Description:

Abstract

 “Effective mobility” (C Butler, 2010) at home, work and play is a human right. In this presentation we will discuss Assistive and Rehabilitative Technologies (A/RTs) designed for mobility -- and the clinical, industry and research professionals that design, promote, manufacture and study these medical technologies. Each of which are in trouble.

In this presentation, we will briefly discuss the causes and consequences of the almost complete lack of high impact A/RTs – and how this situation is placing neurorehabilitation and rehab research at risk for becoming passe’ if not laughable to the world outside of the academic/research/medical tri-bubble. Relax….All may not be lost!

I believe there are specific steps that may allow clinicians, industry leaders, and researchers to take over the free world in a way rarely discussed. These steps require individuals, groups and institutions to exhibit honest and sustained self assessment – then set about creating a mind shift in which professionals, users, caregivers and the broader community collaborate openly towards a radical yet feasible reality: where A/RT is user influenced, community based and supports social mobility of every type, by everyone, with everyone, everywhere, all the time. The first generation of such technology is available right now.

Speaker

Dr. James C. (Cole) Galloway, PhD, PT, FAPTA, is currently Professor at Department of Physical Therapy, 
University of Delaware. Cole’s “blue collar futurist” approach guides his interdisciplinary collaborative work. His personal interests in family, music, comedy and social justice mix effortlessly with his professional background of rehabilitation, neuroscience, child development, human-machine interaction and open source culture. His research and prototype development work (focused on the key role of social mobility in life) serves to directly challenge the out of date culture of pediatric and adult rehabilitation with a highly hopeful set of alternative products and processes. As the Founder of Go Baby Go – a 70 chapter research, education and advocacy movement -- he invents and studies assistive devices for children and adults with severe mobility issues. His approach of combining high tech and low tech into “go tech” has garnered the interest, funding and awards from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, Department of Education, the medical and toy industries, and the APTA.

Here are videos of some of Cole’s current projects and his TED talk.

BABIES AND ROBOTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQnPcIGY02I

GO BABY GO (sample workshop video)
https://youtu.be/5twOYebytX4

REAL WORLD HARNESSES: ADULT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAuz_iX_BDE

REAL WORLD HARNESSES: BABIES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PBn3DzdLSg

TED TALK
http://tedmed.com/speakers/show?id=292992