Gleason Institute unveils Adaptive Technology Center

Friday, October 1, 2021

Monday, Oct. 4 marked a milestone day for WSU Spokane’s Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience. That’s when the institute’s Adaptive Technology Center (ATC) opened its doors to patients of neurodegenerative disorders and their families and caregivers. The ATC is a space for adaptive technology displays that will help make patients’ lives easier and represents one of the three focal areas of the Institute.

The ATC—located at 325 E. Sprague Ave.—was made possible thanks to our ongoing partnership with Avista, the Health Sciences and Services Authority (HSSA) of Spokane County, the City of Spokane and Spokane’s University District.

The space features products controlled through voice and/or eye gaze technologies. There are also wheelchair and gaming simulation stations, a voice banking room, an accessible kitchen featuring touch and eye gaze technology, and more. Entrepreneurs, established businesses, and even WSU students have products featured in the ATC.

The space is open by appointment only right now, and neurodegenerative disease patients and their families and caretakers can email gleason.institute@wsu.edu to schedule an appointment.

The work to get to this point was immense, and a round of applause needs to be directed toward Theresa Whitlock-Wild, the Center’s project manager, Andrea Lazarus, and other Gleason Institute leaders. Whitlock-Wild knows firsthand what patients and their families need: her husband, Matt, was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. Whitlock-Wild has a passion for helping ALS patients and their caregivers.

Join us in fulfilling the vision of the Institute and the positive impact of the ATC by expanding its services. Make a gift today to support WSU Spokane’s Steve Gleason Institute.

 

 

(as reported in the Journal of Business by  Virginia Thomas)

Washington State University's Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience will open its adaptive technology center to the public , by appointment, Monday, Oct. 4.

Representatives of WSU, Providence Health & Services, and the Gleason Institute revealed the adaptive technology center, at 325 E. Sprague, to members of the media on Sept. 29.

Daryll DeWald, WSU Health Sciences vice president and chancellor, says the technology center will allow those who have neurodegenerative diseases and their families to learn about and explore technologies available to them.

Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable, typically progressively debilitating diseases that affect nerve cells, resulting in loss of motor function and coordination. 

The center features home-automation devices controlled either by voice or by eye gaze technology in a homelike setting. Visitors to the center can try out a wheelchair simulator controlled by eye gaze, test an accessible video gaming setup, and record their voice in a voice bank for future use. 

Those wishing to schedule an appointment at the adaptive technology center can call 509-368-6591 or email gleason.institute@wsu.edu.