Lehigh Announces New Center Focused on Adaptive Technologies
Feb. 13, 2025
The Center for Community-Driven Assistive Technologies (CDAT) is one of two new centers recently announced by Lehigh University. CDAT aims to transform the lives of people with physical, cognitive, behavioral/emotional, sensory and developmental disabilities through interdisciplinary research and cutting-edge emerging and existing assistive technologies. The center will focus on life transitions, mobility enhancement, everyday activities, and access to living, working and learning spaces.
The interdisciplinary research conducted at CDAT will develop new and innovative approaches to empowering people with disabilities and expand opportunities in education, employment and health. With a unique holistic approach that begins by engaging those community members who are most affected, and emphasizes collaboration with service providers to guide translational innovation, researchers will develop impactful solutions tailored to real-world needs. Partnering with an array of stakeholders, the center aspires to be a national leader in advancing independence, accessibility and quality of life for people with disabilities.
The center, to be led by Vinod Namboodiri, Forlenza Chair of Health Innovation and Technology and professor of computer science and engineering and George DuPaul, professor of school psychology, has been developed through collaboration among faculty from Lehigh’s College of Health, College of Education and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Science. Other faculty and students from across all colleges of the university will have opportunities to engage in the important work of the center.
The CDAT leadership team includes Vinod Namboodiri, Forlenza Chair of Health Innovation and Technology and professor of computer science and engineering and George DuPaul, professor of school psychology,
Challenges faced by individuals living with disabilities affect their educational attainment, social relationships, employment, physical and mental health and independent living.
- Dr. George DuPaul, professor, School Psychology, College of Education
Although the outcomes may evolve, CDAT’s goal will remain steady: to conduct research that has the potential to positively impact the lives of individuals living with disabilities.
“Ultimately, our work needs to directly and effectively address real-world challenges faced by children and adults with disabilities such that they can optimize independent living and quality of life,” DuPaul said.
Read the full story on Lehigh News.
