Background

Established in 1993, AZtech originated from a grant-supported partnership between the Center for Assistive Technology at the University at Buffalo (CAT/UB), the Western New York Technology Development Center, and the Western New York Independent Living Project (WNYILP). This partnership was funded through a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a division of the U.S. Department of Education.  The original grant was successfully completed in August of 1998, at which time AZtech became an independent organization.  AZtech is now an agency of the Western New York Independent Living Project (WNYILP), and its offices and focus group facilities are housed within the WNYILP office building. 

AZtech is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with medical conditions, disabilities, and the elderly.  Since our inception, we have facilitated hundreds of panels and focus groups to study and develop a wide variety of products and services, both in Buffalo, NY and across the U.S.  In the past three years alone AZtech has worked with over 700 consumers and facilitated over 50 focus groups related to medical products and assistive technologies. 

AZtech’s focus group process brings together product consumers with care givers and other stakeholders to establish a well rounded view of the unmet needs in regards to a particular product or service.  Our fully accessible, state-of-the-art focus group room permits the client to communicate with the group moderator in real time, and bridging services are available for remote viewing of groups in process.  The focus group facilities offer multiple cameras to ensure that important participant reactions are clearly captured, and DVD recordings of the groups are delivered along with the final report. 

AZtech has continued to work with the Center for Assistive Technology and its Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer (T2RERC) on a contractual basis.  AZtech regularly conducts focus groups for the T2RERC’s product conceptualization and development activities, and has worked with clients such as Black and Decker, Whirlpool, Honeywell, White Rodgers, and many other smaller manufacturers.  AZtech has also begun assisting companies that are using SBIR funds to develop products, and in 2006 designed and conducted a focus group related to diabetic monitoring devices for an SBIR awardee.