University of Alberta Rehabilitation Robotics Lab

Are you interested in the world of rehabilitation and accessibility? Join our team at the RRL! We’re looking for dedicated volunteers to join our innovative projects! Scan the QR code, click the link attached in this caption, or follow the link in our bio to apply if you are interested!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7jYHWs4IiUlPqVYo9jYGLQ5VUnqJCqjk65gjGncQPyAq6Mg/viewform

We had an amazing time visiting our partners down in to discuss our work in ! We dove into engaging discussions about the future of telehealth and how we can make more accessible for everyone in communities. Looking forward to our next visit and our !

Huge thanks to for inviting our lab members to ! Everyone had an amazing time and really enjoyed themselves! Click&Push Accessibility also piloted their app, , which allows users to notify the event organizers of the different barriers they encounter, as well as see potential barriers ahead of time so they can plan accordingly. It is now available to download on both the App Store and the Google Play Store! https://www.clicknpush.ca/the-atlas

Huge thanks to Click&Push Accessibility Inc. for inviting our lab members to ! Everyone had an amazing time and really enjoyed themselves! Click&Push Accessibility Inc. also piloted their app, , which allows users to notify the event organizers of the different barriers they encounter, as well as see potential barriers ahead of time so they can plan accordingly. It is now available to download on both the App Store and the Google Play Store! https://www.clicknpush.ca/the-atlas

We’re over the moon to share that the has earned the Certification as a Green Space on campus!💚

At , we believe every small step counts. From sipping coffee in our favorite reusable mugs to using reusable dishes at potlucks, diligently sorting our waste, and even recycling pens—we're committed to making a difference.

Join us in the journey towards a greener future. Get your certification here: http://uab.ca/eca University of Alberta - Sustainability University of Alberta - Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine University of Alberta

We're thrilled to announce that our amazing , Ashmita Singh, was selected to attend the prestigious Global Rehabilitation Leadership Institute in ! 🌍 She joined 52 fellows from 19 countries, creating a vibrant exchange of ideas and expertise. We're also super proud of Ashmita and her team for winning the People’s Choice Award for their innovative Health Systems Model, integrating rehabilitation programs into the national healthcare system. Way to go, Ashmita!

Meet Amber, one of our talented master’s ! With a Bachelor of , she is now researching if female varsity volleyball players with lower body injuries spike the ball differently than those without injuries. After completing her master’s program, Amber aims to attend medical school and further her career in healthcare. We’re excited to see what she discovers next!

Meet Amber, one of our talented master's ! With a Bachelor of , she is now researching if female varsity volleyball players with lower body injuries spike the ball differently than those without injuries. After completing her master's program, Amber aims to attend medical school and further her career in healthcare. We're excited to see what she discovers next!

Meet Mahtab, an outstanding PhD student at ! With impressive on fine motor skills in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and balance training for the elderly, Mahtab is now doing a study on the physical functioning of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. We are so proud to celebrate Mahtab’s innovative work and dedication to the field of !

Almost 27 years ago, 's co-PI, Martin Ferguson-Pell, was featured in The Guardian (by Tim Radford). Today, as he guides students in exploring and to improve accessibility and enhance the lives of people with motor neuron disorders, we are reminded of one thing: never stop believing.

Introducing ATLAS by Click & Push (born out of the )! ATLAS empowers individuals with mobility needs to confidently navigate challenging terrains like cracked sidewalks and potholes. 🦽 This is where meets innovation to build more . Visit their website at clicknpush.ca to learn more about their current projects!

This latest episode of offers a point to ponder on the daily challenges faced by wheelchair users, featuring our principal investigator, Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell. It is an eye-opening reminder that we must strive for better and .

You can listen to the newest episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1TLfYstMs58cqyB8Z0KY2X?si=wicPHCHyQl2k1X0HnbdFdA

Some new additions to our polaroid board to welcome our summer students!

was excited to welcome Edmonton Global for a tour, allowing us to highlight our lab's work. A big thank you to Edmonton Global for visiting and to ST Innovations for their assistance in organizing the tour!

Yesterday, we had a blast wrapping up our Assistibility project! This project aimed to make seating solutions better and faster for users with cool sensing tech. Huge thanks to our awesome team and everyone who came out to celebrate! ST Innovations

Using a manual wheelchair can put a lot of stress on shoulder muscles and joints. At , we’re testing technologies like SmartDrive, a portable power assist that makes navigating tough terrains easier, and supporting innovations like , a start-up born from our lab. Discover more by 📧 contacting us: [email protected]!

Here's a preview of presenting its projects at the County Health and Wellness Foundation. We're engaging with the to understand their healthcare needs and are dedicated to improving healthcare accessibility in ! Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation

are crucial for mobility, yet users encounter daily challenges. RRL advocates for accessibility, improves wheelchair design, and involves those with lived experience in research. Help us create more and environments for people with .
Want to collaborate or learn more? Email us at [email protected]

Congratulations to 's exceptional PhD students, Mahtab Azhdar and Pariya Parchini, for presenting their research at the 13th Neurorehabilitation Congress in Vancouver! We're incredibly proud of you both and look forward to your continued success!

had an incredible experience at ! Our principal investigator, Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, kicked off our time at the event by participating in the panel “Bridging Health Divides: Innovations for Underserved Communities”. The opportunity to listen to inspiring speakers and witness groundbreaking technology is unforgettable, and we are already counting down the days to . At the conference, as part of our pelvic floor health project and awareness program, we invited everyone to participate in an exercise and enter a lucky draw contest. Congratulations to our winner!

had an incredible experience at ! Our principal investigator, Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, kicked off our time at the event by participating in the panel "Bridging Health Divides: Innovations for Underserved Communities". The opportunity to listen to inspiring speakers and witness groundbreaking technology is unforgettable, and we are already counting down the days to . At the conference, as part of our pelvic floor health project and awareness program, we invited everyone to participate in an exercise and enter a lucky draw contest. Congratulations to our winner!

May is . can happen to anyone at any age, and recognizing the signs quickly can make all the differences. The , developed by Highway Innovations, is being tested by to enhance live monitoring of patients in ambulances with multiple sensors, making it especially valuable for stroke emergencies. Stay informed and stay safe! 🚑

We are only 5 days away from ! We can’t wait to be there so make sure to stop by and visit us! Here’s a sneak peak of the goodies we’re bringing along 👀 Inventures 2024

at the NorthWest SPOR Collaborative Forum! So inspired by Dr. Mahadeo Sukhai's keynote on putting patients first in research and medical care. is stoked to connect with incredible researchers and advance its journey towards patient-oriented research! SPOR Patient Engagement Platform

May is Physical Therapy Month!

Join us in celebrating the incredible work of our instructors, researchers, and students in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Remote rehabilitation program gives rural patients an arm up on shoulder injuries
Telerehabilitation technology broadens access to specialized care.

Dr. Lauren Beaupre's research centres on improving treatments for musculoskeletal injuries, encompassing care before and after surgery, and improving patient experiences by enhancing care delivery.
The project, called ARMS UP (Alberta’s Remote Management of Shoulders Program), combines two key components, says Beaupre: applying well-established evidence to practice and encouraging its adoption.

“This involves two main areas of recent research. The first focuses on a streamlined shoulder screening process for patients. The second element, spearheaded by Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell and his team, focuses on expanding access to rural health care.”

Full story here:
https://www.ualberta.ca/folio/2023/12/remote-rehabilitation-program-gives-rural-patients-an-arm-up-on-shoulder-injuries.html

For our summer students’ onboarding, we took them on a fun trip to the Lego store last week to create figurines! Everyone got super creative and added their mini-me’s to a Lego version of our lab. Can you guess which TV show the set is inspired by?

We're excited for ! Join us on May 29th to hear our Principal Investigator, Martin Ferguson-Pell, discuss how (along with its partners) is bridging health divides. Inventures 2024

The countdown to has begun, and the ST Innovations team is buzzing 🙌 🎉 There are a lot of incredible events lined up for this year, but there's one panel that has us particularly excited: "Bridging Health Divides: Innovations for Underserved Communities" featuring Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell from the University of Alberta Rehabilitation Robotics Lab. If you're joining us at this year, be sure to mark your calendars for May 29th, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, and head over to Glen Rooms 208 + 209 for what's guaranteed to be an enlightening discussion 💡

Every year on May 17, we observe International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. At , we prioritize s*x and gender variables in our research to enhance understanding and embrace diverse perspectives. Recognizing that these phobias still exist and create unsafe environments for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. We stand with our 2SLGBTQIA+ team members, ensuring that RRL is a place where everyone can thrive.