Introduction to Rehabilitation Engineering as a Research Subject
Introduktion till rehabiliteringsteknik som forskningsämne

TNS010F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2022
Decided by: FN3/Per Tunestål
Date of establishment: 2015-01-08

General Information

Division: Division of Rehabilitation Engineering Research
Course type: Third-cycle course
Teaching language: English

Aim

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.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• 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?

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• 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

Course Contents

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.

Course Literature

The literature is communicated at the beginning of the course.

Instruction Details

Type of instruction: Seminars. Weekly seminars.

Examination Details

Examination format: Seminars given by participants
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Further Information

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

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:
Web page: https://www.design.lth.se/utbildning/forskarutbildning/forskarutbildningskurser/