ICDR-IST State-of-the-Art Conference

Technologies and Strategies for Physical Transfer
of Individuals with Motor Impairments
 

Hilton Arlington and Towers, Arlington, Virginia
Monday and Tuesday, September 10 and 11, 2007

This two-day conference is intended to bring together experts in the field to document the state of the science in strategies and technologies for independent and assisted transfer by people who have mobility disabilities. It will serve as a forum for information sharing among multiple stakeholders invited to attend and speak and will include federal and private sector researchers; people with disabilities; industry representatives, federal agency program staff, and policy analysts. It will also be a catalyst for prioritizing future directions for the federal disability research agenda.

Sample issues:

• How independent transfer is accomplished and the differences in transfer types: horizontal, vertical up, vertical down, and a combination of horizontal and vertical, as well as transfers in series: transfer tiers and steps in pools and playground equipment, and transfer devices for amusement rides, boating, and other activities.
• Focus is on independent transfer. However, assisted transfer will also be discussed. Assisted transfer may include involvement of professionals in healthcare settings as well as family caregivers at home.
• Healthcare setting issues could include transfer to dentist’s chairs, exam tables, scales, and assuming a position for testing procedures such as MRIs, sonograms, and x-ray.
• Discussion could include airline transfer to boarding chairs and within-terminal transit.
• Presentation and discussion of research support for transfer strategies as well as technologies, including issues of repetitive stress injury, falls during transfer, caregiver injury, and wet-environment transfers (for example, tubs, shower chairs and benches, pool deck transfers, and sailing/boating transfers).
• Rehabilitation issues: Transfer training for vehicle, air travel, and return-to-work and home.
• Assistive technologies could include airline chairs, hoists, transfer boards for sliding, vests for use by caregivers, sit-to-stand assists.
• Issues related to the built environment will be incorporated for example, anchoring grab bars, providing space for assisted transfer, etc.