Glenn Hedman, MS, PE,
ATP, RET
Born: December 3, 1958
- Chicago, IL
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Entry into the AT field:
Summer 1979
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How I got into the
field
In 1979, I was a bioengineering
undergrad at the University of Illinois, working part-time in the cafeteria at
the Rehab Institute of Chicago (RIC). On the 14th floor was the Northwestern
University Rehab Engineering Program (NUREP), led by Dudley Childress, with Ken
Kozole providing clinical rehab engineering services. I asked to volunteer for
NUREP. They had just completed designs and prototypes for an eating aid and a
mouthstick system. I documented the designs to enable others to fabricate the
devices themselves. I was then offered a part-time job as a fabrication
technician.
While working at NUREP, I
saw a flyer for the Rehab Engineering training program at the University of
Virginia, one of the few training programs in the country. I attended there
Fall 1981 through Spring 1983. After graduating from UVa, I returned to Chicago
to work as a Clinical Rehab Engineer for RIC under Ken Kozole. When Ken left
RIC I became Director of Rehabilitation Engineering in 1984. RIC Rehabilitation
Engineering Clinical Services experienced a lot of growth during the 1980s. In
1989, I left RIC to start a new service delivery outlet for northeast Illinois,
the Assistive Technology Unit (ATU) at the University of Illinois at Chicago
(UIC). The ATU was part of a research and public service office at UIC, the
Institute on Disability and Human Development (IDHD). In 1996, IDHD matured
into an academic department. Rehab Technology was identified as a concentration
within the masters program, and teaching and advising has become part of the
job as well.
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Important event(s) that influenced
my early decision to get into the assistive technology field
While I had the interest in disability and
engineering, I most likely would not be in the field of rehab engineering if it
were not for Dudley and Ken encouraging me. Their openness included finding a
way for me to contribute in their work.
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Why I chose the AT
field
While in the UIC Bioengineering
undergrad program, I chose artificial organs as my area of concentration. I saw
this as a way to work in engineering with a direct positive impact on people.
When I learned of rehabilitation engineering, however, it struck me as
dramatically more direct - in clinical services every project has an individual
consumer associated with it. That feedback on one's work was, and is, very
appealing to me.
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My inspiration and
mentor
In addition to Dudley and Ken,
I had the good fortune to do my student work at Virginia with another pioneer
of rehabilitation engineering, Colin McLaurin. The opportunity to discuss
wheelchair design with him on a daily basis was an incredible
experience.
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Why the field is important to me
and the central focus of my work
Although I have taken on administrative and
teaching responsibilities, I have maintained a sizable client load. So that
initial draw to the field, the direct contact with consumers, is still present.
Another reason rehabilitation engineering is important to me is the versatility
it encourages. Early in my career, work focused on activities of daily living
and other forms of adaptive equipment. Later seating and wheeled mobility was
the primary work. Since coming to UIC, I have been able to focus on worksite
modification and home accessibility. And going beyond the standard,
off-the-shelf options have always been an aspect of the work.
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My memorable successes and
greatest contributions to the field
As a student, being able to design and fabricate
a children's wheelchair with several non-standard components was an incredible
experience. I enjoyed designing each aspect of the wheelchair with guidance
from Colin and the UVa technicians. The opportunity to start a clinical service
program from scratch has been very special. As a practicing rehabilitation
engineer, I also feel good about achieving the PE, ATP, and RET. I highly value
the clinical work I have done, and continue to perform. The chance to present
case studies at the RESNA conference has helped me contribute to the field as
well. Within RESNA, I have tried to introduce new initiatives with each
assignment which have worked out well. The SIG-14 Don Ross Invited Lecture,
recognizing a leader of the SIG who passed away and providing job accommodation
professionals a forum has been very special. As RE-PSG Chair, I facilitated the
final development of the credential for Rehab Engineering Technology. The
RE-PSG had debated the issue of an RET credential for about 10 years. I led the
Task Force which developed a final plan. Most importantly, while not supported
by all, this plan was first brought to the RE-PSG giving members had a chance
to comment. It was my feeling that the group needed to view the plan, discuss
it, and indicate support or not. Ultimately, about 73% of those responding
indicated support, and the RET moved forward. Its value will be a function of
the recognition it gets, but at least it exists and has a chance to
develop.
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My most memorable
failures
Sometimes designs you think
won't work well winds up being really valued. One worksite modification device
I made for an individual trying to return to work in a lampshade manufacturing
facility, following a spinal cord injury. After a lot of design work, we made
came up with an accommodation. Not thinking the design was the best, I
apologetically brought it to the worksite and set it up. Client, supervisor,
and vocational rehabilitation counselor were all thrilled. She used it for
about 3 months, until she was able to perform the tasks without using the
frame. The counselor later called and said the device helped her get back to
work sooner, kept the employer interested in keeping his employee back and was
in line with the mission of the voc rehab agency. While only used for 3 months,
all viewed it as a success.
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Significant changes and advances
in the field since I first entered it
The amount of commercially available assistive
technology is significantly different than the early 1980s. This facilitated a
shift of the work, away from strict research and development to a healthy
amount of pure service delivery. In seating, the development of affordable
commercially available options for custom seat and back cushions was a major
step forward. In communication, the development of dynamic displays greatly
increased the communication options available to consumers.
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On the future of rehabilitation
engineering and assistive technology
The need for each has always been present, since
the earliest development work in the 1970s. With the aging population, the need
will be even greater. However, the future will be a function of how apparent
the need for each is seen by the gatekeepers and third-party payers of services
and technology.
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My role within RESNA and what it
gave back to me
I have served RESNA
in a variety of capacities, including SIG-14 Chair, RE-PSG Chair, Awards Chair,
Student Design Competition Chair, Finance Committee, Board of Directors, and
now President Elect. The interaction with colleagues has been a tremendous
asset. Additionally, life-long friendships have resulted. The ability to
provide leadership in different capacities has helped me develop
professionally. The recognition through these posts has also been seen as being
of high value by my supervisors.
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On the future of RESNA
During the past few years, RESNA has realized
that its focus needs to be on the issues facing professionals in rehabilitation
engineering and assistive technology. By helping professionals, ultimately
consumers gain greater access to more advanced technology. RESNA's focus paved
the way for investment in the credentialing program, which I think has been a
very positive step for the field. The challenge for RESNA is to be seen clearly
as the home of all professionals in rehabilitation engineering and assistive
technology: researchers, service providers, and educators. To the extent that
RESNA products and activities serve these constituencies, the future can hold
great potential. Further, an ultimate goal for RESNA should be providing the
forum where the integration of these three areas takes place.
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My suggestions for those just
entering the field
Working in rehab
engineering/AT is a noble profession. Combining innovation with direct feedback
on your work is unique. It makes it worth all the challenges.
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