“We are hopeful that through this program we will be able to expand the impact of our project and create a successful business that improves the lives of our customers,” Emily Herring said.

“We are hopeful that through this program we will be able to expand the impact of our project and create a successful business that improves the lives of our customers,” Emily Herring said.

Emily Herring, a senior biomedical engineering student and Grand Challenge Scholar, is a recent Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative winner for the project she co-founded, Adaptive Designs. The Edson Initiative provides opportunities for ASU’s student startup teams to further their projects.

Adaptive Designs focuses on assisting people with developmental and cognitive disabilities. As part of the Engineering Projects in Community Service program, Herring worked with Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services (STARS). She noticed individuals with cerebral palsy who had the ability to read were often unable to do so due to physical disabilities. Simply turning pages could require the assistance of a STARS staff member.

Herring and her team developed the idea of an e-reader that would allow people with disabilities to read independently. The design includes a sensor-activated page turner and an adjustable mount. This e-reader offers more than reading time, it can encourage feelings of independence and an improved quality of life.

The Edson program opens the doors to multiple opportunities for winning teams. The program offers office space, mentoring, seed funding and an educational program to further winning teams’ startup works. During this semester, the Adaptive Design team has been able to conduct extensive market research and customer surveys through the assistance of contacts and mentors provided by the Edson program.

Learn more about the Edson Student Entrepreneurship Initiative and apply to develop your team’s startup work. Deadline to apply is Sunday, November 1, 2015.