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January 23, 2013

Mouse Corps Members Explore Technology Design with United Cerebral Palsy of NYC

Mouse is thrilled to be partnering with UCP of NYC this year!  Through our Mouse Corps program, NYC high school students develop their skills and experience by designing and creating new technologies that address social needs.

This year, Mouse Corps members will be working with adults in UCP of NYC programs to assess ways in which technology design and innovation can be applied to positively impact the needs of individuals with disabilities.

"Great learning experiences offer young people authentic opportunities to see their skills having real impact on the world around them,” said Marc Lesser, Mouse Education Director. “And great organizations like UCP of NYC do one better: seeing an important opportunity to help learners better understand not only the needs of those living with CP, but also the many abilities, talents, and unique perspectives that make them terrific collaborators in the design process."

"UCP of NYC is thrilled to embark on this partnership with Mouse and anticipates an exciting dialogue throughout the project design process. As the Mouse Corps students collaborate with us to brainstorm, prototype, and share ideas about accessible solutions for the people we serve, we are confident they will have a meaningful learning experience and we will be better off because of their efforts." -- Marta Willgoose, Vice President of Communications, United Cerebral Palsy of New York City

On December 11th, Mouse Corps members visited UCP of NYC to introduce themselves, meet program collaborators from UCP of NYC, and learn more about their interests and experiences. Mouse Corps members interviewed our program participants, teachers, and staff, and gathered helpful information to use in the design process.

Prior to their visit, UCP of NYC self-advocates traveled to the Mouse office to deliver a disabilities-specific sensitivity training. Mouse Corps members used what they learned from UCP of NYC’s self-advocates and maximized their interview sessions employing incredible listening skills.

"Partnerships like this one are essential to fulfilling our mission. At Mouse, we believe strongly that one of our most important roles is to help distribute the wealth of skills, enthusiasm and expertise that young people offer to the many stakeholders in our community who can use them. And, in return, our youth gain important lessons and critical exposure to the many institutions and individuals around them working to make positive change in our world." -- Marc Lesser, Mouse Education Director

As follow to these visits, Mouse Corps members, technology and design mentors and participants from UCP of NYC all worked together during an all-day design-a-thon at the Cooper-Hewitt Design Center.  Read more about our Mouse Corps Design Retreat with members of UCP of NYC here.

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