Canadian Research & Development Groups and Referral Centres

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The present list is not exhaustive. Current or supplementary data can be sent via electronic mail to: adio@crc.ca or by fax at: (613) 998-5923.

ABILITY SOCIETY OF ALBERTA ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Suite 600
906 8th Ave SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 1H9
Tel: (403) 262-9445
Fax: (403) 262-4539
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: info@abilitysociety.org
URL: www.abilitysociety.org
Contact: Jamie Bohach, Director of Marketing & Fund Development

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

ADAPTECH PROJECT

Dawson College
3040 Sherbrooke West
Montreal, Quebec
H3Z 1A4
Tel: (514) 931-8731 Ext. 1546 (voice)
Fax: (514) 931-3567
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: adaptech@dawsoncollege.qc.ca
URL: www.adaptech.org
Contact: Catherine S. Fichten, Ph.D., Psychology Dept. Dawson College

Organizational Notes:  The Adaptech Project consists of a team of academics, students and consumers. We conduct research on the use of computer, information, and adaptive technologies by Canadian college and university students with disabilities. We are based at Dawson College and are funded by both federal and provincial grants. Our work is guided by an active and enthusiastic cross-Canada bilingual Advisory Board.
Research Interests:  Our goal is to provide empirically based information to assist in decision making that ensures that new policies, software and hardware reflect the needs and concerns of a variety of individuals: college and university students with disabilities, professors who teach them, and service providers who make technological, adaptive, and other supports available to the higher education community.
Publications and Services:  see the following section of our web page: http://www.adaptech.org/adpubs.htm

ADAPTIVE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Environment Canada
Information Management - Information Technology Directorate
10 Wellington Street
2nd Floor, Room 249A
Hull, Québec
K1A 0H3
Tel: (819) 994-4835
Fax: (819) 953-5995
TTY: (819) 956-5142
Toll Free:
E-mail: ecact@ec.gc.ca
URL: www.ec.gc.ca/act-tia
Contact: Jeff Stark

Organizational Notes:  Our Adaptive Computer Technology Program is really separated into three business lines...
* Client Services - ACT Centre - We provide accomodations to our department and other Government departments (on a cost recovery basis)
* Training - ACT Centre - We operate a training facility with a variety of accessibility related programs going on year-round.
* Accessibility Testing - ACT Testing Lab - We have a lab set up where webmasters and applications developers can come in and test for accessibility during their development cycle.
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services:  Pamplets available on-line.

ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE CENTRE

130 St. George Street
4th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 3H1
Tel: (416) 978-5240
Fax: (416) 971-2629
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: jutta.treviranus@utoronto.ca
URL: www.utoronto.ca/atrc
Contact: Jutta Treviranus, Manager CAT, ATRC

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

A LEGAL RESOURCE CENTRE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

425 Bloor St. East
Suite 110
Toronto, Ontario
M4W 3R5
Tel.: (416) 482-8255
Fax: (416) 482-2981 or 866-881-2723
TTY: (416) 482-1254 or 866-482-2728
Toll Free:866-482-2724
E-mail: archgen@lao.on.ca
URL: www.archlegalclinic.ca
Contact:

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

ALBERTA CONSORTIUM FOR REHABILITATIVE AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (ACRAT)

Assistive Device Service, I CAN Centre
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, CHA
10230 - 111 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5G 0B7
Tel: (780) 491-6071
Fax: (780) 491-6072
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: cbelivea@cha.ab.ca
URL: http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/ACRAT/
Contact: Christine Beliveau, Coordinator

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

ALDS INC

ALDS Inc./Mitroflow International Inc.
4611 No. 6 Road, Unit #220
Richmond, British Columbia
V6V 2L3
Tel.: (604) 244-0269 (Voice/TTY)
Fax: (604) 224-0024
TTY: (604) 244-0269 (Voice/TTY)
Toll Free:
E-mail: kstead@alds.com
URL: www.alds.com
Contacts: Paul Geyer, President; Steve Unger, Engineer; Katherine Stead

Organizational Notes:  Number of R&D employees: 5; number of employees: 10.

Research Interests:  ALDS Inc. develops and manufactures products for the deaf and hard of hearing, with sales in both Canada and the U.S. The main R&D emphasis of the company is in the areas of infrared technology and computer hardware and software for the deaf and hard of hearing. It has three different product lines: amplification systems utilizing infrared light as the transmission medium for use by hard of hearing persons; portable computerized note taking systems, in which computerized text is converted and displayed on a T.V. screen or on a projection system; and training and testing equipment for tele-coil compatible hearing aids and loop systems.

Publications and Services:  ALDS sponsors graduate, undergraduate and college level projects.

APPLIED AI SYSTEMS, INC.

3232 Carp Road
Carp, Ontario
K0A 1L0
Tel.: (613) 839-6161
Fax: (613) 839-6616
TTY:
Toll Free: 800-895-1122
E-mail: griffith@AAI.ca
URL: www.AAI.ca
Contact: Ann Griffith, Vice President Operations

Organizational Notes:  Applied AI Systems was incorporated in 1983 as a company dedicated to R&D in applied AI with 15 people. In addition, services include custom system development, training, sale of intelligent robots and voice recognition products and customer support.

Research Interests:  Intelligent mobile robots using the behaviour-based approach. Emphasis is on the development of robots that can operate in real time, dynamic, unstructured real world situations, intelligent wheelchairs and arm to assist in patient transfer.

Publications and Services: 

• Gomi, T., "Subsumption Robots and the Application of Intelligent Robots to the Service Industry", in house report.
• Gomi, T., "The TAO Project: Intelligent Wheelchairs for the Handicapped", AAAI Fall Symposium, Boston, MA, September 1996.
• Gomi, T. and Griffith, A., "Biorobots For Real World Applications", presented at Workshop on Biologically Inspired Autonomous Systems, Duke University, March 1996.
• Gomi, T. and Ide, K., " The Development of an Intelligent Wheelchair", Intelligent Vehicles, Tokyo, Japan, September 1996.

AROGA TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED

1611 Welch Street
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7P 3G9
Tel: (604) 986-7999
Fax: (604) 986-7070
TTY:
Toll Free: 800-561-6222
E-mail: bob@aroga.com
URL:
Contact: Robert Vigerut

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

ASSISTIVE DEVICE SERVICE

I CAN Centre
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Capital Health
10230-111 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5G 0B7
Tel: (780)491-6070
Fax: (780)491-6072
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: cbelivea@cha.ab.ca
URL: www.capitalhealth.ca/icancentre
Contact: Christine Beliveau

Organizational Notes:  Assistive technology services are provided to children and adults in Northern Alberta.
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services:  Newsletter ADSTechTalk is published quarterly and available on-line.
Direct Services - Extended assessment and intervention provided by multidisciplinary team to clients in Northern Alberta. Services provided in person or via TeleHealth. Large equipment pool available for loaning purposes.
Indirect Services - resource area available, monthly drop in demonstration sessions hosted in I Can Centre, and extensive educational programs available. Educational activities described in Calendar, available on-line.

ASSISTIVE DEVICES PROGRAMME

Ontario Ministry of Health
5700 Yonge Street
7th Floor
North York, Ontario
M2M 4K5
Tel: (416) 327-8919
Fax:
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: Linda.Hunter@moh.gov.on.ca
URL:
Contact: Linda Hunter

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND SEATING SERVICE

G.F. Strong Rehab Centre
Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre
4255 Laurel Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5Z 2G9
Tel: (604) 734-6263
Fax: (604) 734-1363
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: jriley@vanhosp.bc.ca
URL: www.assistive-technology.ca & www.gfsrehab.org
Contact: Jeff Riley, Coordinator

Organizational Notes:  Affiliation: University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Rehabilitation Society (fund raising support)
Full-time R&D employees: 0
Total employees:  800

Research Interests: G.F. Strong Rehab Centre is a major provider of rehabilitation services in BC. Clinical programs of G.F. Strong Rehab Centre include: Acquired Brain Injury; Spinal Cord Injury; Neuromuscular-skeletal, Arthritis, Adolescent and Young Adults; Residential Living; Specialized Clinical Support Services; Clinical Research and Academic Medicine; and a variety of community outreach services. Clinical research activities are in progress in all programs of G.F. Strong, with research in assistive technology focusing on long-term outcomes and applications of augmentative communication. Student placements occur in all professional disciplines throughout the various programs. In addition, specific courses and workshops are routinely offered to community professionals, long-term care aides, families and consumers. G.F. Strong regularly co-sponsors major conferences on brain injury, emergency preparedness and ventilation.

Publications and Services:  G.F. Strong Rehab Centre offers a variety of educational publications and videotapes. A complete listing is available upon request.

AVAAZ INNOVATIONS INC

1225 Wonderland Road North
P.O. Box 8040
London, Ontario
N6G 2B0
Tel.: (519) 472-7944
Fax: (519) 472-7814
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: info1@avaaz.com
URL: www.avaaz.com
Contact: Dr. V. Parsa , Director of R&D

Organizational Notes:  Avaaz Innovations develops spoken language technologies for clinical, research and educational applications. Our products are used in more than 50 countries.

Research Interests:  We support research and clinical applications involving spoken language technology. Our in-house and collaborative R&D is directed to developing and evaluating advanced techniques in Avaaz products, and applying them to assist researchers, clinicians and consumers.
Our research products include:

1. TFR (TM), a comprehensive package for speech sampling, editing, spectral analysis, pitch tracking and processing, including digital filtering and other acoustic modification of speech
2. ECOS/Win (TM), a comprehensive package for generating, controlling and scoring listening tests
3. IVANS, a system for comprehensive analysis of vocal function
4. EG2, a software system for the analysis of the glottal waveform.

Our other leading clinical products include: 

1. PROTRAIN (TM), a system to improve articulation through provision of real- time feedback based on spectral and other analyses of a client's spoken language;
2. Listen-Hear (TM), training software to help children who wear hearing aids, or have a cochlear implant to acquire a spoken language;
3. SAILS (TM), training software to help children who have a phonological disorder improve their speech comprehension and articulation skills;
4. AphasiaMate (TM), rehabilitation software for adults with language and related cognitive difficulties consequent to stroke or other head injury; and
5. our Oro/Nasal mask and software system, which accurately measures oral and nasal energy produced during speech and provides real-time visual feedback to improve velar control. IVANS (TM) and EG2 also have extensive clinical application.

Publications and Services:

BIOLINK COMPUTER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Suite 305-140 West 15th Street
North Vancouver, British Columbia
V7M 1R6
Tel.: (604) 984-4099
Fax: (604) 985-8493
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: sales@biolink.bc.ca
URL: www.biolink.bc.ca
Contact: H. Albert Melissen, President

Organizational Notes:  2 Full time employees.

Research Interests:  The company is involved in developing software for the visually impaired and those with Dyslexia in the following environments: Windows 98, ME, Windows 2000 and .x Windows. Products for both are being marketed worldwide. Furthermore we provide in house screen reading compatible programming services.

Publications and Services: 

BLISSYMBOLICS COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL

1630 Lawrence Avenue West
Suite 104
Toronto, Ontario
M6L 1C5
Tel.: (416) 242-9114
Fax: (416) 244-6543
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL:
Contact: Katherine Seybold

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

BLOORVIEW MACMILLAN CHILDREN'S CENTRE

350 Rumsey Road
Toronto, Ontario
M4G 1R8
Tel.: (416) 425-6220 (ext. 3310)
Fax: (416) 425-1634
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: info@bloorviewmacmillan.on.ca
URL:
Contact: Pamela Kearns

Organizational Notes:  A wide range of R&D activities are conducted at the Centre including broad aspects of rehabilitation technology, prosthetics and orthotics, augmentative communication, clinical rehabilitation practice, psycho-social issues, family issues, special education, recreation, and evaluation. Dr. Morris Milner is director of the Ontario Rehabilitation Technology Consortium (ORTC), headquartered at the Centre. Bloorview MacMillan Centre has approximately 600 full-time employees and approximately 30 full-time R&D employees. (The ORTC is described in a separate entry to this list.)

Research Interests:  Research and development activities in information technology based at the Bloorview MacMillan Centre include:

1. Comprehensive computer access systems for people with physical disabilities including support for imprecise and multi-modal input; a number of Windows-based software products are now commercially available;
2. Computer-based augmentative communication systems;
3. Computer-based environmental control utilizing computer access software mentioned above;
4. Specialized hardware/electronic input devices for control of computers, powered mobility systems, communication devices and environmental control units;
5. Evaluation of robotic systems for user independence;
6. Collaborative research between consumers with disabilities, researchers, professionals, and representatives from major industries.

Publications and Services:  Research results are published in reports and articles in Journals including Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Journal of Physical Medicine, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, Journal of Neurological Rehabilitation, IEEE Transactions on Rehabilitation Engineering, Assistive Technology, Journal of Biomedical Engineering, International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, Physical and Occupational Therapy in Paediatrics, Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, and Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics.

Engineering services are available on a fee-for-service basis in conjunction with agencies including rehabilitation and vocational consultants/services, rehabilitation centres, industry, governments (municipal, provincial, and federal), and educational institutions. Professionals provide technical expertise for a range of integrated technology systems in assessments, equipment recommendations, system design, development and construction, device training and follow-up.

BRAILLE JYMICO INC.

4545 1re Avenue
Charlesbourg, Quebec
G1H 2S8
Tel: (418) 624-2105
Fax: (418) 624-0994
TTY:
Toll Free: 877-BRAILLE (272-4553)
E-mail: jcote@braillejymico.com
URL: www.braillejymico.com
Contact: Jacques Côté, President

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
AN INDEPENDENT LEARNING CENTRE INC.

275 First Street, Unit 9
Collingwood, Ontario
L9Y 1A8
Tel.: (705) 445-1543
Fax: (705) 445-1656
TTY: (705) 445-1658
Toll Free:
E-mail: bdb@georgian.net
URL: www.breakingdownbarriers.org
Contact: Devon Wilkins

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

BRIDGES

450 Matheson Blvd. East, Unit 67
Mississauga, Ontario
L4Z 1R5
Tel.: (905) 568-9977
Fax: (905) 568-9925
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: info@betacom.com
URL:
Contact:

Organizational Notes:  A division of The Betacom Corporation, BRIDGES distributes products and provides a range of services for people with special needs and the people who support them. Persons with communication disorders, cognitive processing difficulties and persons in need of computer access adaptations such as voice input.

Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

BRYTECH INC.

600 Peter Morand Crescent
Suite 240
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 5Z3
Tel.: (613) 731-5800
Fax: (613) 731-5812
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: inquiries@brytech.com
URL: www.brytech.com
Contact: Earl Bryenton & L. Hodge

Organizational Notes:  Brytech Inc. is an ISO 9001 registered company with experience in the design, development and manfacturing of innovative products. Our portfolio of products for domestic and export markets include the Canadian Bank Note Reader (C.N.R.), Note Teller 2 (N.T.2) for the United States and Universal Bank Note Reader (U.B.R.), talking currency readers for the visually impaired. Color Teller, talking color identifier to enable visually impaired and blind people identify the color of material and objects.
Research Interests:  Healthcare
Publications and Services: 

CAMBRIAN COLLEGE

The Glenn Crombie Centre for Disability Services
Room 2517A
1400 Barrydowne Road
Sudbury, Ontario
P3A 3V8
Tel: (705) 566-8101 ext. 7219
Fax: (705) 566-5452
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: mrmcintosh@cambrianc.on.ca
URL: http://homepages.cambrianc.on.ca/pathways
Contact:

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

CANADIAN ABILITIES FOUNDATION

#501 - 489 College Street
Toronto, Ontario
M6G 1A5
Tel.: (416) 923-1885
Fax: (416) 923-9829
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: lisa@abilities.ca
URL: www.abilities.ca
Contact: Lisa Bendall, Managing Editor

Organizational Notes:  We offer a great deal of disability-related resource material in a "self-serve" format - through our magazine, "Abilities", through our website, Enablelink, and through some publications such as the directory of Disability Organizations in Canada.

Research Interests: 

Publications and Services:  "Abilities" magazine.

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTRES

1104-170 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5V5
Tel.: (613) 563-2581
Fax: (613) 563-3861
TTY: (613) 563-4215
Toll Free:
E-mail: cailc@magma.ca
URL: www.cailc.ca
Contact: Traci Walters, National Director

Organizational Notes:  CAILC is an umbrella organization of 22 local and autonomous Independent Living Resource Centres (ILRCs). Each ILRC is community-based and controlled by persons with disabilities. CAILC's central role is providing support and resources to its members; promoting the development of ILRCs; articulating the independent living philosophy; providing organizational assistance, training, implementation of programs; acting as liaison between ILRCs and government.

Research Interests:  Advocates the use of participatory research methodologies and models in all medical and social science research; advocates for the full participation of persons with disabilities and their organizations in the design, implementation and reporting of research studies related to persons with disabilities. Undertaken research in the areas of persons with disabilities and: family violence, literacy, youth violence, multiculturalism and seniors.

Publications and Services: 

• Step Toward Independent Living - How to Develop an Independent Living Resource Centre in Your Community 1993
• Independent Living Centres in Ontario - More Than Just Another Human Service 1992
• Independent Living:  An Agenda for the >90s 1994
• Description of the Core Programs of Independent Living Centres 1992
• The Canadian Independent Living Movement:  An Historical Overview1994
• A Vision for Independent Living in the 90's - A Summary of Proceedings 1990
• A Guide to Independent Living Centres 1990
• Towards Independent Living in Canada 1990
• Eligibility Criteria for CAILC Membership Independent Living Promotion Kit 1989
• A Community Handbook on Developing a Literacy and Disability Awareness Training Program 1994
• Choice, Flexibility and Control in Community Research:  A Guidebook 1994
• Responding to Abuse: An Independent Living Approach 1995
• Prevention of Abuse Against Elderly Citizens with Disabilities 1995
• Youth Speak Up! Youth Speak Out! - Report 1995
• Youth Speak Up! Youth Speak Out! - Booklet 1995

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF

203-251 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 1X3
Tel.: (613) 565-2882
Fax: (613) 565-1207
TTY: (613) 565-8882
Toll Free:
E-mail: cad@cad.ca
URL: www.cad.ca
Contact: James Roots, Executive Director

Organizational Notes:  Deaf-related subjects: technology, education, rights, children, seniors, ect.
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services:  Individuals membership (20$), List of Publications (prices vary between 15$ to 30$)

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS (CARP)

201 Consumers Road
Suite 302
Toronto, Ontario
M2J 4G8
Tel.: (416) 494-4700
Fax: (416) 494-9139
TTY:
Toll Free: 888-876-9992
E-mail: judy@carpnational.org
URL: www.carpnational.org
Contact: Judy Marshall, Executive Director

Organizational Notes:  CARP is a national professional association representing over 2,900 rehabilitation professionals across Canada and, in a smaller number, in the United States and abroad. CARP's mandate is to provide resources to members to maximize their effectiveness and increase the understanding of the significant role rehabilitation professional fill in Canadian society. Its mission is to support members in promoting and providing the professional delivery of rehabilitation services.
Rehabilitation professionals work with persons with disabilities and disadvantages and their families to provide services and supports such as assessment, affective/adjustment counselling, vocational counselling case management and job placement services. Rehabilitation professionals facilitate, manage and implement individual rehabilitation plans to ensure effective vocational and avocational outcomes in the most integrated setting possible. Members are employed as rehabilitation counsellors and consultants, vocational counsellors and consultants, case managers, vocational evaluators, and job placement specialists. Members also work in medical rehabilitation and include rehabilitation nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, kinesiologists, psychologists, medical doctors and other medical specialists.
CARP National is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors. To ensure a national perspective and ongoing communication, the presidents of the societies(or region) or other appointed professional members serve on the National Board. Association members elect one professional member from each jurisdiction to serve as a national director. Ex-officio members may be appointed at the Board's discretion.
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

CANADIAN COUNCIL ON REHABILITATION AND WORK

500 University Avenue
Suite 302
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1V7
Tel.: (416) 260-3060
Fax: (416) 260-3093
TTY: (416) 260-9923
Toll Free: 800-664-0925
E-mail: info@ccrw.org
Contact: Carole J. Barron, Executive Director

Organizational Notes:  The National Office of the CCRW is located in Toronto, Ontario with an Eastern Regional Office, serving the Atlantic Provinces, opening December 2, 2002 in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The CCRW is committed to innovation, change and the removal of societal barriers by creating an expanding network of partnerships with government, labour and business, and community agencies; providing job accommodation services and work preparation opportunities that lead to guaranteed employment; and, distributing current information relating to the employment of persons with disabilities through workshops, publications and on-line resources.
Research Description:  CCRW is a national, non-profit organization promoting and supporting the meaningful and equitable employment of people with disabilities.
Publications and Services:  The CCRW has produced numerous documents and publications regarding the employment of people with disabilities. These publications are available by contacting the National Office.
CORE Programs and Services: ( Please note the following are intellectual property of the CCRW)
JAS (Job Accommodation Service): Developing individualized job accommodation solutions for employees. This assessment service is offered to employers on a fee-for-service basis.,
WORKink (www.workink.com): A virtual employment resource centre that promotes and supports the employment of work seekers with disabilities.
STP (Skills Training Partnerships): Preparing work seekers with disabilities for guaranteed employment with an employer partner.
Other Programs and Services:
Workshops: Our workshops focus on the employment of people with disabilities( e.g. sensitivity training).
Children's literature: Storybooks that help children develop a positive awareness of disability.
Consultation: This service regarding the employment of people with disabilities is offered on a fee-for-service basis.

CANADIAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND

396 Cooper Street
Suite 401
Ottawa Ontario
K2P 2H7
Tel.: (613) 567-0311
Fax: (613) 567-2728
TTY:
Toll Free: 877-304-0968
E-mail: ccb@ccbnational.net
URL: www.ccbnational.net
Contact:

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

CANADIAN DEAFNESS RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

2300 René-Lévesque West
Suite 237
Montreal, Québec
H3H 2R5
Tel.: (514) 937-2191
Fax: (514) 937-2284
E-mail:
URL:
Contact: J. C. MacDougall, President

Organizational Notes:  CDRTI is a federally incorporated non-profit organization. CDRTI was founded in 1988 to meet research and training needs in the field of deafness, both on a national and international basis. CDRTI and McGill University have signed a long term agreement to cooperate in the establishment and operation of research and training programs related to deafness. The organization is run by a volunteer board of directors and a part time administrator.

Research Interests:  Promotion of pure and applied research; literacy and deafness; employment and deafness; technology and deafness (closed captioning, TDD/TTY, computer), studies and policy development.

Publications and Services:  Various reports and publications (Canadian Journal of Psychology); development of collaborative research-partnerships; development of seminars, colloquia; development of graduate student support.

CANADIAN HARD OF HEARING ASSOCIATION

2435 Holly Lane
Suite 205
Ottawa, Ontario
K1V 7P2
Tel.: (613) 526-1584
Fax: (613) 526-4718
TTY: (613) 526-2692
Toll Free: 800-263-8068
E-mail: chhanational@chha.ca or jmcnamara@chha.ca
URL: www.chha.ca
Contact: Janice McNamara, Executive Director

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

CANADIAN HEARING SOCIETY

271 Spadina Road
Toronto Ontario
M5R 2V3
Tel.: (416) 928-2507
Fax: (416) 928-2506
TTY: (416) 964-0023
Toll Free:
E-mail: kduffin@chs.ca
URL: www.chs.ca
Contact: Kelly Duffin, President & CEO

Organizational Notes:  Provides a wide range of direct health care and social services that promote independence of deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people. Also provides programs that encourage the prevention of hearing loss among the general public.
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services:  Vibes, The Canadian Hearing Society's Quarterly Magazine.

• Audiology and speech language pathology
• Hearing Help classes
• Employment services
• General counselling services
• Hearing Care counselling to seniors
• Mental health counselling
• Marketing communications
• Literacy and life skills
• Sign Language instruction
• Educational support services
• Interpreting services
• Hearing aid dispensing
• Technical devices sales

CANADIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND

1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto Ontario
M4G 3E8
Tel.: (416) 486-2500
Fax: (416) 480-7677
TTY: (416) 480-8645
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL: www.cnib.ca
Contact:

Organizational Notes:  CNIB is a charity dedicated to serving the needs of Canadians who are blind, deafblind and visually impaired. It is the largest and the only national organization in Canada to provide such services, which include rehabilitation, access technology, and the largest talking books library in Canada.
Research Interests:  Through active participation in national and international organisations, and through focused donations, CNIB fosters and encourages research into the prevention and amelioration of the effects of blindness and visual impairment, and the development of new technologies that allow clients to participate fully in all life experiences.
Publications and Services:  The CNIB provides 7 core services of rehabilitation and information, including talking books, orientation and mobility instruction, special services for children, and employment counseling and assistance. The CNIB also publishes many publications on all aspects of vision loss.

CANADIAN PARAPLEGIC ASSOCIATION

1101 Prince of Wales Drive
Suite 230
Ottawa, Ontario
K2C 3W7
Tel.: (613) 723-1033
Fax: (613) 723-1060 TTY:
Toll Free: 800-720-4933
E-mail: cpanational@canparaplegic.org
URL: www.canparaplegic.org
Contact: Valerie Ravary, CEO - vravary@canparaplegic.org

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

COMPUSULT LIMITED

40 Bannister Street
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland
A1N 1W1
Tel.: (709) 745-7914
Fax: (709) 745-7927
TTY:
Toll Free: 888-307-7707
E-mail: hear-it@compusult.nf.ca
URL: www.hear-it.com
Contact: Paul T. Mitten, Vice-President

Organizational Notes:  Compusult Limited was formed in 1985 as a computer consulting firm to provide computer consulting, programming and integration services to government, business, technical and scientific sectors. Compusult's complete solutions also include many advanced products incorporating speech technologies specifically designed for the visually impaired and for systems monitoring.

To develop international business opportunities, the firm has established affiliations in other parts of Canada, Finland, Iceland, Germany, Norway, the United States and the United Kingdom. Compusult is pursuing agreements for hardware, software, process and technology rights and is interested in marketing partnerships throughout North America and Europe.

Affiliation: Private corporation. Full-time R&D employees: 4; total number of employees: 34.

Research Interests:  Compusult carries out R&D activities in several areas with respect to assistive technology for persons with disabilities, with an emphasis on workplace adaptation and accommodation. The company developed ScanTELL, the Talking bar Code Reader with the assistance of Industry Canada and has developed several other products that provide access to telephone consoles, web sites, databases and broadcast and spoken information. The company continues evaluating and investigating various applications of bar code scanning, imaging, optical detectors, speech synthesis and speech recognition which it is hoped will lead to new products for persons with disabilities.

Publications and Services:  newsletter

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

Department of Computer Science
1455 de Maisonneuve West
LB 901
Montreal, Quebec
H3G 1M8
Tel.: (514) 848-3000
Fax: (514) 848-2830
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: krishnan@cs.concordia.ca
URL:
Contact: Dr. T. Radhakrishnan, Professor

Organizational Notes:  Affiliation: Concordia University, Computer Science Department. About 30 full time professors engaged in research. Two of them are directly interested in research areas relevant to the physically handicapped: Dr. T. Radhakrishnan and Dr. C. Y. Suen. The Chairman of the Department is Professor G. Martin.

Research Interests: 

1. Speech based software and hardware systems to assist the visually handicapped and the learning disabled. Research is focused on User Interface aspects and in providing seamless interaction with displayed objects;
2. Braille display (soft Braille) and the design of affordable personal braille embossers based on the microprocessor technology;
3. Time-sharing a single (set of) system for simultaneous use in classroom teaching for visually handicapped children in developing countries. This is in the direction of technology transfer;
4. Application of AI techniques and knowledge based systems approaches to present multimedia documents to the visually handicapped;
5. Interaction aids for the motor handicapped using speech recognizers and dialogue controllers;
6. Concordia has set up a Centre for the Services of Disabled Students which has all the modern equipment and offers some (non-credit) training courses. It also employs some physically disabled individuals. Director, Leo Bissonette.

Publications and Services:  Group publishes in IEEE Micros, International Journal of Man Machine Studies, Annual Conferences held in Vienna and California. Group also presents in the workshops held in Quebec from time to time. Services: Centre for the Services of the Disabled Students. Group invites people for seminars and has training courses for the visually handicapped.

COUNCIL OF CANADIANS WITH DISABILITIES

294 Portage Avenue
Suite 926
Winnipeg Manitoba
R3C 0B9
Tel.: (204) 947-0303
Fax: (204) 942-4625
TTY:
Toll Free: 866-947-0303
E-mail: ccd@ccdonline.ca
URL: www.ccdonline.ca
Contact: Laurie Beachell, Executive Director

Organizational Notes:  CCD is a national advocacy association of persons with disabilities which seeks to improve the status of Canadians with disabilities. CCD monitors federal legislation, policy and programs as they affect persons with disabilities.
Research Interests:  Disability rights and broad social policy issues.
Publications and Services:  Visit our website: www.ccdonline.ca

DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING SERVICES

63 Cornell Road NW
Calgary, Alberta
T2L 0L4
Tel: (403) 284-6214
Fax: (403) 282-7006
TTY: (403) 284-6201
Toll Free: 877-711-3447
E-mail: equipment@dhhs.org
URL: www.dhhs.org
Contact: Mike Keeping, Equipment Specialist

Organizational Notes:  Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is a registered, non-profit charity serving all who are affected by hearing loss. community.The Equipment department serves as a source for current assistive technology used for home, work, educational institutions, leisure activities and places of worship. Some rental items are available. Consultation services and corporate staff training on TTY (Telephone for the Deaf) use and hearing access issues in general, are available. All sales and rental revenues from the Equipment Department are used to support other vital services and programs offered by Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services to the deaf and hard of hearing communities.
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

DECADE TRANSMITTERS INC.

3232 Rue Richard
Sherbrooke, Québec
J1L 1Y2
Tel: (819) 563-4323
Fax: (819) 563-3244
TTY:
Toll Free: 888-428-4323
E-mail: info@decade.ca
URL: www.decade.ca
Contact:

Organizational Notes:  Number of employees in R&D: 2. Total number of employees: 4.

Research Interests:  Décade specializes in the development and manufacture of high-fidelity low-power FM transmitters for use in sound applications, aids for the hearing impaired, and information uses of all types.

Publications and Services:  Decade Transmitters Inc.

DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE

University of British Columbia
1860 East Mall, Room 1874
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6T 1Z1
Tel: (604) 822-5844
Fax: (604) 822-6655
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL:
Contact:

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests:  All areas of access to post-secondary education by persons with disabilities.
Publications and Services: 

DISABLED PEOPLES INTERNATIONAL (DPI)

748 Broadway
Winnipeg Manitoba
R3G 0X3
Tel.: (204) 287-8010
Fax: (204) 783-6270
TTY: (204) 284-2598
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL: www.dpi.org
Contact: Moira Horgan-Jones, Executive Director

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

EASTER SEAL SOCIETY

1185 Eglinton Avenue East
Suite 706
North York, Ontario
M3C 3C6
Tel.: (416) 421-8377
Fax: (416) 696-1035
TTY:
Toll Free: 800-668-6252
E-mail: rmorayniss@easterseals.org
URL:
Contact: Ruth Morayniss, Manager, Communications

Organizational Notes:  The Easter Seal Society, Ontario is dedicated to helping children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities achieve their full individual potential and future independence. Easter Seals funds disability solutions through financial assistance, summer camp, the Recreational Choices funding program, research, advocacy and public and consumer education.
Research Interests: Fund research projects specifically related to children with physical disabilities.
Publications and Services:  "Advocate" newsletter for parents, volunteers and other organizations.

Programming in providing: 

• Financial assistance
• Parent programs
• Childrens' programs
• Camp
• Preschool
• Resource information
• Community outreach

ELECTROCONCEPT R.P. INC

262 Des Villas
St-Nicolas, Quebec
G7A 1C5
Tel: (418) 836-2354
Fax:
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: robert.plante@videotron.ca
URL:
Contact: Robert Plante, P. Eng., President and Head of R&D

Organizational Notes:  1 part-time researchers, one on contract, 1 administration and production employee. Assembly is contracted out.

Research Interests:  Products to assist the disabled and others, more particularly those involving microelectronics and/or synthetic speech. Projects:

1. "talking calculator" for visually impaired (scientific, business, statistics, English, French, Spanish, also simplified version);
2. support circuits to adapt screens for those with partial vision and others (video circuit) ;
3. dedicated computer for storage of data for internal data management, more specifically for phone line management;
4. various other support items.

Publications and Services:  Participation in student employment programs.

FONDS DE LA RECHERCHE EN SANTÉ DU QUÉBEC (FRSQ)

500 Sherbrooke St. West
Room 800
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 3C6
Tel.: (514) 873-2114
Fax: (514) 873-8768
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: courrier@frsq.gouv.qc.ca
URL: www.frsq.gouv.qc.ca
Contact: Dr. Michel A. Bureau, President and Director General

Organizational Notes:  Quebec funding body, reporting to Minister of Finance, Economy and Research. Its function is to promote and provide financial assistance to research, the training of researchers, and the dissemination of knowledge and partnership in the health field.
Research Interests:  To fulfil its mandate, the FRSQ offers numerous bursary and grant programs to students and members of the scientific community. Programs offered:

1. training bursaries
2. research fellowships
3. research infrastructure funding (Centres, Groups & Networks)
4. funding for research projects
5. joint programs with various partners.

Publications and Services: 

1. Bursary and grant programs
2. Annual Report
3. "Recherche en santé": a quarterly journal on current scientific projects and on FRSQ activities.
4. Website bulletins

GROUPE MICRO-INTEL INC

1200 Papineau
Suite 301
Montreal, Quebec
H2K 4R5
Tel: (514) 528-1905
Fax: (514) 528-1770
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: scarrier@micro-intel.com
URL: www.micro-intel.com
Contact: Serge Carrier, President

Organizational Notes:  Founded in 1986, its international award winning reputation on conceptualizing, designing and editing multimedia productions. Using our own authorware tool, Micro-Intel creates multi-lingual interactive multimedia (CD-ROMS, CD Extra, and Internet) in such diverse domains as training, business communication, health care, edutainment and education. Prisme is a tool to increase productivity. It is flexible and powerful allowing our design and instruction teams to concentrate on developing the content of the production rather than the programming necessary to execute it. With Prisme, we can develop interactive products faster and more efficiently. Prides itself in developing award winning products that accommodate the different client needs. 55 employees giving the power to attract and retain the premier talent from all over the world.
Research Interests:  Development of authorware tools, software engineering (development of tools for educational and training softwares), programming languages.
Publications and Services:  Creates and designs interactive multimedia productions for businesses, associations and government entities. Has the capability to create interactive productions on CD-ROMS using existing materials in paper and video format. Collaborates with clients to develop content and design interactive productions.

H.K. EYECAN LTD.

36 Burland Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2B 6J8
Tel: (613) 860-0333
Fax: (613) 596-4300
TTY:
Toll Free: 800-356-3362
E-mail: info@eyecan.ca
URL: www.eyecan.ca
Contact: David A. Kahn, Vice-President

Organizational Notes:  President: J Heynen, V.P., Corporate Affairs: G.L. Snuggs
Research Interests:  Eye-controlled computing, eye-directed communications.
Publications and Services:  Manufacturer of VisionKey, the eye-controlled computer keyboard and communications aid.

IDON EAST CORPORATION

280 Metcalfe Street
Suite 301
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 1R7
Tel.: (613) 233-3040
Fax: (613) 233-7088
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: hbown@idoneast.com
URL: www.idoneast.com
Contact: Herbert G. Bown, Chairman & CEO, Responsible for Research Activities

Organizational Notes:  Idon East is a privately owned Canadian corporation that specializes in eLearning, information technology and management. The company's focus is "to enhance the growth, effectiveness and lifelong learning needs of organizations and its workers through the design, development and delivery of Internet/corporate intranet collaborative distance education and training solutions." IDON EAST is a full service company offering courseware development, instructional design, software products, system applications and eLearning delivery and maintenance services.

IDON EAST concentrates on two core strategic areas of business. The first area is the development of software applications to facilitate eLearning. NewMediaMentor (TM) is an eLearning content creation tool for non-technical content experts. It is an ideal tool for people rich in ideas and knowledge but lacking the technical prowess to use sophisticated HTML editors. It allows them to publish their ideas to the Web with easy- to-use templates and wizards. TMWeb (TM) is an eLearning portal product that provides an online environment for the facilitation, management and administration of eLearning content and provides various collaborative features to enhance the learning experience. IDON EAST's second strategic area is the development of interactive new media content for eLearning via the Internet.

By leveraging the Internet, IDON EAST employs innovative business-to-business (B2B) methodologies and processes that provide an online collaborative environment for the entire eLearning development process. Regardless of the geographic location, stakeholders can be involved in the process from the initial design to the final development and implementation of eLearning solution.

The principals of IDON EAST have many years experience at senior level technical and management positions in both the public and private sector. IDON EAST employees are specialists in instructional design, courseware development, training consulting, software engineering and development, graphic design, and professional multimedia authoring. This is the foundation upon which IDON EAST has built its expertise in information technology, eLearning solution development, new media content and software development, and international product marketing/sales.

Research Interests:

Publications and Services: 

LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

323 Chapel Street
Suite 200
Ottawa Ontario
K1N 7Z2
Tel.: (613) 238-5721
Fax: (613) 235-5391
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: information@ldac-taac.ca or pauline@ldac-taac.ca
URL: www.ldac-taac.ca
Contact: Pauline Mantha, Executive Director

Organizational Notes:  Non-profit organization with affiliates in each province and territory and 75 chapters in communities across Canada. Membership of 10,000 including parents, educators, psychologists, lawyers, etc. and individuals with learning disabilities. Its mission is to advance the education, employment, social development, legal rights and general well-being of people with learning disabilities.
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services:  books, videos, audio cassettes: for literacy workers, employment counsellors, parents, adults with learning disabilities, teachers ect., on learning disabilities.
We provide input to various federal government departments on learning disabilities regarding programming and policies impacting individuals with learning disabilities.

MADENTEC LIMITED

4664, 99th Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T6E 5H5
Tel: (780) 450-8926
Fax: (780) 998-6182
TTY:
Toll Free: 877-623-3682
E-mail: randym@madentec.com
URL: www.madentec.com
Contact: Randy Marsden

Organizational Notes:  Sister company is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Research Interests:  Software and hardware that allow people with physical disabilities access to, and control of a computer, the internet, and their surroundings.
Publications and Services: 

McGILL UNIVERSITY

School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Beatty Hall
1266 Pine Avenue West
Montreal, Quebec
H3G 1A8
Tel.: (514) 398-4137
Fax: (514) 398-8123
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: SCSD@McGill.ca
URL:
Contact: Dr. Shari Baum, Director, research activities

Organizational Notes:  Full-time R&D employees: 8; employees in total:16.

Research Interests:  Faculty research interests include the study of normal and disordered speech, language and hearing processes in children and adults, and the clinical applications of that knowledge to assessment and intervention.

Publications and Services:  Journal articles appear in the following (among others): Aphasiology Cortex, Journal of Speech Language Pathology & Audiology, Topics in Language Disorders, Journal of Memory and Language, Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, Brain & Language, Journal of Phonetics, Journal of Speech & Hearing Research, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. Degrees offered are M.Sc. (AA), M.Sc., and Ph.D.
Brain and Cognition.
Developmental Psychology.

MONTREAL REHABILITATION INSTITUTE

6300 Darlington Avenue
Montréal, Québec
H3S 2J4
Tel: (514) 340-2079
Fax: (514) 340-2149
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL:
Contact: Denise Mauger-Côté

Organizational Notes:  Hospital, affiliated with Université de Montréal. Number of researchers: 10 regular researchers, 11 associate researchers, 2 engineers, 2 technicians, 2 secretaries, 10 research assistants, 28 graduate students.

Research Interests:  Basic Research. This program addresses :

1. control of variables underlying mono-articular movement
2. control and co-ordination of multi-articular movement
3. modelling of parameters involved in simple and complex movements in humans.

Clinical research:  Research on stroke victims is carried out in the following areas: 

1. muscular compensation mechanisms in simple movements and in walking
2. assessing the ability of hemiplegic subjects to decrease the extent of upper limb synkinesis using a polyarticular dynamometer they have developed
3. assessing the integrity of reflex paths (propriospinal) in this population, estimating the impact of this level of integrity on potential for rehabilitation
4. effects of physiotherapy treatment on the excitability threshold of the stretch reflex and on co-ordination when producing multi-articular movements and on the immediate effect of treatment on spasticity
5. the use of characteristics of the strength spectrum of the EMG in muscle assessment. In amputees, research is being conducted on the development of new sockets (using computers) with the possibility of improved pressure points. Market studies are also under way with a view to having a better assessment of the level of efficiency and independence this clientele can attain, and the effects of this on prosthesis use.

In people with spinal cord damage, research has two objectives:

1. to determine how much residual erectile capacity in this clientele is vascular and how much muscular and
2. to validate a sexual rehabilitation program for those with spinal cord injuries who are experiencing sexual difficulties. A new research program aimed at development of a valid functional evaluation of the ability of this population to return to work and the capacity for social reintegration will be developed. In those with skull and brain injuries, research is oriented toward a multi-centre validation study of the evaluation system developed in the past six years for this population; on the development of a functional assessment of working ability for multiple-trauma victims of motor vehicle accidents; on psychological and physical capabilities, lifestyles and environmental factors , taking into consideration:

1. not only adults, but also children and the elderly
2. not only head injuries, but also medullary/spinal cord injuries, poisonings, and to some extent cerebro-vascular accidents, and
3. not only prevention of disability (tertiary prevention) but also prevention of events and sources of injury (primary prevention) and prevention of the consequences of those events (secondary prevention).

Publications and Services:  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clinical Rehabilitation, Stroke, European Journal of Applied Physiology, Experimental Brain Research, Clinical Neurophysiology, Journal of Biomechanics, Journal of Hand Therapy, Journal of Physiology, Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology, Physiology & Behaviour, Revue canadienne d'ergothérapie, Revue canadienne de réadaptation, Annales de réadaptation et de médecine physique, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, Physical Therapy, Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. Training of graduate students at the Masters, Doctoral and Post-doctoral levels. Organization of seminars: Denis Gravel, Ph. D., Full Professor/Researcher, (514) 340-2078 extension 2408, (514) 343-5934.

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR AUDIOLOGY

The University of Western Ontario
Elborn College
London, Ontario
N6G 1H1
Tel.: (519) 661-3901
Fax: (519) 661-3805
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: jamieson@nca.uwo.ca
URL: www.uwo.ca/nca
Contact: Dr. Donald Gerald Jamieson, Director

Organizational Notes:  The National Centre for Audiology (NCA) was created in 1999, by The University of Western Ontario, with support from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund, and private donors. A comprehensive, research, teaching and clinical centre, the NCA focuses on the evaluation and the improvement of hearing health care services. The NCA's assistive technology projects include

1. the Desired Sensation Level (DSL) Method for selecting amplification characteristics for personal hearing aids
2. Listen-Hear, a software system for helping children who wear hearing aids or have a cochlear implant to develop spoken language
3. HATS, a novel hearing aid test and measurement system for use with modern DSP hearing aids; and
4. IVANS, a system for the analysis of vocal function and the diagnosis of voice disorders. Previous work in NCA labs also lead to the development of CSRE - a software system for speech sampling, editing, playback, measurement, analysis, synthesis, and testing using PCs which is used in more than 50 countries. NCA projects are undertaken in collaboration with specific industrial and clinical partners, to ensure that the technology developed is applied rapidly to the benefit of consumers. Three NCA researchers (D. Jamieson, R. Seewald and V. Parsa) are also members of the Hearing Team of ORTC, described in a separate entry. The focus of the ORTC Hearing Team is the development, evaluation and production of improved technologies to assist hard of hearing person communicate with others.

Research Interests: 

Publications and Services:  The NCA is Canada's largest and leading educational program for professional Audiologists. NCA faculty also participate in teaching programs for Speech-Language Pathologists, Otolaryngologists and others at The University of Western Ontario. Basic and applied research is conducted by NCA researchers and graduate student research work is supervised. The NCA provides advanced clinical hearing health care services to the public. Centre research is summarized in an Annual Report. Publications appear in a variety of journals including Canadian Acoustics, Ear & Hearing, the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, the Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and the Journal of Speech and Hearing Research. Research results are regularly presented by NCA researchers and students at major conferences.

NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DISABLED STUDENTS

Room 426, Unicentre
Carleton University
Ottawa Ontario
K1S 5B6
Tel.: (613) 526-8008
Fax: (613) 520-3704
TTY: (613) 526-8008
Toll Free:
E-mail: info@neads.ca
URL: www.neads.ca
Contact: Frank Smith, National Coordinator

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

NEIL SQUIRE FOUNDATION

Suite 220, 2250 Boundary Road
Burnaby, B.C.
V5M 4L9
Tel.: (604) 473-9363
Fax: (604) 473-9364
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL: www.neilsquire.ca
Contact: Gary Birch, Executive Director

Organizational Notes:  R&D employees: 4; Foundation: 37.

Research Interests:  To develop devices and systems that assist people with severe physical disabilities to live, learn, work and play self-dependently, focused on creating electronic and software control interfaces and systems for operating computers, electrical apparatus in the home and various other electrical devices; make these devices available to persons who need them. Products commercially available include: Regenesis Sip and Puff, a high reliability electronic sip and puff switch; ezMorse and ezMorse for Windows, Morse code keyboard emulators for DOS and Windows; the JouseTM, a mouth-operated joystick mouse emulator; Speech Assisted Reading And Writing (SARAW), an accessible software based literacy teaching tool. Current projects include: the Remote Gateway, two versions (hands free and hand-held) of a wireless, go-anywhere, remote control for household applications for persons with mobility problems; the Neil Squire Robot, a robotic device for physical tasks around the home and workplace; specialty holders for assistive controls. Associated development work and areas of interest include: EEG applications in control (brain-machine interface development), robust voice recognition technology, telephone accessibility, bank machine interface and kiosk design. Other work includes: developing a sip and puff control system for a sailboat owned by the Disabled Sailing Association of BC; designing and building an instrument package for the IML-2 Space Shuttle mission; designing and building a special effects police radar display for the film "Jumanjii".

Publications and Services:  Semi Annual Update Report. The R&D Group now also performs contract development services.

ONTARIO REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY CONSORTIUM

350 Rumsey Road
Toronto, Ontario
M4G 1R8
Tel.: (416) 425-6220
Fax.: (416) 425-1634
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: dlevine@bloorviewmacmillan.on.ca
URL: www.assistivex.com
Contact: Dayle Levine, Administrative and Technology Transfer Officer

Organizational Notes:  The ORTC consists of an Advisory Board, Management Committee, Research Teams and associated Advisory Panels, and infrastructural support which includes the Technology Transfer Unit and the Secretariat. Nine research teams have been established, at locations throughout Ontario. Membership in the Consortium includes staff from Queen's University, University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario, University of Waterloo, the Centre for Studies in Aging (Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto), The Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre (BMCC)and the West Park Hospital. Areas of disability addressed by the Consortium include communication, hearing, prosthetics and orthotics, psychosocial evaluation, respiration, seating and vision.

Research Interests:  The Communication Team is pursuing a comprehensive, computer-based system to enable non-speaking individuals to use commercially available computers for communication, school, work and play. Hearing activities have focused on research and development of devices, systems and measurement protocols which facilitate communication using speech and other acoustic signals. The Mobility Team is addressing the questions of home accessibility. The Prosthetics Team is developing new lower limb prosthetic components and upper limb electronic control systems. The Orthotics Team is exploring new materials to facilitate rapid fitting of braces, and rehabilitation applications for injectable electrical stimulation systems. The Psychosocial Evaluation Team consists of social scientists who support ORTC research teams in the areas of psychosocial evaluation and consumer research, and development of effective consumer-researcher collaboration in the ORTC. The Respiration Team has been working on the design of an improved valve and hose system for home ventilators, and the applying of new non-invasive technology for mechanical ventilation. The Seating Team is developing innovative positioning devices for young children with physical disabilities, with an accent on safe transportation. The Vision Team is involved in consumer-prompted research and development initiatives which are intended to overcome the significant barriers encountered by blind and visually impaired individuals, particularly with respect to accessing information.

Publications and Services:  ORTC research is summarized in its Annual Report. Publications appear in a variety of journals.

PARACHUTE - ACCESS BY DESIGN

819 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M4W 2G9
Tel: (416) 806-6122
Fax: (416) 482-1148
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: dropzone@parachutecentral.com
URL: www.parachutecentral.com
Contact: Gary Burton - President

Organizational Notes:  We are an interior design organization providing barrier-free, "universal design" solutions to the commercial, institutional, government and domestic sectors. Parachute is your resource centre for universally accepted design standards, accessible to all people.

Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

POSITRON PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.

5101 rue Buchan
Montréal, Québec
H4P 2R9
Tel.: (514) 345-2200
Fax: (514) 731-8662
TTY:
Toll Free: 800-443-3313
E-mail: info@positron911.com
URL: www.positron911.com
Contact: Guy Langlois, Vice-President Product Development

Organizational Notes: 

Research Interests:  Design, manufacture and market products and solutions for the Public Safety Industry.

Publications and Services: 

ROEHER INSTITUTE

York University, Kinsmen Building
4700 Keele Street
North York, Ontario
M3J 1P3
Tel.: (416) 661-9611 ext. 204
Fax: (416) 661-5701
TTY: (416) 661-2023
Toll Free: 800-856-2207
E-mail: info@roeher.ca
URL: www.roeher.ca
Contact: Roslyn Ward, Director, Information, Communication & Marketing

Organizational Notes:  Established in 1969. Non profit Institute, formerly known as the National Institute on Mental Retardation, is a national institute for education, information and the study of public policy affecting persons with disabilities. Researchers: 5; organization employees: 10.

Research Interests:  Institute's goals are

1. To examine and understand issues affecting persons with an intellectual disability and other disabilities
2. To act as a centre for the exchange of ideas and to encourage new ways of thinking about persons with disabilities
3. To provide insight into the social policy, programs, laws and other features of Canadian society that affect the capacity of people with disabilities to exercise their rights and fully participate in society. Activities include: research and public policy analysis; publishing; training, education and leadership development. Research is conducted with a major focus on public policy and funding, studies of innovative social programs and development of policy alternatives. Areas of interest include social security, employment, accommodation and housing, education, human rights, leisure and recreation, sexual and family abuse, legal and human rights, social well-being and biomedical ethics.

Publications and Services:  Institute's National Reference Service includes both film and reference libraries. The reference library collection includes more than 14,000 books and reports, and 100 journals. President: Cameron Crawford; Director of Research: Mary Anne Burke

SMD AbiTech

825 Sherbrook St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3A 1M5
Tel.: (204) 975-3004
Fax: (204) 975-3004
TTY: (613) 526-8008
Toll Free: 800-225-9180
E-mail: mring@smd.mb.ca
URL: www.smd-abitech.com
Contact: Marshall Ring, CEO

Organizational Notes:  SMD AbiTech is a not-for-profit R & D centre that works with stakeholders to design, develop, and test; technology, products, and environments that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and provide economic returns to the private sector.
To accomplish this, AbiTech has three core functions: (1) Health Care Innovation; (2) Product Development; and (3) Accessibility Consulting. Our services are aimed to impact the current population of persons with disabilities as well as the aging population, many of whom will experience "loss of abilities" as they age.
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services:  SMD AbiTech offers consultation services in the areas of Product Development (New and Existing Products) and Accessibility Consulting, and Health Care Innovation through a paradigm of maximizing abilities.
See http://www.smd-abitech.com/ for details.

ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY

Atlantic Centre of Research, Access and Support for Disabled Students
923 Robie Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3H 3C3
Tel.: (902) 420-5449
Fax: (902) 420-5561
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL: www.stmarys.ca/administration/studentservices/atlcentr/atlantic.html
Contact: Dr. David Leitch, Director

Organizational Notes:  The Atlantic Centre of Research, Access and Support for Disabled Students is university-affiliated agency networking provincially, nationally and internationally. A staff of six, including three counsellors and a visual language interpreter, is responsible for assisting students with disabilities successfully complete their post-secondary education. Centre is involved in the support of persons with disabilities in higher education and the economic integration of those persons.

Research Interests:  The Centre focuses on disability in general. A range of programs has been developed based on expressed needs of individuals and groups and, in accordance with the mandate, to research and improve access and support for persons with disabilities in higher education. Atlantic Centre staff have visited all the high schools in Nova Scotia and corresponded with over 300 high schools throughout Atlantic Canada for the purpose of encouraging capable students with disabilities to pursue an academic career. The Atlantic Centre is committed to work cooperatively with other centres, government, and consumers for the purposes of enabling more persons with disabilities to have the option of attaining a higher education and thus achieve equality with other Canadians. A current practical ambition of the Atlantic Centre is to bring the study of sign language into the mainstream of an undergraduate baccalaureate program of Saint Mary's University. There are precedents for this ambition in the example of universities in the United states and it has been demonstrated beneficial to the students and more importantly to the community at large. Type of research projects: 1. Research on obstacles to the full integration of persons with disabilities; 2. Testing of technological of solutions to the problems encountered by disabled persons in higher education; 3. Research on problems of illiteracy amongst severely disabled adults.

Publications and Services:  The Centre has also concentrated on improving direct support services for students already in the system. Through the purchase of new technology, counselling, workshops, interpreting, notetaking, and many other services, students' opportunities for equal access have been notably enhanced. The Centre offers services in cooperative education, community involvement, employment counselling and placement, sign language studies program, visual language interpreter program and learning disabilities services.

Publications:  Obstacles and Opportunities (book), Literacy and Severely Disabled Persons (under review by sponsoring agency).

STERLING FRAZER ASSOCIATES

7352 Nathan Cresent
Niagra Falls, Ontario
L2G 7R6
Tel.: (905) 704-9806
Fax: (905) 358-0746
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: kon@strelingfrazer.com
URL: www.sterlingfrazer.com
Contact: Brian D. Kon, President

Organizational Notes:  Sterling Frazer Associates provides primary and secondary research services to companies that provide products and/or services to people with disabilities and the elderly.
Sterling Frazer Associates is a full-service marketing firm, specializing in consumer research (interviews, surveys, and focus groups), product/service evaluation and development, market expansion, and promotion. All services are individualized to the needs of each client and reports are confidential.
Research Interests:  Markets that serve people with disabilities or the elderly. Emphasis is from the consumer perspective, providing companies with information they need to make a successful product/service and reduce product abandonment while decreasing time and expense to bring to market.
Publications and Services:  Product review and evaluations using Focus Group, Survey, and Interview techniques.

• Market Reports: market demographics and trends, competitive evaluation, pricing, funding programs, and industry contacts for business, trade show promotion and journals.
• Consultation and Training: sensitivity training and awareness towards people with disabilities, including representation of target audience when using promotional materials.
• Free lance writing for industry specific publications.

STR-SpeechTech Ltd.

#212-1001 Cloverdale Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia
V8X 4C9
Tel.: (250) 477-0544
Fax: (250) 477-2540
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: products@speechtech.com
URL: www.speechtech.com
Contact: Sally Hill, Product Specialist

Organizational Notes:  STR is a private R&D corporation which was incorporated in 1989. From 1983 to 1989, the company existed as a non-profit society under the name Centre for Speech Technology Research (CSTR) and was located at the University of Victoria. The company currently has 9 full time employees involved with R&D. Most of these employees moved from CSTR to the new company in 1989. The company also has several part-time consultants who work closely with employees. The names and backgrounds of the persons responsible for research activities are: Craig Dickson, M.A. (Linguistics), acoustic phonetics ; Stephen Eady, Ph.D. (Linguistics), psycho-linguistics, speech synthesis; Roy Snell, Ph.D. (Mathematics/Physics), speech & signal processing; John Esling, Ph.D. (Linguistics), phonetics, applied linguistics.

Research Interests:  STR is concerned with speech analysis, recognition, synthesis, and communication, speech input/output (I/O) product evaluation, speaker recognition, and human factor research pertaining to I/O technology. It is also involved in speech encoding and synthesis; the development and modification of special purpose software for speech and signal processing, I/O applications, language teaching and linguistic analysis; and the development through in-house research of products made available under license for distribution through the private sector. Business involves research and development of computer software systems for digital processing of acoustic signals, with emphasis on the treatment of speech signals. Major products and services include developing processes for generating high-quality speech output from computers, speech analysis and speech synthesis instrumentation, and dynamic tracking of audio signals.

Publications and Services:  Findings are published as journal articles and as contract reports.

SUNNY HILL HEALTH CENTRE FOR CHILDREN

Therapy Department
3644 Slocan Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5M 3E8
Tel: (604) 453-8302
Fax: (604) 453-8309
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL: www.cw.bc.ca/sunnyhill/SHHCC/default.asp
Contact: Lori Roxborough

Organizational Notes: 
Research Interests: 
Publications and Services: 

T-BASE COMMUNICATIONS INC

19 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1A9
Tel.: (613) 236-0866
Fax: (613) 236-0484
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: tbadmin@tbase.com
URL: www.tbase.com
Contact: Sharlyn Ayotte

Organizational Notes:  T-Base Communications is a leading Canadian company in the development of human/machine interfaces for electronic delivery systems such as ATM's, publically accessed systems and Internet sites. T-Base is also the leading developer of accessible criteria for WEB sites as well as programs and services. Full-time R & D employees: 7, Total employees: 30.
Research Interests:  The company's research is primarily focused on ensuring products and services are designed in a manner which enables full participation by people with disabilities.
Publications and Services:  A complete list of services and publications can be viewed at the company's WEB site.

TACTILE COLOUR COMMUNICATION

1329 Denman Street
Victoria, British Columbia
V8R 1X4
Tel: (250) 480-1610
Fax:
TTY:
Toll Free: 888-600-1931
E-mail: info@tactile.org
URL: www.tactile.org
Contact: Stacie Ratch

Organizational Notes:  Tactile Colour is an easy system of twelve standardized textures representing twelve colours. Each texture is distinctive and has a bold colour. The system is both intuitive and logical. They are arranged to reflect the colour spectrum so that the texture for orange feels between those of red and yellow. Green is a mixture of yellow and blue and so on. The contrasting colours like red and green and black and white are represented by contrasting textures.

Tactile Colour is screen printed on sheets of self-adhesive vinyl. It is also printed in several coloured textures to make maps, cards and images. Tactile Colour will soon be available in durable materials for use outside and in the public place. Tactile Colour Communication Society is a registered charity with Revenue Canada. We have a sister organization in the U.K. and work on a local, national, and international level. Most of our work has been for people with visual impairments, but we have recently begun to expand into the field of augmentative communication aids for people with multiple disabilities. The objectives of Tactile Colour Communication Society are research, education, communication, access to information, mobility, creativity, and recreation for the purpose of independence and integration. The charity has a belief that advancements designed for people with disabilities can benefit everyone.

Research Interests:

• Augmentative Communication Aids using Tactile Colour Haptic
• Perception Multi-sensory Stimulation
• Educational Aids
• Art and Visual Impairment
• Making Tactile Colour in Durable Materials

Publications and Services:  Tactile Colour and Augmentative Communication

TASH INTERNATIONAL INC.

91 Station Street
Unit # 1
Ajax, Ontario
L1S 3H2
Tel.: (905) 686-4129
Fax: (905) 686-6895
TTY:
Toll Free: 800-463-5685
E-mail: tashinc@aol.com
URL: www.tashinc.com
Contact: Colin Wheeler, President

Organizational Notes:  Most R&D personnel is contracted out of TASH. Number of R&D personnel: 1; total number of employees: 7.

Research Interests:  Computer access in communication devices for severely disabled individuals. Electronic Aids to Daily Living for severely disabled individuals.

Publications and Services:  TASH publishes a product catalogue and in conference proceedings. TASH attends major conferences such as Closing The Gap, California State University-Northridge, ISAAC and ATIA.

THE INSTITUTE FOR REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Rehabilitation Centre
505 Smyth Road
Ottawa, Ontario
K1H 8M2
Tel: (613) 737-7350 ext. 5321
Fax: (613) 737-4260
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: elemaire@ottawahospital.on.ca
URL: www.rehab.on.ca/irrd
Contact: Edward Lemaire

Organizational Notes:  A program of the Rehabilitation Centre (TRC). TRC is part of the Ottawa Hospital serving Eastern Ontario and Western Québec in both official languages and is a teaching facility affiliated with the University of Ottawa; provides service to persons with physical disabilities and has a solid core of clinical researchers in a variety of clinical services; is a partner in research with the University of Ottawa through a comprehensive Cooperative Agreement. This agreement facilitates collaborative research projects between core research staff, clinicians at TRC, and university-based researchers.

Research Interests:  An innovative treatment centre by conducting clinically relevant research; focusing on the clinical and practical application of rehabilitation services with a specific emphasis on technology, outcome studies and basic science; Research, development training and networking activities on a local, national and international basis; Promoting and encouraging active consumer involvement with all research and development activities.

Publications and Services:  Direct the research effort at TRC; coordinate research-based conferences, seminars and public lectures; promote research networking; facilitate multi-centred research studies; research consultation and project management expertise; commercialization of devices, products and services; knowledge and technology transfer in the context of global economic development; promote information exchange related to research, education and training through distance communication technology; Annual Research & Development Report.

THE TETRA SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA

27 - 770 Pacific Boulevard South
Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 5E7
Tel: (604) 688-6464
Fax: (604) 688-6463
TTY:
Toll Free: 877-688-8762
E-mail: ptweedie@tetrasociety.org
URL: www.tetrasociety.org
Contact: Sam Sullivan

Organizational Notes:  4 Total Employees

Research Interests:  Recruit technically skilled volunteers to work one on one with disabled people needing an assistive device.

Publications and Services:  Tetra has a network of affiliated chapters throughout Canada and in some US States. These groups recruit technically skilled volunteers and match them with disabled people who have an identified problem for which there is no commercially available product.
Tetra posts projects on the website.

TYKRIS INC

PO Box 309
Campbellville, Ontario
L0P 1B0
Tel.: (905) 854-3009
Fax: (905) 854-3012
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: tykris@aol.com
URL: www.tykris.com
Contact: Gary Zemlak, Responsible for all research activities

Organizational Notes:  Full time R&D employees: 2; full time employees: 3.

Research Interests:  Involved in research, design and product enhancement of environmental controls, voice recognition, ability switches, and telephone systems intended to provide disabled individuals maximum independence and quality of life.

Publications and Services: 

UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL

Groupe d'acoustique de l'Université de Montréal
Ecole d'orthophonie et d'audiologie
PO Box 6128 - Succursale Centre-ville
Montreal, Quebec
H3C 3J7
Tel: (514) 343-7458
Fax: (514) 343-5740
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL:
Contact: Jean Pierre Gagné, Director

Organizational Notes:  Affiliation: École d'Orthophonie et d'audiologie de l'Université de Montréal. Number of researchers: 2, researcher officers: 3, technicians: 1. Total number of employees: 7.

Research Interests:  Development and implementation of a rehabilitation program for persons affected by occupational deafness: psycho-social intervention within a public health perspective. Adaptation of work stations to the constraints imposed by hearing loss: development of clinical procedures for measuring ability to hear; development of a computerized model to predict ability to detect sound from noise with hearing loss. Assessment of the efficiency of alarms in noisy environments; development of the software to design or adjust signals to suit the constraints of the sound environment. Assessment of hearing disabilities and psycho-social disadvantages associated with deafness: development of a trans-cultural questionnaire.

Publications and Services:  Scientific journals: Audiology, Acoustica, Applied Acoustics, Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Hearing Research, British Journal of Audiology, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. Services: Masters and Doctoral training, consultations and expert opinions, commissioned research.

UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE

Department of physiology and biophysics
Faculty of Medicine
Sherbrooke, Québec
J1H 5N4
Tel: (819) 564-5308
Fax: (819) 564-5399
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: mpayet01@courrier.usherb.ca
URL:
Contact: Dr. Marcel D. Payet

Organizational Notes:  Affiliation: Université de Sherbrooke. Number of researchers: 1

Research Interests:  Production of tactile illustrations for the visually impaired. Computer editing of black and white photographs to retain only dimensional information,an original procedure which correctly translates the levels of grey in an image by elevations that can be felt by the fingers. This means elimination of all tones which do not express variation of illumination according to the distance of the objects in the image.

Publications and Services:  Journal of Imaging Technology, Journal Visual Impairment and Blindness.

UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À MONTRÉAL

Groupe de recherche sur la langue des signes québecoise
PO Box 8888, Stn Centre-Ville,
Montreal, Quebec
H3C 3P8
Tel: (514) 987-4280
Fax: (514) 987-8538
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL:
Contact: Dr. Colette Dubuisson, Director

Organizational Notes:  3 part-time reserachers; 3 masters students; 2 doctoral students; 1 undergraduate student; 2 assistants.

Research Interests: 

1. Description of "langue des signes québécoise" (LSQ).
2. Study of deaf persons' written French, to assist in the teaching of language to deaf students. This will also help in developing teaching strategies to improve written French skills among deaf students.
3. "Conception d'un système expert d'aide à l'écriture à l'intention des personnes ayant une déficience auditive" project, aimed at creating workshops that use an expert system to assist in the improvement of the quality of written language.

Publications and Services:  Articles in various lingustics journals; proceedings of sign language conferences, etc.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

Department of Educational Psychology
6-102 Education North
Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2G5
Tel.: (780) 492-8247
Fax: (780) 492-1318
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: mike.rodda@ualberta.ca
URL:
Contact: Dr. Michael Rodda, Director of program

Organizational Notes: 

Research Interests:  Focus is specifically on hearing impairment. Research priorities are mental health, demography, language and cognition. The three main objectives for the centre were to establish an endowed chair of Deafness Studies; to develop and test models for postsecondary programs for the hearing impaired; and to establish a consortium of postsecondary agencies providing deaf and hard of hearing students with improved opportunities to participate in postsecondary education. The networking and advocacy aspects are, perhaps, unique. They represent a formal and cooperative venture between consumer group organizations and the University. Mental health and deafness has been identified as a research priority at the University of Alberta for the next decade. Language, communication and interpreter research is multifaced and wide ranging. Research into educational practice is a key part of the research program, and many of the MEd and PhD theses focus on such topics. An adjunct professor is using computer-based technology to teach lip reading skills to both students and adults.

Publications and Services:  Uniquely in Canada, Centre offers the opportunity for graduate work in an environment where deafness studies is an ongoing, active, and respected part of mainstream academia.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

Developmental Disabilities Centre
6-123 Education North
Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2G5
Tel.: (780) 492-4505
Fax: (780) 492-1318
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL: www.quasar.ualberta.ca
Contacts: Dr. Dick. Sobsey; Director, Dr. J. P. Das, Research Professor

Organization Notes:  Number of R&D employees is variable: usually from 3 to 6 researchers. Total number of employees: 3.

Research Interests:  Its current activities are: research, student training, publications, and limited clinical services related to learning disabilities, mild and severe mental retardation. Its recent research topics have included:

1. The nature of cognitive processes
2. Assessment of cognitive abilities as an alternative to intelligence assessment
3. The nature and measurement of reading and writing disabilities
4. Decline in intellectual functions of individuals with Down's Syndrome due to aging
5. Attention and attention deficit
6. Cognitive assessment of blind persons
7. Sexual abuse of persons with mental handicap
8. Cross-cultural research especially on planning and decision making
9. Remediation and cognitive re-education of reading-disabled children.

Publications and Services:  The Centre publishes: Development Disabilities Bulletin (twice a year). Publications appear in the following journals: APA Journals, Journal of School Psychology, Educational Psychology, Special Education, Journal of Learning Disabilities, Journal of General Psychology, Intelligence, and many other refereed journals. Further information is available through the Centre's Web page at http://gpu.srv.ualberta.ca/~ddc/index.html

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

School of Rehabilitation Sciences
T-325 Third Floor Koemer Pavilion
2211 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6T 2B5
Tel.: (604) 822-7392
Fax: (604) 822-7624
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail:
URL: www.rehab.ubc.ca
Contact:

Organizational Notes:  University offers bachelor's programs in occupational therapy and physical therapy and a masters program in rehabilitation sciences. Faculty complement: 17 F.T.E. There is no designated coordinator of research.

Research Interests:  Basic and applied research related to:

1. Disability, Rehabilitation, and Society
2. Exercise Science and Rehabilitation; and
3. Neurorehabilitation and Motor Control. Sample projects include work tolerance and functional capacity of people with chronic lung disease. Experiences of immigrant women with accessing health services; screening test for infants in fetal alcohol syndrome clinic; long term follow-up of rehab experience with people who have had a stroke; efficacy of devices to prevent decubiti; community living experiences of people with spinal cord injuries; etc.

Publications and Services:  Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy Canada, American Physical Therapy Journal, Journal of Physiology, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and more.

UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK

Institute of Biomedical Engineering
P.O. Box 4400
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 5A3
Tel.: (506) 453-4966
Fax: (506) 453-4827
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: hudgins@unb.ca
URL:
Contact: Bernard Hudgins, Director

Organizational Notes:  Number of researchers: 13 interdisciplinary researchers, all of who are professors with the University of New Brunswick. Number of staff members: The Institute employs 12 full time staff members including 2 administrative staff, 3 engineers, 1 occupational therapist, 1 prosthetist, and 4 technicians.

Research Interests:  The Institute of Biomedical Engineering is involved in a broad range of research activities related to biomedical engineering. These activities range from basic research in biomedical engineering to the design and development of myoelectric control systems for artificial arms. The Institute operates a clinical facility which fits amputees with myoelectric arms. Other research at the Institute includes the following: gait analysis, biomedical instrumentation, signal processing, spinal cord monitoring, ergonomics, psychological development in limb deficient children, voice recognition and communication, exercise physiology, and mobility.

Publications and Services:  Journals: IEEE Transactions in Biomedical Engineering, Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing and the Journal of the Association of children's Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics, are the most common journals work is published in. Services: The Institute holds and annual Myoelectric Control Course/Symposium (MEC). Approximately 15 graduate students are doing their research at the Institute with some of the faculty members.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

The McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology
39A Queen's Park Crescent East
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2C3
Tel.: (416) 978-7026
Fax: (416) 978-5324
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: mcluhan.program@utoronto.ca
URL: www.mcluhan.utoronto.ca
Contact: Derrick de Kerckhove

Organizational Notes:  Faculty: Director, Derrick deKerckhove, Chief Strategist, Mark Federman, Research and Academic, Liss Jeffrey; Associate Director, Michael Edmunds.
The McLuhan Program's mandate is to encourage understanding of the effects of technology on culture and society from theoretical and practical perspectives, and thus to continue the ground-breaking work initiated by Marshall McLuhan. To this end, the Program offers courses, conducts and supports research, and draws together members of the University community whose interests lie in the inter- and trans-disciplinary studies of communications, culture and technology. Through its research, course offerings, publications, speaking engagements, and experimentation in new and old media, the Program serves as an enabling connective force among the University of Toronto, other academic institutions throughout the world, governments, industry, artists of all types and the general public.

Research Interests: Please visit our website to learn about the various research activities currently underway at the McLuhan Program.

Publications and Services: 

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO

Department of Computer Science
Middlesex College
London, Ontario
N6A 5B7
Tel.: (519) 661-3560
Fax: (519) 661-3515
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: Helmut@csd.uwo.ca
URL: www.csd.uwo.ca
Contact: Dr. Helmut Jurgensen, Professor

Organizational Notes:  The research, under the direction of Dr. Jurgensen, is conducted at the Department of Computer Science.

Research Interests:  The main theme is computer-facilitated information access for the blind or visually impaired individuals. Special emphasis is placed on access to scientific and engineering documents involving complicated notations and graphics. Group experiments with combinations of various interactive media including tactile graphics, voice input and output, and gesture input. Group also focuses on developing a teaching environment for blind students of computer science.

Publications and Services:  Computer Science Journals, technical reports. Services: Undergraduate and graduate education in computer science.

VIHA (Vancouver Island Health Authority)

QA Centre for Orthotics, Prosthetics and Seating (QACOPS)
Fisher Building 2400 Arbutus Road
Victoria, British Columbia
V8N 1V7
Tel. : (250) 721-6732
Fax : (250) 721-6815
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: gray.eakins@caphealth.org
URL:
Contact: Gray Eakins, Coordinator, Professional Services

Organizational Notes:  Provides: Bracing, Special Seating, Prosthetics, Foot Orthotics and Splinting. We serve children and adults and specialize in Diabetic Foot Care.
Research Interests:  Paediatric Gait and Motion Analysis, Orthotic treatment for Arthritus and Diabetes. Paediatric Clinics include: Neuromuscular, Spina Bifida, Spinal, Swallowing Disorders.
Publications and Services: 

VISUAIDE

841 Boulevard Jean-Paul Vincent
Longueuil, Québec
J4G 1R3
Tel.: (450) 463-1717
Fax: (450) 463-0120
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: info@visuaide.com
URL: www.visuaide.com
Contact: Nicolas Lagacé

Organizational Notes:  Visuaide is a company first in innovation, providing high technology solutions for blind and visually impaired persons. Staff: 70; R&D staff: 19.

Research Interests:  Technological products for visually impaired persons. Projects: Technological crenels numerical word encoding;(Victor Reader digital talking book reader, digitization and digital reader software), GPS-based navigation aid (Victor Trekker).

Publications and Services:  Training, technical support, workstation adaptation, sales and repairs of technical aids.

VOCATIONAL AND REHABILITATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE (VRRI)

3304 - 33rd St. N.W.
Calgary, Alberta
T2L 2A6
Tel.: (403) 284-1121
Fax: (403) 289-6427
TTY:
Toll Free:
E-mail: vrri@telus.net
URL: www.vrri.org
Contact: Ms. Leslie Tamagi, Executive Director

Organizational Notes:  Established in 1966. is a separately incorporated nonprofit research and service delivery organization affiliated with the University of Calgary. 350 full- and part-time staff, 6 are involved full-time in research and dissemination activities. Supplemented by community volunteers and university students; provides training of personnel in the field of rehabilitation and consultancy and advisory services in Canada and abroad.

Research Interests:  Conducted in collaboration with and in response to the needs of the rehabilitation and disability communities by a team of researchers trained primarily in the social sciences; aim to enhance involvement in the community and the control that adults with developmental disabilities have over decisions affecting them by identifying and demonstrating effective means of facilitating these goals. Topics include rights, generic service access, community education, relationships and quality of life.

Publications and Services:  Refereed journals as well as in-house reports and Rehabilitation Reviews. Joint publisher of the "International Journal of Practical Approaches to Disability". "Bridges: Bringing Together Albertans on Developmental Disabilities." The VRRI sponsors and organizes training and professional seminars. The VRRI's Tighe Resource Centre is open to the public and has approximately 15,500 listings in developmental disability and rehabilitation. A "Current Awareness Bulletin" summarizes recent additions to the collection and is available by subscription.