Friday, May 2, 2025
5/2/2025
ARRT Career Advancement in Assistive Technology Practice, Research, and Policy (CAT-PReP) - Assistive technology (AT) enables and promotes inclusion and participation of people with disabilities. However, access to AT is often thwarted by restrictive coverage policies, shortage of AT practitioners, limited research evidence to support the benefits of AT as well as few trained interdisciplinary clinical investigators to perform research. Goal: The proposed project entitled Career Advancement in Assistive Technology Practice, Research & Policy (CAT-PReP)” aims to increase the number of rigorously trained, extramurally competitive, and scientifically productive researchers specialized in AT provision and policy for community living and participation. Objectives: We will identify and recruit highly motivated individuals with a terminal doctorate in relevant disciplines including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathology, audiology, and rehabilitation engineering who demonstrate interest in and potential for independent research in AT provision and policy. We will engage the trainees in advanced interdisciplinary research training to become competitive researchers who can identify the gap between AT research, practice, and policy, are equipped with hands-on AT knowledge and skills as well as research skills for community-based participatory and implementation research, and can design and perform innovative and evidence-based research that could have real-world impact on AT provision and policy. Approaches: Training activities include an inspiring mentored research experience, immersive AT practice rotations, supervised community practicum, and individualized professional development. Outcomes: Five clinical researchers with expertise to design and conduct research impacting access to AT devices and services for community living and participation of people with disabilities. Products: Deliverables include the training handbook and trainee achievements such as publications, presentations, and extramural research proposals.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).