BME Seminar: Dr. Frank Lane - Involvement of End User Perspectives in the Development of Technology: Past, Present and Future

Armour College of Engineering’s Biomedical Engineering Department will host a seminar featuring Frank Lane, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, and head of Rehabilitation Psychology at Illinois Institute of Technology on February 20, 2015. The lecture topic will be Involvement of End User Perspectives in the Development of Technology: Past, Present, and Future.

Abstract

The presentation's theme is to propose a model where the development of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities utilizes a cross-disciplinary research team, and the emphasis of all disciplines is on the end user of the assistive technology. Using qualitative methods in cross-disciplinary research is ideal for including end-user perspectives and using the methodology to afford individuals with disabilities a strong voice in product development and scientific inquiry. Historically, the independent living movement is viewed as a force that influenced the development of civil rights legislation in the United States. The same movement called for end-users involvement in any research that involved the development of assistive technology for people with disabilities. Strong pushback from the scientific community and funding sources within the U.S. Department of Education made it difficult to propose projects for funding that were not based on quantitative methodology.

The cochlear implant is an example of how not involving end users can create problems for assistive technology. Strong criticism from the deaf community has resulted from many individuals who are deaf not considering the technology as an option. The advancement of vision prostheses for individuals who are blind has historically made similar decisions not to involve end users. However, recent studies conducted over the past six years focusing on end-user perspectives may impact the development of future prostheses. Models for training future engineers, psychologists, and other health professionals should include the ability to communicate across disciplines in the classroom. Research models that focus on the lived experience of disability and the unique user perspective should be considered in the future.