|
Rehabilitation engineering is the systematic application
of engineering sciences to design, develop, adapt, test,
evaluate, apply, and distribute technological solutions to problems confronted
by individuals with disabilities. Functional areas addressed through
rehabilitation engineering may include mobility, communications, hearing,
vision, and cognition, and activities associated with employment, independent
living, education, and integration into the community.[1]
While some rehabilitation engineers have
master’s degrees in rehabilitation engineering, usually a
subspecialty of biomedical engineering, most rehabilitation engineers have
undergraduate or
graduate
degrees in
biomedical engineering,
mechanical engineering, or
electrical engineering.
The rehabilitation process for
people with disabilities often entails the
design of assistive devices intended to promote inclusion of their users into
the mainstream of society, commerce, and recreation.
Rehabilitation
Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, whose
mission is to "improve the potential of people with disabilities to
achieve their goals through the use of technology", is the main
professional society for rehabilitation engineers.
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers conduct research in
the rehabilitation engineering, each focusing on one general area or aspect of
disability.[2] For example, the
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research
Institute conducts research for the
blind
and
visually impaired.[3] Many of the
Veterans Administration Rehabilitation
Research & Development Centers conduct rehabilitation engineering
research.[4]
PSGs
Professional Organization
Old RESNA homepage
New RESNA homepage
|