Enhanced Controls for Assessing Assistive Technology

Principal Investigator/s: Donald M. Spaeth, PhD, RET

Mentor: Rory A. Cooper, PhD

2005-2008

This is a three year, new investigator, training grant which will provide Dr. Spaeth with training and experience needed to function as an independent investigator.  An additional component of this grant is to establish Dr. Spaeth as a Rehabilitation Engineering Clinician providing veterans with disabilities assistive technology evaluation and prescription in the areas of wheeled mobility, power wheelchair controls, and alternative methods of computer access. 

Dr. Spaeth will also conduct a study to provide individuals with severe movement disorders personalized controls that will attempt to filter out unintentional movement and enhance their ability to independently access the World Wide Web. 

Clinic Activities:  Dr. Spaeth provides one day per week at two VA wheelchair clinics.  In addition to evaluations, configurations and fittings, he is making use of HERL’s research machine shop to design and constructed several custom wheelchair components unobtainable commercially

Dr. Spaeth is also an active member of the VA Prosthetics Clinical Management Team for Wheeled Mobility.  This is a VA nationwide clinical consortium that formulates practice standards and evaluates bid samples for wheeled mobility purchase contracts.  Dr. Spaeth provides engineering consultation and reviews ANSI/RESNA testing report submitted by bidders.  Participation involves weekly phone meetings and travel two to three times annually to participate in product evaluations.