TNS010F

Temporary

Introduction to Rehabilitation Engineering as a Research Subject

7.5

Third-cycle course

7602 (Department of Design Sciences / Division of Rehabilitation Engineering Research)

 -01-08

FN3/Per Tunestål

English

If sufficient demand

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the research subject Rehabilitation Engineering and to Certec. Our research is situated as starting from the lived (dis)ability. This means that the research perspective is that of the individual concerned and is carried out from the individual's life situation. Our aim is to design useworthy technology by means of design side by side and in close partnership with the intended users. Our work emanates from the individual’s perspective and her situation in order to find sustainable factors for the design of the totality of technological and human assistance in everyday life.

For this, we engage technology, design concepts and participatory methods. Technology can be both the means for assisting people with disabilities in life, but also part of the process of understanding people´s needs, wishes and dreams.

This introductory course will provide the student with an overview of key concepts and tools/methods together with concrete examples of how the above translates into actual research.

During the course the student will gain insight into the key concepts disability, design, sustainability, in close partnership, individual’s perspective, use qualities, totality of technological and human assistance. To pass the course the student should be able to present a first draft of how these concepts could be implemented in their planned future PhD work. The course will progress through weekly seminars devoted to the above concepts. At each seminar a short presentation (based on suggested readings and available examples) made by the students will be discussed. The final examination is a seminar where the draft of the future PhD work is presented and discussed.

have a basic understanding of the following key concepts:
“Disability” – what is disability? How does it relate to impairments and environments? Relation to disability research, diversity, design for all, inclusive design, etc.
“Design” – what do we mean by design? Overview of different approaches to the design process.
“In close partnership” – what does this mean, and what methods can be used? This also includes ethical considerations
“Individual’s perspective” – what does this mean, and how will it influence our work? Medical/social model vs lived perspective
“Use qualities” – what are the qualities of a design that are important for the user experience? How do they relate to concepts such as useworthiness or usability?
“Totality of technological and human assistance” - how should this be understood and implemented in practice?
“Sustainable” – how does the concept of sustainability relate to rehabilitation engineering?

be able to discuss and present these key concepts
be able to present a first draft of how these concepts could be implemented in their planned future PhD work

Seminars

Weekly seminars.

Seminars given by participants

Failed, pass

 

The literature is communicated at the beginning of the course.

Rehabilitation engineering research at Certec is about people, technology, learning and design from a disability perspective.

TNS010F

2022-08-29

Åsa Håkansson