University Times

The Center for Assistive Technology (CAT), a joint program of Pitt's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and UPMC Health System, has received the Assistive Technology Achievement Award for 2001 from Temple University's Institute on Disabilities. The award was presented in recognition of the center's excellence in providing innovative and consumer-responsive services to persons with disabilities.

CAT's mission is to enhance the ability of people with disabilities to fulfill life goals through the coordination and provision of appropriate services. The center provides services to area residents with disabilities through a network of health care professionals, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, audiologists and rehabilitation engineers.

Under the direction of Michael Boninger, the center trains students and fosters research in assistive technology and rehabilitation science as well as the design and fabrication of customized assistive devices.

In addition to providing patients with care, CAT's researchers are conducting studies on a variety of subjects, including reduction of pressure ulcers among wheelchair users and telerehabilitation (the use of telephone-based video and data systems) for wheelchair assessment and development of new wheelchair technology.