About the Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistive Technology

The Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistive Technology (“The Institute”), a cutting-edge research and education hub, is dedicated to advancing the field of rehabilitative medicine and developing assistive technology to address disease and disabilities.  

Rehabilitation medicine encompasses work “to improve function and minimize impairment related to activities that have been hampered by disease, injuries, or developmental disorders” (NIH).  We believe that the development and implementation of assistive technology is a fundamental part of rehabilitation medicine, and we plan to make research and development of assistive technology a cornerstone of the Institute’s activities.

Wichita State University has a rich history of applied research and application development working with the aerospace industry and defense partners. WSU is internationally recognized for developing effective technologies and pioneering new strategies in aerospace manufacturing.  The Institute is leveraging this knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop a world-class enterprise of applied research and development in rehabilitation medicine and assistive technologies.

The Institute prioritizes focused efforts among current WSU researchers, clinicians and industry partners toward rehabilitation medicine research, innovation, development of new assistive technologies, and applied education activities. It provides a centralized and coordinated structure for studies and applications that identify modifiable risk factors for disease and disabilities, and develop, evaluate, and implement effective interventions.

The Institute is currently located on the WSU main campus.  It will move to the Wichita Biomedical Campus in 2027 to be housed in state-of-the-art facilities, including research laboratories, classrooms, clinical spaces, and technology development hubs. These spaces are designed to facilitate collaboration among researchers, educators, and clinicians.

The Institute is inclusive of the College of Health Professions’ Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Physical Therapy and Public Health Sciences, as well as the College of Engineering’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. The Institute includes the College of Health Professions’ Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and leadership and staff of the Industry and Defense Programs on Innovation Campus. Affiliated members include other WSU academic units, extramural universities and colleges, foundations, and industry.

The Institute serves as a focal point for interdisciplinary research collaboration, design and development of new technologies, and the training of healthcare professionals committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities and chronic conditions through discovery and technology.