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State

California

National Resource

Yes

Topics

Assistive Technology

Keywords

Blind, Blindness, Development, Rehabilitation engineering, Rehabilitation engineering centers, Research, Research methodology, Technology, Visual impairments, university, RERC, research, engineering

Description

The goal of the The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute's Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC): is to impact a number of current barriers to opportunity faced by individuals who are blind, have low vision, and have multiple disabilities. 

Services Provided

This RERC addresses specifically: (1) emerging and underserved subpopulations, such as children born as premature infants with cortical visual impairment (CVI), returning veterans, and individuals with visual impairments due to brain injury, and individuals with combined vision and hearing disabilities; (2) access to graphical information by people who are blind or who have severe visual disabilities; (3) improvements in indoor and outdoor navigation; and (4) access by this population to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and careers. The RERC’s activities to address these issues include: (1) research to lay the groundwork for more informed decisions on rehabilitation materials and strategies for children with CVI and veterans with traumatic brain injury, as well as improved communication for individuals with dual sensory loss; (2) the development of new tools for accessing graphics such as a Tactile Graphics Helper and sonification cues for computer screen readers; (3) development of new tools for accessing devices and appliances with digital displays; (4) development of guidelines for teachers in the use of 3-D printing technology for the benefit of STEM students; (5) development of tools and techniques to enhance access to the Maker Movement by consumers who are blind; and (6) the implementation of a sustainable open source, crowd-sourced video description system for web-based video.

Contact Information

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center: Develop and Evaluate Rehabilitation Technology and Methods for Individuals with Low Vision, Blindness, and Multiple Disabilities
2318 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115