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Image of a hand reaching out to tap a smart screen
June 25, 2024

Coursera Short Course Now Live!

The goal of our Short Course Development Project is to help students and professionals gain knowledge on challenges people with varying disabilities face with accessing and using mainstream wireless technologies and develop…

Photo of Paola Esquivel
June 7, 2024

Student Spotlight | Paola Esquivel

Paola Esquivel is pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh and is a Fulbright Scholar.  She graduated as an occupational therapist from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and completed a master's degree in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Alberta in…

Software Engineer Adit Shat demonstrates the Smart Tech Hub
May 24, 2024

ST4P Assemble!

The ST4P Hub, recently established thanks to an anonymous grant, serves as a national resource center dedicated to supporting research, training, policy, advocacy, and knowledge translation in the field of smart technology implementation for paralysis care.  Work is already underway on…

Image of Randy Huzenic, a distinguished man with glasses and a beard standing before a microphone
May 22, 2024

20th Annual Rehabilitation Institute Research Day

On May 22nd, this annual event co-sponsored by the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, brought experts from around the world to the University of Pittsburgh to share research and honor some outstanding work that has been done…

Mitch Bell speaks at a podium in front of a large crowd during the opening of the Assist+ center
May 21, 2024

Assist+ Opening and the Adaptive Golf Tournament

On May 21st, ST4P team member Mitch Bell opened the Assist+ assistive technology center at the UPMC Mercy Pavillion which specializes in technology that empowers people of different abilities including adaptive gaming! Earlier this month, Mitch also put together the first ever adaptive gaming…

Image of Stephanie Vasquez, Randall Huzenic, Cas Speanburg, and Mitch Bell
May 18, 2024

9th Annual Current Concepts in SCI Rehabilitation Conference

Nearly 18,000 individuals in the U.S. sustain a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) each year. Additionally, while non-traumatic SCI can be difficult to track, it is estimated to be roughly the same amount as traumatic injuries per year. The care of persons with SCI requires an interdisciplinary…

Image an iPad on a desk
May 17, 2024

New Accessibility Features for Apple

For Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple announces new accessibility features, including Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts. These features are crucial to our work on Smart Tech for Paralysis Care and for ALL…

Logo for the White House
May 16, 2024

HHS and DOJ Update Accessibility Rules

Today many essential services are delivered primarily or exclusively online however if accessibility of those services is not maintained when it's becomes digital then it really does become a barrier instead of an opportunity. Two rules that advanced digital accessibility and inclusion across…

Gaming Readapted Logo
May 15, 2024

Innovations in Adaptive Gaming

On May 15th, Drew Redepenning (Biomedical Engineer, Assistive Technology and Gaming Practitioner, ST4P team member, and Resident Physician at UPMC) presented a fantastic webinar entitled “Current Trends and Innovations in Adaptive Gaming” for the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive…

Image showing a smart home that reads Matter 1.3 Spec released
May 13, 2024

Why Matter matters

The new Matter 1.3 Specification enables energy reporting for Matter devices, and support for water and energy management, electric vehicle chargers, and new major appliances including support for microwaves, oven ranges, cooktops, extractor hoods/fans, and laundry dryers (the standard already…

Colorful Smart Home Abstract
April 15, 2024

This new hub will leverage smart technology to improve independence for people with paralysis

As care for individuals with paralysis moves increasingly toward home- and community-based delivery models, the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) and School of Medicine continue to lead research innovation with the establishment of the SmartTech…

Lindsey Morris, Nia Monteiro, Palma Foschi Walko, and Chapin Graham standing in front of their poster presentation
March 23, 2024

AOTA 2024 Conference

Lindsey Morris, Nia Monteiro, Palma Foschi Walko, and Chapin Graham presented, "Tech-Ready Therapists: Embracing Mainstream Technology for Enhanced Occupational Engagement" at…

KenCrest Logo, Text reads Your Dreams, Our Mission
March 13, 2024

KenCrest Smart Home Open House

Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Fellow Dr. Gina Novario attended as KenCrest’s Enabling Technology Department presented their innovative smart home to stakeholders and community partners. The smart home was renovated to incorporate universal design elements, home…

OSCIL Logo
February 25, 2024

MoDAT Focus Groups & Testing

The Mobile Device Assessment Tool (MoDAT) team conducted two focus groups at the Ocean State Independent Living Center in Warwick, RI. The first session consisted of 10 assistive technology (AT)…

Cover of the Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation with a light blue background on the left and a deep purple background on the right
February 13, 2024

Scoping Review Publication

The Wireless RERC published a scoping review in Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. The review addresses facilitators, barriers, and proposes education and training strategies for clinicians to integrate technology into their practices. 

Dicianno, B., Salh, A.,…