Occupational therapy

Suit up with a robot to walk and run more easily

A versatile, portable exosuit that assists both walking and running highlights the potential for lightweight and non-restrictive wearable robots outside the lab. Lightweight Exosuits are a new class of soft robots that combine … READ MORE

U of A lab developing wearable technology to prevent athletic injuries

Top student from China lends programming expertise to develop sensors and 3D avatar. Researchers at the University of Alberta are developing a wearable technology they say will help with athletic assessment and rehabilitation. Scott … READ MORE

Robotic walker may help young people be more social and physically fit

“Robotics holds great hope for individuals with CP where mobility options are limited. Physical and social advantages are evident,” the researchers wrote. By Iqra Mumal, Cerebral Palsy News Today April 29, 2019 A modified version … READ MORE

Drake Music Project scheme hits right note in helping disabled children

One Newry youngster whose life has benefited from being able to take part in a music workshop has spoken of his passion for the Sport Relief-backed project. Mary Louise McCord in the Crescent Arts Centre, Drake Music Project. Northern … READ MORE

Apple puts accessibility features front and center

Although the meat of Apple’s accessibility news from WWDC has been covered, there still are other items announced that have relevancy to accessibility as well. Here, then, are some thoughts on Apple’s less-headlining … READ MORE

CP Foundation launches new universal design “Accessibility is Beautiful” initiative

The Cerebral Palsy Foundation launched a new initiative on the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) called Accessibility is Beautiful, generously supported by CHUBB. The YouTube miniseries, developed by the Cerebral Palsy … READ MORE

Rehabilitation and cerebral palsy

Frequent re-evaluation of orthotic devices is important because children quickly outgrow them and can undergo skin breakdown from improper use of this equipment. Summer camp for children with cerebral palsy. CerebralPalsy.org Author: … READ MORE

Adolescents with cerebral palsy report similar quality of life to their able-bodied peers

“Our results are encouraging. Across 10 different areas of life, adolescents with cerebral palsy only ranked their quality of friend and peer relationships as on average lower than adolescents in the general population, … READ MORE

Non-invasive brain stimulation may help treat symptoms of rare movement disorders

Electrical stimulation of the brain and spinal cord may help treat the symptoms of rare movement disorders called neurodegenerative ataxias, according to a study published in the August 22, 2018, online issue of Neurology, the medical … READ MORE

The right trousers: Wallace and Gromit inspire artificial muscle clothing

Smart trousers could dramatically change lives of people with mobility problems. Wallace and his dog Gromit in the film The Wrong Trousers by Nick Park. Allstar photo in The Guardian. Layal Liverpool, The Guardian 11 September 2018 … READ MORE

Alberta law to allow unwed parents to share financial burden of disabled adult children

The proposed legislation would allow parents to apply for financial support from ex-partners. Christina Ryan reads to her daughter, Emily, who is 18 but still requires constant care due to her Down syndrome and several other medical … READ MORE

The curious case of Charles Krauthammer

Charles Krauthammer, Pulitzer-prize winning columnist for The Washington Post, best-selling author, Fox News commentator and well-respected conservative rhetorician, died on June 21 after an aggressive return of cancer following … READ MORE

Forget the cell phone screen, a forearm is all you’ll need to read

Researchers report haptic interface for mobile technology. Postdoctoral student Yang Jiao communicates words to Jaeong Jung, an undergraduate student, using phoneme signals transmitted to the haptic device on his forearm. Purdue … READ MORE

Multi-joint, personalized soft exosuit breaks new ground

Fully wearable soft exosuit with automatic tuning helps users save energy and walk outside over difficult terrain. The multi-joint soft exosuit consists of textile apparel components worn at the waist, thighs and calves that guide … READ MORE

Why we’re putting an Xbox controller on display at the V&A

The games console is part of our drive to exhibit modern objects – as a way to make sense of our complex world The Xbox adaptive controller marks an important moment in contemporary design history. Victoria And Albert Museum/PA … READ MORE

Cerebral palsy patients test Canadian researchers’ virtual rehabilitation system

Canadian researchers developed an at-home virtual rehabilitation system for people with weakness on one side of their body, then tested it in a two-month-long cerebral palsy related clinical trial – Functional Engagement in Assisted … READ MORE

Learning to improve foot control in cerebral palsy

A device to measure foot control is being trialled to improve walking ability for adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy. Learning to improve foot control in Cerebral Palsy, Shari O’Brien. School of Human Movement and … READ MORE

Robotic device improves balance and gait in Parkinson’s disease patients

Columbia engineers find that a single session of perturbation-based training, using their Tethered Pelvic Assist Device, increased stability of patients during walking while exposed to unexpected perturbations. Balance Test Offers … READ MORE

Students showcase their award winning accessibility related designs

National competition aims to find innovative, practical and low-cost solutions to make our communities more accessible for persons with disabilities. Innovative Designs for Accessibility – The IDeA competition. Universities Canada … READ MORE

‘Robotic Skins’ turn everyday objects into robots

When you think of robotics, you likely think of something rigid, heavy, and built for a specific purpose. New “Robotic Skins” technology developed by Yale researchers flips that notion on its head, allowing users to animate the … READ MORE

Robots as tools and partners in rehabilitation

Why trust should play a crucial part in the development of intelligent machines for medical therapies. A robot congratulates a patient for correctly sorting the colored beakers. Shelly Levy-Tzedek University of Freiburg 17 August 2018 … READ MORE

Taekwondo school offers unique course for people with Down syndrome

Hydra Martial Arts partnered with Calgary Ups and Downs society to start special needs class. Instructors at Hydra Martial Arts teach Taekwondo to students with Down syndrome in Calgary. Anis Heydari CBC Anis Heydari, CBC News Calgary … READ MORE

How the iPhone and App Store have redefined accessible software

Everyone acknowledges the societal and technological effects the iPhone has had on the world. In late 2007, Time named the original model its “invention of the year,” and rightfully proclaimed it “the phone that … READ MORE

How do you assess pain in children who can’t express themselves?

New research identifies priorities in identifying pain in non-verbal children with medical complexity. Pain is a frequent problem for children with complex medical conditions — but many of them are unable to communicate their pain … READ MORE

Low wages are driving a shortage of care providers – elders and the disabled now face a crisis in California

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 14 percent of Americans have developmental disabilities like Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. The rates of such disabilities are on a steady rise, and some members of … READ MORE

Student designs controller to boost disabled sister’s dexterity

An all-inclusive, spherical games controller – breaking down the barriers between able-bodied and disabled users whilst promoting rehabilitation. – The James Dyson Award Designer Billy Searle shows his sister Jess how to … READ MORE

First look at how children with cerebral palsy develop language skills

A new study of children with cerebral palsy could help ease the speech and language challenges many of these children face as they get older. The Hustad lab studies how speech, language, and communication abilities develop and change … READ MORE

Non-surgical recovery of function: Not a fantasy

“Improved voluntary hand function occurred within a single session in every subject tested.” Dr. Reggie Edgerton, Director of UCLA Edgerton Lab, poses for a portrait in his lab on the campus in Los Angeles, California, March 16, … READ MORE

Mayo Clinic researchers uncover methods to quantify the yips and golfer’s cramp

The findings could open the door to improved treatment options. Banff Springs Golf Course and Hotel. Banff, Alberta. Jim McVeigh, Mayo Clinic News Network July 19, 2018 SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Almost every golfer knows the feeling. … READ MORE

Calgary mom of terminally ill boy urges empathy in neighbourhood parking spat

‘I’ve had people come to my door and tell me that I needed to move the vehicle or they were going to hit it.’ Melissa Huitema and her sons, from left, Cade, 5, Kean, 3, and Kai, 7, are seen in this undated handout … READ MORE

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