Three Strategies for Higher Education

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Three Strategies for Higher Education Assistive
Technology Training Design for All Education
Rehabilitation Engineering Education
Francisco Godinho UTAD, Portugal
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Summary

• Context / Reasons for this communication
• Awareness vs. Training Experts
• Overview and Outcomes of AT Training, D4All
  Education and Rehab Engineering Education in
  Higher Education
• Conclusions and Recommendations

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ICT AND DISABILITY

• Assistive Technology, Design for All and
  RehabilitationEngineering Education address two
  main aspects ofSocial Participation of People
  with Special Needs
• 1. Information Access and Communication
• 2. Mobility and Manipulation

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AWARENESS vs. TRAINING EXPERTSTwo Approaches

• Introduction of a class (typical with 5-6 ECTS)
  into the curriculum of several Education
  Programs. Involves a large number of students.
• Main Goal Awareness
• Full Education Program. Involves a restrict
  number of students.
• Main Goal Training Experts

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AT
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINNING
LEVELS OF EDUCATION Vocational/Technology
Specialization Course (Undergraduate
Diploma/Certificate)Class into Undergraduate
Studies Class into Postgraduate Studies or
Graduate Diploma, Master and PhD Degree
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AT
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINNING

• Class into Undergraduate and Postgraduate
  Studies
• Education /Special Education
• Health/Rehabilitation Education (Nursing,
  physiotherapy/ Occupation/Speech Therapy,
  Prosthesis, Gerontology)
• Biomechanics, Orthopaedic Engineer, Biomedical
  Engineering

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AT
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINNING
Outcome AT training will improve professional
skills to address the needs of people with
disabilities and elderly.
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D4ALL
DESIGN FOR ALL EDUCATION
LEVELS OF EDUCATION Class into Undergraduate
Studies Class into Postgraduate Studies or
Graduate Diploma, Master Degree
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D4ALL
DESIGN FOR ALL EDUCATION

• Class into Undergraduate and Postgraduate
  Studies
• Design Education
• Computer/ICT Science

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D4ALL
DESIGN FOR ALL EDUCATION
Outcome Introducing D4All into Design and
Computer/ICT Science Education Curriculum plays a
role of awareness. We are not preparing
professionals to work in Disability/Gerontology
Field. Although, could be a seed or wakeup for
students with vocation for social issues.
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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DESIGN FOR
ALLPOSTGRADUATE EDUCATION
AT
D4ALL

Multidisciplinary audience Educators, Rehab
Professionals, Psychologists, Designers,
Architects, Engineers, etc..
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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DESIGN FOR
ALLPOSTGRADUATE EDUCATION
AT
D4ALL

Outcome We could expect from these professionals
an high interest and important role concerning AT
and D4All in their background field.
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RE
REHABILITATION ENGINEERINGEDUCATION
is important because
Rehabilitation Engineering is the application of
science and technology (including Assistive
Technology) to improving the quality of life of
people with disabilities and elderly.
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RE
REHABILITATION ENGINEERINGEDUCATION

• Few Educational Opportunities in Europe
• Postgraduate Studies
• Rehabilitation Engineering Programat Dalarna
  University, Sweden (1 Year Course)
• Class into Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies

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RE
REHABILITATION ENGINEERINGEDUCATION
Rehabilitation Engineering is a recognized
activity but, generally, it is not a recognized
profession in Europe. Rehabilitation Engineering
lacks a traditionalcurriculum along with an
accredited degree.
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RESNA Certification Program
ATP
Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP)Ap. 2.500
certifications
ATS
Assistive Technology Supplier (ATS)Ap. 1.000
certifications
RET
Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET)Ap.
50 certifications
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RE
REHABILITATION ENGINEERINGEDUCATION
LEVELS OF EDUCATION Vocational/Technology
Specialization Course (Undergraduate
Diploma/Certificate)Undergraduate Studies
(Bachelor/Licenciature Degree) Postgraduate
Studies (Graduate Diploma, Master and PhD Degree)
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RE
Rehabilitation Engineering and Accessibilityin
Portugal
The first European Bachelor/Licenciature Degree
(3 Years Course) in Rehabilitation Engineering
and Accessibility began this year (Oct 2007) in
Portugal at the University of Trás-os-Montes and
Alto Douro (UTAD)
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Conclusions Recommendations

• Introduction of AT and D4ALL classes into the
  curriculum of General Education Programs are
  important and should increase.
• Europe needs also fully trained experts and the
  opportunities for such education are
  insufficient.
• To promote Rehabilitation Engineering as a
  profession, Europe needs to promote
  Rehabilitation EngineeringEducation with an
  accredited University degree.

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THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ATTENTION !
ContactFrancisco Godinhogodinho_at_utad.pt