2019 Student App Challenge Winners Announced!
/The LiveWell RERC sponsored an app development competition for middle, high school, and college students, as well as non-professional developers interested in building applications to be used within the assistive and accessibility spaces. Students were required to consult with clinical specialists and complete a quiz on basic mobile application accessibility to gain a better understanding of the clinical populations and mobile accessibility challenges.
Winners were selected from a panel of LiveWell RERC collaborators with various backgrounds including, clinical research, assistive technology, speech pathology, and research and development. Competition was facilitated by Leighanne Jarvis, BS at Duke University.
If you are interested in contacting one of the student teams, please email the LiveWell Development Team at livewellrerc.developer@gmail.comfor more information.
Six teams were selected as overall winners of the app challenge. Winners represented both high school and college applicants, with 3 high school teams and 3 college teams receiving the overall top prize. One honorable mention was also selected for this year’s competition.
Winners (in no particular order):
My Phone
Developer:
Emily Casile, Occupational Therapy Department Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Clinical Support:
Richard Simpson, PhD, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Platform:
Android
Description:
My Phone, an Android application is designed to help older adults, individuals with cognitive conditions, intellectual disabilities, or developmental delays socialize via customizable communication methods. My Phone generates a simple interface for sending text messages and placing phone calls. Users can include up to nine predefined contacts with personalized photos and the individual’s name to help the user identify who they want to contact. Users can easily call, see last text messages, and send custom or pre-defined text messages. The app also enables an emergency contact to be immediately dialed when selected.
SmartShop
Developers:
Max Viduszynski, New York University, New York City, New York
Katherine Conners, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Shozab Malik
Marcos Lebron
Ben Rayden, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Clinical Support:
Allan B. Goldstein, MA, Senior Lecturer, NYU
Platform:
iOS
Description:
SmartShop is an iOS application that focuses on the nutritional and money management needs of underserved disabled and older adult communities. SmartShop takes the hard work out of searching for a healthy grocery list that is affordable and individualized. Along with helping to create a customizable shopping experience via user entered health data, the app includes filters for several special allergies, diets, and food preference. From this information, SmartShop generates a customizable grocery list that can be delivered, ordered for pickup, or exported as a grocery list.
Power Up Panda
Developer:
Sarah Moninger
Clinical Support:
Kevin Caves, ME, ATP, RE
Platform:
iOS, Android
Description:
Power Up Panda is an iOS and Android application designed to provide users with a fun and interactive way to track active vs. sedentary body movement. Power Up Panda uses ideas proposed by growing research that gamification of health apps motivates users to utilize their smartphone fitness apps. A panda avatar acts as a virtual health coach, sending notifications/reminders to be active, keeps score based on activity, and allows the user to set goals.
Nostalgia
Developers:
Annika Huprikar
Kyla Guru
Melanie Silver
Clinical Support:
Mimi Kiley, director and program services coordinator at Arden Courts and Manor Care Centers
Platform:
iOS
Description:
Nostalgia is an iOS application intended to be used by older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia, or any other memory impairment. Nostalgia aims to help those with memory loss by reminding them of family and friends through facial recognition technology, along with daily memory reminders. It is designed to have a simple user interface and accessibility features to meet the goals of their users. Users can add photos and videos in real time that is then saved to their digital “memory lane” in chronological order.
Additional Information:
Learn more about Nostalgia at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7M29NVmW7k.
AI4VI
Developer:
Team D2NK:
Nitin Seshadri, Somers High School, Somers, NY
Deeya Patel, Hackley School, Tarrytown, NY
Divek Patel, Hackley School, Tarrytown, NY
Karan Keerthy, Briarcliff Middle School, Briarcliff Manor, NY
Clinical Support:
Rajesh Seshadri, MS, MBA, Senior Director of Development, Oracle Corp., Team Mentor & Advisor
Dr. Nelson Eng, DO, Chief Medical Officer, Union Community Health Center, Bronx, NY, Clinical Support
Dr. Bhawesh Patel, MD, Internist, Bronx, NY, Clinical Support
Platform:
iOS & Android
Description:
AI4VI is a patent-pending wearable sensor designed to aid visually impaired people by providing them both audible and haptic warning about impending obstacles. The mobile companion application to the AI4VI device allows for additional haptic alerts. This device has been demonstrated to visually impaired students at the NY Institute of Special Education. Feedback was applied to make the application more accessible and easier to use.
GrabGoGood
Developer:
Ellie DeLucia, Hamburg High School
Clinical Support:
Jennelle Carpenter
Platform:
iOS, Android
Description:
GrabGoGood is a shopping application designed to help blind and low vision individuals more easily navigate grocery stores. It is designed to be used independent of other individuals or can be used as a training tool for mobility specialists. The app helps identify the location of an item in the grocery store to make shopping faster, easier, and more convenient. Accessibility was a high consideration when developing the app, specifically programming it in a way that makes it compatible with Voice Over, ensuring high color contrast, large font and buttons, and information organized in a convenient manner. This app can also be used to help older adults and other people with disabilities more quickly navigate the grocery store.
Additional Information:
Thank you to Kaci Nowadly, Hamburg High School teacher for helping to facilitate Ellie’s submission.
Honorable Mention
M-Money
Developer:
Michael Zhang, Oak Valley Middle School, San Diego, CA
Platform:
Android
Description:
M-Money is a money management tool for individuals with cognitive challenges such as memory loss. The app allows users to plan where their money will be spent by setting priorities to different subcategories, such as food, shelter, medication, etc.
Additional Information:
Special thank you to Ms. Anne Chan from Oak Valley Middle School for assisting and supporting Michael throughout this process.