Course syllabus

Rehabiliteringsteknik
Rehabilitation Engineering

TNX097, 7,5 credits, G2 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2014/15
Decided by: Education Board E
Date of Decision: 2014-04-02

General Information

Elective for: BME4-br, C4-da, D4, E4-mt, F4, M4, MD4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The purpose of this course is to be an eye-opener as to how technology can create possibilities for people with disabilities to increase their independence, quality of life and ability to participate in society. Knowledge of the human being and the ability to understand different people's lives will be important characteristics of an engineer to be able to participate in society's aspirations for diversity.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to identify and analyze the factors that may hinder people with disabilities, with a focus on what the individual wants to do in a concrete situations
• be able to reflect on and describe how technical aids can support and enable people with different disabilities to fulfill their dreams, desires and needs
• be able to evaluate a product for people with mobility impairments, hearing impairments, visual impairments and cognitive difficulties
• be able to describe inclusive design principles (eg, Universal Design, Design for All, Inclusive design) that can be used as guidelines in the development or evaluation of products

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to analyze a given product's user interface and improve this based on the knowledge of a person or user group
• be able create a list of requirements and take into account the usability and accessibility aspects for a diverse group of users
• be able to develop a prototype that is suitable for a specific user profile or which has a focus on universal design
• give a brief oral presentation of the prototype and its use
• be able to describe the prototype in an accessible way on a poster and in a handout

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to articulate the values that lie in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms, with or without technical or human assistance
• be able to describe the goal of designing products and services so they are aesthetic and usable for as many people as possible regardless of age and abilities
• to take into account that people are different with a large individual variation
• be able to express that there is a positive challenge to try to create solutions that increase an individual's independence and quality of life

Contents

In this course, you will meet people who have a disability and who talk about their technology use in everyday situations. You will carry out empathic modeling exercises where impairments are simulated and analyze how various products meet design criteria aimed at creating products for a diverse audience (Universal Design, Design for All, Inclusive Design). You will also train your ability to solve engineering problems in a human-oriented design project where the result is either a universally designed product or a tool designed to solve a specific problem. Specific exercises and tasks are interspersed with theory and opportunities for discussion.

Examples of research projects in rehabilitation engineering research are presented.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH
Assessment: The assessment will be based on individual and group work. A grade of 3 will be given to students who pass individual compulsory assignments, the take-home exam and project work.

Admission

Admission requirements:

• At least 90 credits awarded or credited within the Master of Science programme

The number of participants is limited to: 35
Selection: Credits remaining for degree completion according to Ladok June 17th.
The course might be cancelled: If the number of applicants is less than 16.
The course overlaps following course/s: TNS120, TNX096

Reading list

• Jönsson, B (ed.): Design Side by Side. Studentlitteratur 2006. ISBN:978-91-44-01936-9. The book can also be downloaded from http://www.arkiv.certec.lth.se/doc/designsidebyside .
• Arne Svensk: Design av kognitiv assistans, Licentiatuppsats från Certec, LTH. Nummer 1:2001. 2001, ISBN: 91-631-0782-1.
• Internet links.
• Handed-out material about the seven principles of universal design.

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Håkan Neveryd, universitetsadjunkt, tekn lic, hakan.neveryd@certec.lth.se
Examinator: Håkan Neveryd, universitetsadjunkt, tekn lic, hakan.neveryd@certec.lth.se
Teacher: Bitte Rydeman, fil dr, bitte.rydeman@certec.lth.se
Teacher: Kirsten Rassmus Gröhn, universitetslektor, tekn dr, kirre@certec.lth.se
Teacher: Björn Breidegard, universitetslektor, tekn dr, bjorn@certec.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.certec.lth.se/english/education/