Rachel Zimmerman was born in 1972 in London, Ontario. She is a space scientist and inventor of the Blissymbol printer. The Blissymbol printer translates Blissymbols, which are taped on a board, into written language on a computer screen. Through this device, for the first time, non-speaking people and people with severe disabilities can communicate with others. At just twelve years old, Zimmerman created this device for an entry into the school science fair and won a silver medal at the World Exhibition of Achievement of Young inventors. She went on to earn her degree in Space Science from the International Space University in France. Rachel Zimmerman currently works for the Planetary Society in California. She has written many articles and received numerous awards, including the Visionary Award for Women in Film and Television Showcase at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011.
The following websites include additional information about this inventive woman:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Zimmerman
http://www.women-inventors.com/Rachel-Zimmerman.asp
http://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/rachel-zimmerman
