Innovation and technology

Engineer and biophysisist Hugh Herr rock climbing at Quincy Quarries, Boston USA

What problems do you think amputees might face in everyday life?
David Sengenh was able to solve a problem for amputees using technology. What was the problem as explained in the video?
How could technology also help in these areas: housing, access to information, transport
What kinds of skills do you think define the kind of person who finds solutions to problems?

AUTHENTIC LISTENING SKILLS
Non-native English accents, like David's,  are now the norm rather than the exception. What can help you be more used to understanding them?
Did you find any aspect of his speech different than the English you're used to?
the pronounciation of some words?
The stress and rhythm of his speech?
Anything else?

Listen to the beginning of David's speech again. Underline below the parts that sound different from what you expected.

What does David say about...
his age during the war in Sierra Leone
people who had suffered amputation
the prosthetic limbs available in Sierra Leone
the  solution he produced (what/when/why)

What happened when? What was the chronological order of events? 
1. He got very positive feedback from a recent trial
2. They discussed solving the problem of painful sockets.
3. He produced the sockets with a 3D printer.
4. He met proffessor Hugh Herr.
5. He used medical technology to look at individual patients.

BrE and AmE
burned burnt
molding moulding
figure it out, work it out
custom , custom-made
modeling, modelling
wrapped up, concluded
manufacure, manufacture

How about innovations to help people with disabilities in everyday life
wheelchair ramps
adapted public transport
audio as well as visual signals on street crossings
braille in lifts and on cash machines

One thing that troubles me is that...
...is simply unacceptable to... in our age.
I don't know how...but I'd love to figure it out.

LYRICS