Design that Matters!The JETS/AbilityOne National Engineering Design Challenge (NEDC) is a free engineering design competition open to students in grades 9-12. Design teams from high schools or other groups are invited to apply. Accepted teams will design and build an assistive technology device to help a person with disabilities from their community succeed in his or her workplace.The NEDC is a cross-curricular, collaborative competition in which teams of students use their creativity, problem solving, math, science, research, writing, presentation, drafting and design skills to create a real-life assistive technology device to help individuals with disabilities succeed in the workplace and achieve independence in their lives. The NEDC educates young people about careers in engineering, increases disability awareness, promotes community involvement and inspires a spirit of engagement and a willingness to help others. The NEDC helps high school students learn first-hand how engineering can make a positive difference in someone's life! National Recognition, Prizes and Travel Winning students will receive national recognition for their designs. Finalists will be awarded travel to the national finals competition in Washington, DC! Winning teams will win cash prizes! Registration opens September 2, 2008. All registration and application information will be available online Summer 2008. There is no registration fee to compete in the NEDC. In addition, scholarships are offered on a case by case basis to assist with costs associated with the construction of the device. The application and report submissions are all online.
NISH and the AbilityOne Program Established in 1974, NISH is one of two national, nonprofit agencies designated by the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled to support nonprofit agencies (NPAs) participating in the AbilityOne Program, formerly the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Program, which provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities by procuring Federal contracts for quality services and goods. Headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, NISH supports a network of more than 2,100 NPAs, as well as Federal customers, by providing legislative and regulatory assistance, communications and public relations materials, information technology support, engineering and technical assistance, and extensive professional training needed for successful contract management.
The AbilityOne Program |
