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Entry into the AT field:
1974
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How I got into the
field
I started out in electrical
engineering, but found straight engineering to be dry and lacking people
interaction. I found out about biomedical engineering and fell in love with
neuroscience beginning a grad program in 1966. My son was born in 1968 with a
severe cognitive disability. This caused me to re-direct my interests form
basic science to more applied areas since I wanted to help him and others
through the use of technology. At that time the terms assistive technology and
rehabilitation engineering had not been coined so we were making it up as we
went. After being told by many "professionals" that lots of technology was
available for people like my son but seeing none of it in his schools, two
colleagues and I decided to start the Assistive Device Center (ADC) at
Sacramento State University to provide such technologies. This was in 1977.
This gave me a chance to work with real people who had real problems and
actually apply engineering to help solve those problems. I was in heaven, and I
got to teach about something that I was actually doing clinically at the same
time. An added bonus was having the opportunity to do research and development
in this new area.
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Important event(s) that influenced
my early decision to get into the assistive technology field
The major influence was my son, but I also had
the support and cooperation of my two colleagues in speech-language pathology
and psychology. They taught me a great deal about clinical work, how to deal
with clients as real people (engineering students don't learn anything about
actual people). It was a great group it ingrained the concept of teamwork and
the need for interdisciplinary teams in assistive technology work that has
lasted my whole career. The "event" was probably launching the Assistive Device
Center, an interdisciplinary project involving teaching, research and clinical
service.
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Why I chose the AT
field
Pretty much as I've covered
above-the field really "chose me". I guess the reason I have stayed with it is
that I feel a very real connection to people who have disabilities. I believe
very strongly in the social model of disability as a human rights issue, and I
believe that a major influence on full societal participation by persons with
disabilities is appropriate and effective use of AT.
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My inspiration and
mentor
I have had several mentors.
Doug Hobson and Elaine Trefler mentored me in rehabilitation engineering
applications (especially seating) and tormented me until I agreed to run for
the RESNA Board. Mary Binion taught me a great deal about organizations and
kindness and how these two things can work together. Colette Coleman introduced
me to the clinical world.
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Why the field is important to me
and the central focus of my work
The
areas that are central to my work include AAC, dissemination of information
through writing (texts and papers) and the development of educational programs
for engineers and others in AT.
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My memorable successes and
greatest contributions to the field
Development of assessment protocols and methods
in the late 70's, video tape series for training people in AAC in the 80's that
was widely used, and a major textbook in AT in the 90's. My textbook,
"Assistive Technology, Principles and Practice" has defined principles of AT
and helped a lot of people develop the knowledge for certification under
RESNA.
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My most memorable
failures
The closing of the ADC and
the BME grad program at Sacramento State due to financial issues and lack of
mainstream clout (volume and impact to the average person) was a major
disappointment. Since I started both of these and nurtured them for many years
this was a particularly painful experience. I also had, like everyone else,
failures to meet the needs of clients effectively. Fortunately, these were in
the minority, but I still feel bad about not helping as much as I would have
liked to. After the cancellation of the program and center, I moved to another
university (in Canada) as a dean and continued development of my interest in
and development of rehabilitation more broadly (OT, PT, SLP education and
research), rehab science research and my own research and teaching in AAC and
robotics. The client failures generally led to many tries to get them right,
but some just weren't feasible.
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Significant changes in the field
since I first entered it
The major
change is that it actually has evolved into a field. For many years, the work
of AT and rehab engineers was not recognized as fundable, significant and
important.
The development of software
driven products, mainstream applications that can be adapted to disability
needs is a significant advancement. The evolution of principles of application
for AT and the focus on outcomes of AT intervention and much greater funding
for AT devices and services are all major advances. They have allowed much
greater capability and more functional performance of products and devices as
well as development of new strategies for AT use. Increases in funding have
made AT much more available to the end users.
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My role within RESNA and what it
gave back to me
I served on the Board
for 11 years, 6 as president-elect, president and past-president. RESNA was a
big part of my life during that period. I was able to participate in the
development of the credentialing program, educational programs (such as the
Fundamentals course) and tried to keep the ship afloat.
RESNA has been important in my career mostly
through contacts with others working in AT and sharing of knowledge. Active
participation also gave me exposure that helped in other ways-such as the
development of contacts and collaborative projects.
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On the future of RESNA
Unless RESNA establishes itself as the "between
conference" place for high quality research, development information and
professional development, I don't think it has a real future. There are too
many competing conferences with better attendance and more effective
marketing.
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My suggestions for those just
entering the field
Welcome, take us
to the next stage! It's a great way to combine an interest in the real problems
of people with an interest in technology and its application.
