Human factors
Designing products and systems to fit human bodies and cognitive ability
You’ve seen the numbers and heard the horror stories. Reports from the Department of Transportation show that domestic airlines are still damaging or losing an average of 30 wheelchairs and scooters every day. Successfully Flying as
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AFOs have made strides since their days of bulky and restraining leather and metal componentry. But even the customized thermoplastic devices used by much of the profession still have limitations, the experts say. WalkOn® Family of
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Arts Commons is Calgary’s home for performing and visual arts. Listen | How local app developers plan to make downtown Calgary more accessible. 9:23 CBC Calgary Eyeopener with Angela Knight. Aired: Dec. 5, 2022 Pedesting
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Researchers suggest ways to improve accessibility in advance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. A biologist examining a skull. Credit: Anthro Illustrated John Brhel, Binghamton University via EurekAlert! AAAS December
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Kieran Moore is a Canadian physician and public servant who serves as the current Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario. Healthy Debate photo by Maddi Dellplain, Healthy Debate November 22, 2022 Canada’s provincial medical
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To patients with disabilities, stereotypes can affect care. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario photo By Stuart Foxman, eDialogue December 17, 2021 ▽ Table of Contents Introduction Seen as extra work A focus on the
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Researchers at the Beckman Institute have developed a tool to measure stress regulation and parent-child bonding in young children. The device enables infants as young as one month to provide useful information from the comfort of
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An estimated 1 in 6 students in Ontario have a disability and face barriers to education, advocate says. Michelle Cousins makes herself comfortable with a pillow and a blanket in her accessible van while she camps out near her
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Julia Prendergast adjusts Tyme Fiedorczyk’s collar as she celebrates a strong frame during a field trip with the Ability Center to go bowling at Pinboy’s in Virginia Beach, Va. in July. Stephen M. Katz, The
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Do people around me see me as a liability and not as a human being? Lionel is an advocate for individuals with disabilities. He shares his experiences having trouble finding employment and being told a company can’t hire him because
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A new study by North Carolina State University researchers found that people often considered the look, texture and, occasionally, the smell of two assistive devices – compression gloves and a knee brace – in online reviews of the
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The Calgary Adapted Hub powered by Jumpstart is excited to announce the launch of four new adaptive and disability-inclusive sports to Calgarians. The Calgary Adapted Hub September 1, 2022 New programs include: Wheelchair Lacrosse at
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A “neural bypass” routes signals around the damaged spinal cord, potentially restoring both movement and sensation. Motion Restored: Luke Tynan, who was paralyzed in 2017 by a spinal cord injury, demonstrates the wearable system
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Researchers develop a comfortable, form-fitting fabric that recognizes its wearer’s activities, like walking, running, and jumping. Using a novel fabrication process, MIT researchers have produced smart textiles that snugly conform
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Ebikes are a rising trend for cyclists and bike enthusiasts. If you’re new to the topic, this is a great place to start learning the basics for beginners. Similarly to any more hands-on hobby, staying safe and taking precautions
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Bryan Narducci, 21, climbs into his SK Modified race car before taking some warm-up laps at Stafford Motor Speedway. Narducci was born three months prematurely and has cerebral palsy. He comes from a long line of race car drivers,
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A new Curtin-developed wearable sensor system has tracked the movement of dancers, providing valuable insights into how they adapt to dance through disabling pain. Curtin University illustration. Greta Carlshausen, Curtin University
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Study indicates interventions are needed to prevent musculoskeletal disorders from using smartphones. Students across Europe learn Swift to unlock new opportunities. Apple photo Tim Schnettler, Texas A&M University School of
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A rehabilitation device can increase the amount of arm exercises stroke patients do without professional supervision, according to a new study. Patient playing the Balloons Buddies video game which aims to boost rehabilitation of
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Combining new classes of nanomembrane electrodes with flexible electronics and a deep learning algorithm could help disabled people wirelessly control an electric wheelchair, interact with a computer or operate a small robotic vehicle
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Meta-analysis demonstrates AFOs improve gait, balance in stroke. Henning with WalkOn Reaction AFO. Otto Bock. Lower Extremity Review November 2021 In a recently published systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers from Korea
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I can recall clearly the first day that each of my three children walked to and from school on their own. I worried about whether they would get there without mishap. But I took for granted that, once at school, they would be safe. (I
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Siblings of children with chronic health conditions could be at an increased risk for depression, according to a new report. Twins David (left) and Luke Bridle, 11, pictured after Luke heroically saved David from drowning in the bath.
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Cerebral Palsy (CP) represents the most common cause of motor disability in childhood with dysfunctional gait being one of the main problems. Figure. The ankle-foot orthosis used in the study showing the 2 configurations: hinged AFO,
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Autistic children have indeed potential: most of their emotional abilities improve with age, concludes developmental psychologist Boya Li in her research on the emotional development of autistic children. Leiden University 10 November
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Phyllis Churchill has been waiting for unit from NLHC for months. Phyllis Churchill poses for a photo in her chair in her home in St. John’s. Garrett Barry CBC Garrett Barry, CBC News Nfld. & Labrador July 13, 2022 Phyllis
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Children who had a sibling with a developmental disorder scored higher in cognitive empathy than those who had typically developing siblings. However, there were no differences in emotional empathy or prosocial behaviors between those
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By using mechanical energetics to measure stability, researchers gain deeper insights into how and why we fall. Pawel Golyski and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Gregory Sawicki (left) with the CAREN (Computer Assisted
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Christian Bagg started Bowhead Corp. after breaking his back 26 years ago. Christian Bagg is the founder of Bowhead Corp., which creates off-road adaptive bikes. David Mercer CBC Taylor Simmons, CBC News Calgary August 06, 2022 When
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Patients for profit: How private equity hijacked health care. Bruce Goguen of Broomfield, Colorado, is paralyzed from multiple sclerosis. Without his wheelchair, he would be stuck in bed. But going through his wheelchair supplier to
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