Additional Resources

CAD/3D Modeling

• Onshape - Cloud-based CAD program with collaboration capabilities, used as BWSI AT's baseline CAD software since it is platform-agnostic; free academic license 

• Fusion 360 - CAD program by Autodesk, with design, engineering, electronics, and manufacturing capabilities; free with academic license 

• Tinkercad - Beginner-friendly browser-based 3D modeling tool; completely free and great for students new to CAD

• FreeCAD - Open-source parametric 3D modeling software for mechanical engineering and product design

• Blender - Free and open-source 3D creation suite for modeling, rendering, and animation

• Keyshot 3D - Professional rendering and animation software for creating photorealistic 3D visuals and product animations

Electronics & Programming

• Arduino - Open-source electronics platform with free IDE; widely used for prototyping interactive devices

• Raspberry Pi - Low-cost single-board computer; excellent for programming and electronics projects

• MIT App Inventor - Free, browser-based tool developed at MIT for building mobile apps without coding experience

• Scratch - Free visual programming language developed by MIT Media Lab; great for learning programming concepts

Circuit Design

• Tinkercad Circuits - Free browser-based circuit simulator integrated with Tinkercad

• Fritzing - Open-source electronics design automation software for prototyping circuits

• KiCad - Free and open-source electronics design automation suite for PCB design

Documentation & Collaboration

• Inkscape - Free and open-source vector graphics editor for creating diagrams and technical illustrations

• GIMP - Free and open-source image editor

• OBS Studio - Free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming (useful for documenting projects)

Simulation & Testing

• OpenSCAD - Free script-based 3D CAD modeler; particularly useful for parametric designs

MIT Course 6.811: Principles and Practice of Assistive Technology

• Fall 2014 on OpenCourseWare - Free online course materials including lectures, assignments, and project examples from MIT's foundational assistive technology course 

• Fall 2019 class page - Course website with syllabus, schedule, and additional resources from the 2019 offering of the class
  
  
  

MIT Assistive Technology Club

• AT Club - Student organization focused on assistive technology design, development, and community engagement at MIT
  
  

D4AT

Alumni of the 2021 summer course started a nationwide set of assistive technology clubs called D4AT in the 2021-2022 academic year, with four active chapters, as well as support from additional schools.

• The D4AT curriculum - A public fork of the BWSI AT pre-course

• D4AT Virtual Maker Faire - A virtual showcase featuring 10 different student project presentations on their co-design work with people in their communities with disabilities