World’s first Masters course in Global Disability Innovation launches
With the accelerating global demand for assistive technology (AT), the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), based at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has launched a ground-breaking Masters course starting in September 2019 to support pioneers in this emerging area of study.
Awarded by UCL, a top 10 world university, the MSc in Disability, Design and Innovation will bring together design engineering with global policy and the societal context of disability. Taught by renowned experts in disability, design and technology, students will experience a fast-paced, dynamic learning environment, where theory is immediately taken into practice.
The multidisciplinary course will harness academic excellence, innovative practice and co-creation to tackle global challenges from a new perspective. Delivered across three top institutions (UCL, Loughborough University London and the London College of Fashion), the MSc offers a uniquely collaborative learning approach.
The GDI Hub is at the forefront of the global AT movement. Students joining the MSc programme will study within a live delivery environment, alongside flagship disability innovation projects including AT2030 (Life Changing Assistive Technology for All), a £10 million global programme lead by the GDI Hub to reach over three million people, testing new approaches and backing ‘what works’ to get AT to those who need it.
AT2030 tackles the issues of identity and stigma, markets and products and ultimately works across domains to deliver a new approach to the design, delivery and development of the AT space to ensure disabled people are fully included in society.
GDI Hub works alongside global partners, NGOs and DPOs, innovative businesses, governmental departments and leading academics, innovators and influencers. Career options for students graduating from the MSc include inclusive design and innovation, global policy and research, disability rights, international development, accessibility and assistive technologies, start-up and entrepreneurship.
Three Snowdon Trust scholarships are available for UK-based disabled students. One scholarship will fund tuition and a bursary, two will fund tuition only. The GDI Hub and Snowdon Trust are encouraging high achieving disabled students to apply.
A further scholarship is available to US based students via The UCL Friends & Alumni Association, a non-profit organisation connecting talented American students with the opportunities offered at UCL.
Born out of the legacy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, GDI Hub is a movement to accelerate disability innovation for a fairer world.
Dr Catherine Holloway, Academic Director of the GDI Hub, commented: “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 first 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 profile global collaborations. We’re looking for exceptional students with the drive and determination to push the boundaries of this new area of study.”
Applications close on the 14th June 2019.
To find out more, the website is here