| Contact for Journalists/Media Only:
Jennifer Berman
212-404-3555
Jennifer.berman@med.nyu.edu
For More Program Information:
www.ruskinstitute.org
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Mathew H.M. Lee, M.D., Chairman, Rusk Institute
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NEW YORK, July 13, 2005 – The Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and Microsoft Corporation have teamed up to educate the medical community about the importance of incorporating accessible technology into the rehabilitation process to help patients with disabilities return to the workforce and be more productive and competitive in their jobs.
The forum, “Innovations for a Healthy Workforce,” took place at NYU Medical Center. A panel of medical and technology experts discussed workplace issues confronting people with physical and sensory disabilities, which are caused by injury, disease or aging, with a specific focus on ways that accessible technology can help mitigate these issues.
“We are committed to helping patients overcome their disabilities and have found that rehab therapy plays an essential role in enabling many of our patients to return to the workforce,” said Mathew H. M. Lee, MD, the Howard A. Rusk Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. “Enabling our patients to use computers for both work and to communicate with friends and family provides them with the incentive to train with rehab professionals to overcome their physical disabilities.”
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| Herb Zaretsky, Ph.D., Rusk Institute, Bill Crounse, M.D., Microsoft, Mathew H.M. Lee, M.D., Rusk Institute |
The inability to operate computer technology can put workers of any age at a disadvantage and may hinder career advancement or lead to unemployment, whether these individuals are recent college graduates looking for a job, wounded soldiers returning from a tour of duty in Iraq, or aging baby boomers trying to stay competitive in today’s workforce.
In today’s economy, computers are essential for many businesses, and are a mainstay of personal and professional life around the world. Among working-age adults in the United States, 78 percent use computers—68 percent at home and 45 percent at work. With nearly 60 percent of the workforce experiencing some level of disability or impairment due to chronic ailments (e.g., vision loss, carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis) or serious injury, using a computer can be challenging for many people.
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From left to right: Herb Zaretsky, Ph.D., Rusk Institute, Bill Kilroy, Freedom Scientific, Bill Crounse, M.D., Microsoft, Mark A.Young, M.D., Maryland Rehabilitation Center, Stanley F. Wainaple, M.D., Montefiore Medical Center, Steve Stiens, M.D., Washington State Veteran's Hospital, Mathew H.M. Lee, M.D., Rusk Institute, Valerie Matthews, ScanSoft Inc.
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Presenters included:
- Mathew H. M. Lee, MD, Howard A. Rusk Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University School of Medicine and Medical Director, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
- Bill Crounse, MD, Global Health Care Industry Manager, Microsoft Corporation
- Mark A. Young MD, MBA, FACP, Chair, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Maryland Rehabilitation Institute
- Steve Stiens, MS, MD, Associate Professor, University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician with the VA Puget Sound Health Care System’s Spinal Cord Injury Service
- Stanley F. Wainapel, MD, M.P.H., Clinical Director, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center and Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
In addition, the departments from The Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine which included Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Vocational Services, presented exhibits pertaining to various Assistive Technology Services offered at Rusk. Vocational Services offered information on the innovative services they provide to enable individuals with physical, cognitive, and psychiatric limitations to succeed in competitive employment opportunities. The Seating and Mobility Program presented specialized services for individuals requiring power wheel chairs, scooters, and custom seating. The Barrier Free Design Service recommended individualized design solutions to enhance daily living by maximizing independence and ease of care giving. The Hand Therapy Clinic provided information regarding their comprehensive upper limb rehabilitation. The Vision Rehabilitation Program highlighted adaptive equipment, assessment and training for patients with low vision to increase independence with self care and home management skills.
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Irene Ward, Dept. of Physical Therapy, demonstrates the latest in assisted technology at Rusk.
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About Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
The Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, an integral component of New York University Medical Center, is the world's first facility devoted entirely to rehabilitation medicine. Founded in 1948 by Dr. Howard A. Rusk, the Rusk Institute is the largest university-affiliated center for the treatment of adults and children with disabilities, as well as for research and training in rehabilitation medicine. For more information, please visit www.ruskinstitute.org
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Above are Rusk staff members who helped coordinate the event.
From left to right: Herb Zaretsky, Ph.D., Rusk Institute, Kate Parkin, Director of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Jennifer Berman, Asst. Director of Media Relations, Marianne Hardart, Asst. Director of Therapeutic Recreation, Dorra Blacker, Training Specialist of Vocational Services.
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