adaptive behavior of people with cognitive disabilities.
“Cognitive disability” entails a substantial limitation in one’s capacity to think, including conceptualizing, planning and sequencing thoughts and actions, remembering, interpreting subtle social cues, and understanding numbers and symbols. The range of “cognitive disabilities” includes more than 21 million people living in the United States alone. Common conditions often associated with a cognitive disability include intellectual disability (formerly termed mental retardation), Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; significant brain injury; and severe, persistent mental illness. In some instances, cognitive disability may stem from a cardiovascular disorder such as stroke.
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate student projects in computer science, engineering, rehabilitation science, special education, psychology, occupational therapy and physical therapy and other closely related disciplines are eligible for ANY of the awards described below. Non-students may apply for the Coleman Institute Future Vision Award.
Award structure:
- Student “Silver” award — design, build and document a “proof-of-concept” prototype that addresses a problem facing people with cognitive disabilities and/or their caregivers. The problem should be addressed from a literature search and/or from interactions with local advocates, representatives of a disability group, associated family members, caregivers, or an expert in a recognized disability-related organization including self-advocacy groups, family members, caregivers, or an expert in a recognized field of cognitive disabilities (see definition above).
- Student “Gold” award — same as “Silver” award criteria plus an informal assessment (a pilot study or focus group study with a representative user or advocate) that provides (1) insights about how well the prototype addresses the stated problem and (2) suggestions for additional improvements. Note: User assessment may require local approval by an institutional Human Research Committee, especially if results will be shared or published.
- Coleman Institute Future Vision award — this award will be provided for multimedia submissions that satisfy eligibility criteria of the “Lifted by the Cloud: Visions of Cloud-Enhanced Accessibility” FCC challenge and create a future vision of how technology could enhance the life of a person with a cognitive disability. The vision should feature technologies that are not commercially available.
- Special recognition — All submissions will be judged by a panel of disability experts, advocates, and technologists for exceptional novelty, creativity, and potential impact on the disability community, for the possible award of additional recognition.
Key deliverables, awards and deadlines:
| Tier | Deliverables | Awards* | Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Student Award | Written report stating problem to be addressed, how the prototype works and potential benefits to intended user community (< 5 pages). | $100 | All entries accepted and rewarded continuously |
| Gold Student Award | Same as Silver PLUS description of assessment study highlighting:
|
$250 | All entries accepted and rewarded continuously |
| Coleman Institute Future Vision Award | A multimedia presentation that presents a future vision for how technology could significantly enhance the life of a person with a cognitive disability. The vision should feature technologies that demonstrate capabilities that are not commercially available. | Each qualifying student submission will receive $100. All “Lifted by the Cloud” FCC challenge submissions that present future technologies addressing the needs of people with cognitive disabilities will be eligible for the annual Coleman Institute Future Vision award and a $1000 cash prize. This award will be judged and awarded separately from the “Lifted by the Cloud” challenge awards. |
All student entries will be accepted and rewarded continuously. To be eligible for the annual Coleman Institute Future Vision Award, submissions must meet the “Lifted by the Cloud” criteria and focus on the needs of people with cognitive disabilities. |
| Special recognition | All award entries will be considered; no additional application is required. | Travel to Annual Coleman Institute Conference | All entries submitted prior to July 1st will be eligible for special recognition that Fall. |
*While our intention is to immediately recognize all eligible contributions, we reserve right to modify or delay awards in the event of an overwhelming response.
Frequently asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)
Q: Will all entries receive an award?
A: Yes, ALL entries that meet the minimum award criteria specified above will receive an award. Additionally, ALL entries will be eligible for possible additional recognition based on exceptional novelty, creativity, and potential impact on a disability community.
Q: Why do I need to do a literature search or interact with people from a disability group to identify a problem?
A: People with cognitive disabilities often face issues with using technology that people without disabilities may take for granted. For example, some people with cognitive disabilities may have difficulties reading, understanding computer vocabulary, or may also have a physical disability that makes understanding and selecting menu choices difficult. Unless you personally know a person with a cognitive disability, it can be difficult to anticipate the issues that a person with that disability will have, and so interacting with a disability group or doing a literature search for a documented problem is a great way to get started.
Q: Why isn’t there a deadline for Student Awards?
A: Our intent is to encourage, recognize and reward group and individual student projects that result in technical prototypes to assist people with cognitive disabilities, their caregivers, or both. Since some projects may be designed in a course project or independent study, with different timelines, we will accept entries continuously and make awards as soon as eligibility is determined.
Q: May I resubmit a project for an additional Student Award if it has been significantly improved and enhanced, or if I conduct an assessment study after receiving an award?
A: Yes, we strongly encourage improvement and additional enhancement to a previously submitted project, but you are only eligible for ONE Silver or Gold award in a 12 month period. For example, if you submit a satisfactory entry and receive a $100 Silver award, you may then continue to improve the prototype or conduct a usability assessment. If you resubmit the project for a Gold award within 12 months of receiving the Silver award, you may then receive a Gold award “upgrade” earning an additional $150 (making your total $250 for 12 month period). If you resubmit a significantly enhanced project AFTER 12 months of receiving an initial Silver award, then you are eligible for another award (Silver or Gold as appropriate).
Q: Where can I find more information?
A: If you have specific questions, please contact Dr. Clayton Lewis, Coleman Institute Scientist-In-Residence at clayton.lewis@colorado.edu for more information.
