Reviews
Feedback by Syed M Sultan, EIT.
TETRA - Assistive Technology Seminar was held in the Malvern Library - Community Room, 30 Sewells Road, Scarborough ON, on 20th August 2009 between 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This was my first attending to an event organised by PEO Scarborough Chapter. The seminar was very interesting and well presented by Mr. Shahed Al-Haque (student campus representative, Tetra Society) and Mr. David Crane (Volunteer, Tetra Society).
At first, Mr. Murad Hussain, P.Eng. - Executive, PEO Scarborough Chapter, briefly but picturesquely described the activities of the Scarborough Chapter and introduced the presenters before the audience.
The presenters were well conversant and clearly described the role of the Tetra Society. They were clearly motivated of their works and raised interest about the works of the Tetra Society among the participating engineers. The presentations were informative, which urged the participating engineers to join the voluntary works of the Tetra Society. The presentations revealed the fact that how the disabled people in the society are getting benefit from the Tetra Society initiatives. The society works with the clients as a case by case basis because the nature of disability of every client is unique. Every client’s need is different from the others, requiring every case to be dealt with due diligence.
After the presentation, the question session was very enthusiastic and lively. Participant engineers asked many important questions, among which a question of responsibilities and liabilities of a P.Eng, if involved in design, development of devices for Tetra was raised by a member of audience.
There was light but delicious refreshments for the participants, which made the seminar more enjoyable and lively and the organizer must deserve thanks from the participants for that.
Overall, the seminar was very fruitful in understanding the participating engineers to do a lot more things to the benefit of the disabled people. The engineers can use their skills and technical competence to improve the life of those helpless people in the society.
Event Information
| When | 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Where | Malvern Library - Community Room, 30, Sewells Road (Nielson/Sewells Road) Scarborough ON, M1B 3G5 Bus Route # 133 |
| Map |  |
| Registration | Tom Fernandes, P.Eng. email: tetra@peoscarborough.ca First come first served. Priority will be given to Scarborough Chapter members, then other PEO members, guests and friends. |
| Cost | Sponsored by Scarborough Chapter |
| Light refreshments and snacks will be served. |
TETRA needs experienced Engineers
Sam Sullivan had a skiing accident at a young age of 19, leaving him with “quadriplegia” – also known as “tetraplegia”, a condition in which a human looses the ability to use all 4 limbs. Sam’s visions founded the Tetra Society of North America in 1987, with a view of engaging skilled volunteers to design and construct assistive devices custom made for the individual’s need to enhance the lives of people with mobility and dexterity impairments..
Tetra has expanded in the US and Canada to include chapters in more than 40 communities.
The speakers will give an insight into Tetra’s activities and explain how our chapter engineers can actively assist Tetra to enhance the lives of people with mobility and dexterity impairments.
The Speakers:
Susan Coates is the Metro Toronto and York Region Tetra Coordinator. She oversees and manages all of Tetra projects and activities.
David Crane is an experienced Tetra volunteer. David recently won the Gizmo of the Year Award from the Tetra Society for his modified pool cue design.
Shahed Al-Haque is the Student Campus Representative of the Tetra Society for the 2009/2010 academic year. He is in charge of administering the Tetra UT student group and will be starting his third year of biomedical engineering in the fall at the University of Toronto.
Tetra Society - Assistive Technology
By:Madu Suthanan, P. Eng. - Vice-Chair, PEO Scarborough Chapter.
On an invitation from the Tetra Society North America - York Region (ON) Chapter, to the PEO Scarborough Chapter, I attended the Tetra Society Assistive Technology Forum on Thursday, June 18, from 9am to 1:30pm at the CNIB Centre at 1929 Bayview Avenue.
I was very impressed by the way the event was organized. The event brought together persons with disabilities, researchers, students, educators, and representatives from community organizations, and healthcare professionals to discuss issues, gaps, and challenges with assistive technology for people with disabilities and how we can collaborate to make a difference. At every table, they had seated few of the disabled who were enabled by the Tetra Technology assistance to overcome their disability. These small-group discussions got us to know each other very well.
The Honourable David C. Onley, Ontario's first Lieutenant-Governor with a physical disability, was the keynote speaker. Rick Ball, an Ontarian who just set the world record for single-leg amputees at the 2009 Boston Marathon, made a very inspiring presentation with slides and video clips. I felt very proud to be a Canadian where equal opportunities are given to everybody to rise to the highest positions irrespective of any disability.
I marvelled at how simple low-cost equipment had made a huge difference to them. These simple solutions require very high level of knowledge and skills. These were examples of how an engineer can contribute his knowledge and skills to make a world of a difference to those who were less fortunate than us. I immediately signed in to be a Technical Volunteer. Tetra meets monthly where various disability problems and possible solutions are discussed and then financed, designed and implemented.
Let us, engineers contribute to help them to overcome their disabilities and enable them achieve their full potential. Please attend the Tetra session to know more about the great work they are doing, and how we too can make positive contributions.
