Rory A. Cooper,
PhD
Born: November 9, 1959 -
Alhambra, CA
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Entry into the AT field:
1981
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How I got into the
field
I received a spinal cord
injury, and began designing better wheelchairs for my personal use. I have a
PhD in engineering and post-doctoral training in rehabilitation
engineering.
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Important event(s) that influenced
my early decision to get into the assistive technology field
Receiving a spinal cord injury has been the most
important event in my decision to enter the field.
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Why I chose the AT
field
Working in the field of
rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology allows me to help other
people with disabilities and to contribute in a positive way to society. There
are also a large number of interesting and challenging problems to work
on.
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My inspiration and
mentor
There have been several people
over the course of my involvement with assistive technology that have
influenced me. Peg Giannini, MD and Cliff Brubaker, PhD have had an important
influence on my career. However, my students, my colleagues, and the people
with disabilities with whom I work and have worked have also been
critical.
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Why the field is important to me
and the central focus of my work
It
is a field where engineers can have a direct and lasting impact on enhancing
quality of life for people with disabilities. My work has primarily been in the
areas of wheelchair research and development and the education of
rehabilitation engineers. These areas are core to the fields of assistive
technology and rehabilitation engineering.
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My memorable successes and
greatest contributions to the field
I
can think of two things I consider successes. One, the students who have
excelled in their education and those (sometimes the same ones) that have
progressed in the field making important professional contributions. Secondly,
I have been fortunate enough to be a member of a few R&D teams that have
had some technical and clinical successes. Of those technical/clinical
successes, the recent clinical practice guidelines for upper limb preservation
for SCI represents an affirmation of 20 years of accumulated work.
The wheelchair standards, their application, and
their impact on access to quality wheelchairs is also very rewarding. We have
also worked on a few devices such as the PAPAW that have been interesting and
helpful. I am unsure that anyone can claim full credit for a significant
contribution. However, if someone were to try and characterize my greatest
contributions, they would probably highlight my work on building research
capacity in rehabilitation engineering and my contributions to the improvement
of wheelchairs.
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My most memorable
failures
Everyone in research and
education experiences failure. I think the two most difficult things I have
dealt with professionally are people who have tremendous potential but who do
not live up to it and when I have been unable to convince policy makers or
funding sources of the negative impact of their decisions. The way I have dealt
with set-backs is through perseverance. By thinking of the people we have and
can help, provides us strength for the challenging times.
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Significant changes and advances
in the field since I first entered it
The most significant change is that the field has
become more professional. There is more formal education, continuing education,
and translation of research into practice. People communicate more as a group
through journals, websites, e-mail, and meetings.
There are number of things that have had an
important impact. Advances in computing power, ubiquitous use of
microcontrollers, availability of advanced materials, rapid prototyping,
computer simulations, clinical practice guidelines have all impacted our work.
These have resulted in better electric powered wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs,
computer access systems, augmentative communication systems and a host of other
devices. Through advances in technology, we can serve more people and all
people better.
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On the future of rehabilitation
engineering and assistive technology
I believe that devices will continue to get
smarter and the human-machine interfaces will improve. The future will be based
upon advances in other fields and how they are wisely applied to rehabilitation
engineering. I predict that Participatory Action Design will be the dominant
means of developing new designs in the future.
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My role within RESNA and what it
gave back to me
I have held numerous
positions within RESNA. I have served as Chairs of committees, Board Member,
Executive Committee member, Treasurer, President-Elect, President, and soon to
be Past-President. I have also served on such ad hoc committees as search
committees for two executive directors. My philosophy has always been to try
and use my abilities and influence to help RESNA, rather then to use RESNA to
advance my career. However, I have learned a lot from the staff and volunteer
leadership of RESNA over the years.
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On the future of RESNA
RESNA is a vibrant and viable organization. It is
on the verge of making some impressive advances if the leadership makes the
correct decisions and dedicates their time and energies to promote and sustain
the planned course of action.
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My suggestions for those just
entering the field
These are the best
of times and the worst of times. There are a lot of opportunities, but at the
same time there are the challenges with research funding and reimbursement for
services. Rehabilitation engineers still do not have the clinical credibility
they deserve. However, all of these things are capable of changing and RESNA
needs to work on them.
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