18.04.2015 Views

8.1MB - College of Education - Auburn University

8.1MB - College of Education - Auburn University

8.1MB - College of Education - Auburn University

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Innovation<br />

station<br />

<strong>College</strong>’s new Center for Disability<br />

Research and Service <strong>of</strong>fers range <strong>of</strong><br />

resources for region<br />

A<br />

diving accident nearly 20<br />

years ago left Scott Renner<br />

paralyzed from the neck<br />

down, but it didn’t stop him from<br />

living a rich and active life.<br />

Renner credits assistive technology for helping him enjoy some<br />

<strong>of</strong> the same activities he engaged in before the accident. Assistive<br />

technology enables him to turn on lights, open doors and answer<br />

his phone, but it also affords him the freedom to engage in more<br />

adventurous pursuits like water skiing.<br />

“My rehab was looking at the utilization <strong>of</strong> assistive technology,”<br />

said Renner, the assistive technology coordinator for <strong>Auburn</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s<br />

new Center for Disability Research and Service. “I think it<br />

represents quality <strong>of</strong> life. It’s independence, and people want to have<br />

a high level <strong>of</strong> independence, choice and control.”<br />

Faculty and staff assigned to the Center for Disability Research<br />

and Service are committed to helping individuals with disabilities<br />

realize their hopes and dreams and gain and maintain the freedom<br />

Renner described. The center, an extension <strong>of</strong> the college’s Department<br />

<strong>of</strong> Special <strong>Education</strong>, Rehabilitation and Counseling housed in<br />

the Dawson Building, <strong>of</strong>fers resources and conducts research in the<br />

areas <strong>of</strong> assistive technology, autism and developmental disabilities,<br />

program evaluation, and employer and community support. The<br />

facility opened to the public in August 2010 and has already earned<br />

acclaim for some <strong>of</strong> its research efforts.<br />

“The center will become a nationally recognized research hub<br />

regarding autism and will conduct research on the most significant<br />

disabilities relative to gaining access to education, employment,<br />

housing, transportation, health care and leisure,” <strong>Auburn</strong> President<br />

Jay Gogue said.<br />

Dr. E. Davis Martin, department head and Wayne T. Smith<br />

distinguished pr<strong>of</strong>essor, said the center’s multifaceted nature will<br />

enable it to provide meaningful assistance to individuals with significant<br />

disabilities in living independently and realizing their goals.<br />

The center’s personnel engage in research and service activities<br />

including counseling, speech, kinesiology, psychology and human<br />

services.<br />

“We’re trying to develop a model that will allow us to better assist<br />

those with the most significant disabilities to work, live and play<br />

in the communities <strong>of</strong> their choice,” Martin said.<br />

3 0<br />

K e y s t o n e V o l u m e V I I , 2 010

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!