nominated MSc in Disability, Design
and Innovation. This enables students
for the rst time to explore the multidisciplinary
eld of Disability, Design
and Innovation. Taught across three
top institutions: UCL, Loughborough
University London and the London
College of Fashion, students will
experience a fast-paced learning
environment, where theory is
immediately taken into practice.
Only 10% of the world’s 1
billion disabled people have
access to the assistive technology
they need, by 2050 this gure
is set to double to 2 billion. New
technologies provide opportunities
for scalability and access, while
individuals, communities, business,
and governments are increasingly
understanding the importance of the
disability innovation space.
To power dynamic solutions, a
new generation of solution-focused
entrepreneurs is required. The GDI
Hub’s MSc in Disability, Design and
Innovation has been developed in
direct response to this pressing need,
providing the skills and knowledge
for students to excel within this
emerging eld.
Harnessing academic
excellence, innovative practice
and co-creation the course
brings together design
engineering, global policy,
product development and
inclusive design within
the societal context of
disability.
Successes are already
emerging. Under the
supervision of Dr. Youngjun
Cho, a talented student
Katherine Wang has written an
original research article: “Using
Mobile Augmented Reality to
Improve Attention in Adults with
Autism Spectrum Disorder”. This
explores the use of augmented reality
technology on mobile phones as a
cost-effective intervention to improve
attention management skills for
autism spectrum disorder. The paper
will be showcased at the ACM CHI
2020 LBW Conference on Human
Factors in Computing Systems, the
premier international conference in
this space.
Students have also been
working to support the European
PRIME-VR2 project, researching
virtual reality (VR) technologies
for people with disabilities
and sports injuries,
including a literature
on VR technology for
rehabilitation, and
technology to enable
disabled people to
control virtual reality
games.
Dr Catherine Holloway,
Academic Director of the
GDI Hub says; “The global
potential for disability innovation
is huge. New technologies provide
opportunities for scalability and
access, but to accelerate this
movement we need a new generation
of pioneers. The Disability,
Design and Innovation Masters
is the world’s rst course in this
rapidly growing area of expertise.
Students will be taught in a uniquely
multidisciplinary environment,
learning from global experts, live
research projects and high-pro le
global collaborations. We’re looking
for exceptional students with the
drive and determination to push
the boundaries of this new area of
study.” !
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