Students invited to participate in virtual hackathon focused on accessible PPE

The Center for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology (CREATe) is inviting teams of undergraduate students to participate in the Virtual Hackathon @ Purdue on Accessible PPE. Students will create their submissions Oct. 24-Nov. 8, and the deadline to register is Wednesday (Oct. 21).

People with disabilities and the aging population frequently have difficulties using off-the-shelf personal protective equipment (PPE). CREATe is hosting the virtual hackathon to explore innovative designs and processes for providing accessible and usable PPE for these overlooked groups of users.

CREATe is looking for solutions and accessible PPE to problems including but not limited to these:

• Physical obstacles to donning and doffing.
• Ensuring proper fit for preventing microbial exposure.
• How to remotely customize PPE to individual users.
• How to identify and provide accessible PPE to users.
• How to encourage persons with cognitive or physiological disabilities to use PPE.

Teams will participate in the hackathon Oct. 24-Nov. 8 and will meet specific milestones for development and presentation of their submission over the two-week period. Graduate students will be available as technical advisors. Participants also will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Michael Hiles, vice president at Cook Biotech Inc.

Best entries will be judged by a panel of experts in the medical and disability fields in the following two categories: "Engineering and Technical Implementation" and "Processes and Delivery Strategies." Prizes will be awarded in the form of Amazon gift cards -- $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for honorable mention.

Teams may register for the hackathon at accessppe.devpost.com by clicking on "Join Hackathon." Students will make their account using their Purdue email.

The event is funded through the Protect Purdue Innovations Faculty Grants.

For more information, contact Brad Duerstock at bsd@purdue.edu or DavinHuston at davin@purdue.edu.