For more than five decades, the NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) have been on the cutting edge of science and technology that enables people with disabilities to live fully and independently in their communities. Their research covers the spectrum of disability and spans all age groups, leading to innovation in wheeled mobility, prosthetics and orthotics, communication technology, universal design, and much more. This week, we’re looking at the current RERCs and their work, and highlighting some of the recent achievements of this remarkable community of researchers and developers!
Meet the RERCs
Assisting Stroke Survivors with Engineering Technology (ASSET) addresses key challenges slowing uptake of assistive devices by stroke survivors. The RERC examines the potential of wearables to allow users to regain control of movement of their arms and legs and to sense those motions even when the neural damage remains.
Building Advanced Cerebral Palsy Assistive Care Solutions (BACPACS) develops assistive devices that are specifically designed for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The RERC also evaluates the effectiveness of novel interventions that promote long-term benefits for children with CP (such as at-home therapy devices and low-cost exoskeletons), and develops clinical monitoring and prediction systems tailored to children with CP that can inform personalized therapy.
Enhancing Neurocognitive Health, Abilities, Networks and Community Engagement (ENHANCE II) explores how technology, such as intelligent coaching and extended reality, can support the ability of older adults with cognitive disabilities to successfully engage in daily living and community activities.
Innovative Design and Research for Enhancing Assistive Devices (IDEA) Center advances prosthetic and orthotic design and research to maximize the performance, comfort, health, and embodiment of prosthetic and orthotic interfaces to improve the quality of life of individuals with limb differences.
Participatory Assistive, Integrative, and Responsible Technology (PAIR-Tech) cultivates novel approaches to the accessibility of information and communication technology (ICT) by using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to increase agency and control for people with disabilities.
Power of Play focuses on expanding access to and promote use of regular/consistent physical activity, sports participation, and active recreation for persons with disabilities. The RERC conducts research and development of novel recreational technologies, health-related products and equipment, and advanced training and educational techniques.
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) promotes opportunities for participation and language and literacy learning for individuals with developmental disabilities who use or would benefit from AAC. The RERC conducts high-quality research, innovative technology development, state of the art training, and effective dissemination and knowledge translation.
RERC on Advancing Rehabilitation Technologies for Ambulation advances state-of-the-art rehabilitation interventions and technologies using robotics and neuromodulation for lower extremity rehabilitation to improve functional ambulation among people with neuromuscular disorders such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.
RERC on Blindness and Low Vision conducts research and development focusing on three main areas of need among people who are blind and visually impaired: Access to education and information, navigation and spatial interactions, and optimizing function with residual vision.
RERC on Physical Access and Transportation for People with Disabilities conducts research and development aimed to expand access to and promote ease of usage of transportation by people with disabilities, including personal and on-demand wheeled vehicle transportation and commercial airline travel.
RERC on Recreational, Sport, and Exercise Technologies for People with Disabilities conducts research and development projects that address barriers to participation in healthful recreation, sport, and exercise among adults and children with disabilities. Examples include low-cost adaptive sports equipment, telehealth interventions, accessible playground standards, and more.
RERC Center on Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing addresses the accessibility and usability of technology for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The RERC focuses on critical needs and opportunities in the emerging areas of immersive technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), such as extended reality, next generation assistive listening devices, and AI-based voice generation tools.
RERC on Universal Access to ICT (TRACE RERC) addresses key accessibility gaps that inhibit or prevent people with disabilities from using of existing and emerging ICT. The RERC’s work includes developing strategies to individualize GenAI systems, identifying and addressing the needs of older users, and developing and improving accessibility standards.
RERC on Universal Design Application engages consumers, designers, service providers, and policymakers in designing, using, and evaluating innovative and supportive physical environments, transit, information technologies, and products.
Rehabilitation Interventions Based on Accurate Assessments with Combined Home-Hospital Rehabilitation champions innovative technologies/approaches for a combined hospital-home rehabilitation that will improve therapeutic outcomes among individuals with neurologic disorders and older adults with disabilities
Technologies to Support Aging Among People with Long-Term Disabilities (TechSAge) conducts advanced engineering research and development of innovative technologies, as well as training and dissemination efforts. The RERC aims to meet the needs of people aging with long-term disabilities where they live, work, and play, from smart bathrooms to telewellness programs.
Explore RERC Resources
- The Power of Play created a repository of adaptive sports/play equipment designs that can be built with readily available materials or 3D printers.
- The RERC on AAC created an app to help AAC users teach their communication partners (school staff, care providers, employers, and others) about AAC and how they use it to communicate.
- The Participatory, Assistive, Integrative, and Responsible Technology project developed a11yhood.org, a catalog of open-source assistive technology.
- The RERC on Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing developed a large language-model driven touch interface for Amazon Alexa, a prototype tool for more efficient interaction with voice assistants.
- The RERC on Blindness and Low Vision developed Audiom, which allows blind and low vision individuals view maps completely in audio.
These are just a few examples of the innovative work of this community. You can learn more about the latest resources from the RERCs and the wider NIDILRR grantee community by subscribing to our News and Notes from the NIDILRR Community and Beyond newsletter! You can also contact our Information Specialists by email, chat, phone, or virtual visit to learn more about NIDILRR grantees and their remarkable work.