[nfbwatlk] University at Buffalo Awarded $924, 512 Grant to Advance the Transfer of Rehabilitation Technologies for Individuals with Disabilities, ED.Gov Press Release, September 30 2013

[Nightingale, Noel]

Link:
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/university-buffalo-awarded-924512-grant-advance-transfer-rehabilitation-technolo

Text:
University at Buffalo Awarded $924,512 Grant to Advance the Transfer of Rehabilitation Technologies for Individuals with Disabilities
September 30, 2013
Contact:  Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press at ed.gov<mailto:press at ed.gov>

The U.S. Department of Education announced today a $924,512 grant to the University at Buffalo to promote the transfer of rehabilitation technologies that are developed with funding from the Department's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) into commercial and non-commercial products that will benefit individuals with disabilities.

Under this grant, the University at Buffalo will operate the Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer, with goals to: 1) increase the rate of successful transfer of rehabilitation technology products to the marketplace, engineering standards or into other intended applications; 2) increase understanding of pathways that lead to successful technology transfer; and 3) increase capacity of technology developers and researchers on ways to successfully engage in technology transfer activities.

"We want to develop the resources to maximize the full inclusion of people with disabilities into society," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "The grant will help design rehabilitation technology that enables individuals with disabilities to fully integrate into employment, independent living, and economic and social self-sufficiency."

Among the key activities under this grant:


*        Conduct research to understand factors that affect technology transfer outcomes, from both the technology developers' and technology industry's perspectives;

*        Further develop a framework to help with planning and charting technology transfer progress;

*        Broker partnerships between technology developers and industry; and

*        Provide training and technical assistance to technology developers on planning, implementing, and managing technology transfer.

The grant is being made by NIDRR, a component of the Education Department's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.