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<\/a>photo: http:\/\/www.3ders.org\/articles\/20150729-prosthetics-and-assistive-technology-challenge-helps-bring-3d-printed-assistive-devices-to-veterans.html<\/p><\/div>\n
With the advent of the 3D printer, many AT “challenges” have arisen around the globe, inviting people with disabilities, engineers, and interested members of the public to create assistive technology solutions for people with disabilities.<\/p>\n
This is exciting to see, and, as one of our staff members who was able to participate in an AT challenge recently said, \u201cI wish people with disabilities were behind the making process because we know our own needs better than anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
She is right, of course, and furthermore, because all individuals are different and might have different needs, the fact that AT should be created for an individual rather than mass produced as a whole is a worthwhile goal, that, until recently, was always deemed too expensive.<\/p>\n
Will the future generations be making their own individualized AT using 3D printers?\u00a0 This seems likely, the way things are heading.<\/p>\n
Well, this Thursday is Veteran’s Day, and what better way to celebrate our veteran heroes than by giving them the AT they need to be independent members of society!\u00a0 We have all heard on the news the concerns that Veterans aren’t always getting the assistance and services – including AT – that they need, but as more challenges like the following are happening, we hope that this will soon be a distant worry of the past.<\/p>\n