{"688857":{"#nid":"688857","#data":{"type":"event","title":"Conversations@TechSquare: \u0022What does an accessible community look like for people who are medically healthy but have physical, cognitive or sensory disabilities?\u0022","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Shepherd Center is visiting Georgia Tech on March 31. The Shepherd Center is a top-ranked, nationally recognized rehabilitation hospital specializing in spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other complex neurological conditions. There expert teams provide medical care, therapy, and support services designed to help patients regain independence and rebuild their lives.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EShepherd will have members from their Accessibility User Research Collective (AURC), a sociology researcher who focuses on community integration and social determinants of health in the population we serve, MS researchers investigating wearable technologies, and clinicians from our Center for Access Technology.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_8Dk8XECENuAZwlE\u0022\u003EPlease RSVP to attend here \u0026gt;\u0026gt;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy bringing awareness to the scientific community of barriers that create challenges for people with disabilities when accessing their community, we hope to spark ideas and conversations that would lead toward a greater goal of reducing barriers and creating environments accessible to all.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESpeakers\/Representatives from the Shepherd Center that will be at the event:\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFacilitated by \u003Cstrong\u003EDr. Deborah Backus\u003C\/strong\u003E, Vice President of Research and Innovation, and Director of Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute.\u0026nbsp;Dr. Deborah Backus is a nationally recognized leader in neurorehabilitation research, physical therapy, and education, with more than 30 years of experience advancing evidence-based care for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS), and other neurological conditions. She oversees multidisciplinary research programs and strategic partnerships that translate discoveries into real-world solutions for people with complex neurological conditions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDr. John Morris\u003C\/strong\u003E is Director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshepherd.org%2Fresearch%2Fredefining-rehab%2Faurc%2F\u0026amp;data=05%7C02%7CBeth.Pharo%40shepherd.org%7C80fc108b958b47f058c008de7eb0746b%7C32ead7baba1e42d6aa674709d3e43935%7C0%7C0%7C639087493516073018%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C\u0026amp;sdata=TSHN%2F5L3q3UYtpI12Sw5HVN4mvtyyvo4ci5paIC9zZA%3D\u0026amp;reserved=0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAccessibility User Research Collective\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(AURC) and a Senior Research Scientist in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshepherd.org%2Fresearch%2Fresearch-areas%2Fuser-experience-usability%2F\u0026amp;data=05%7C02%7CBeth.Pharo%40shepherd.org%7C80fc108b958b47f058c008de7eb0746b%7C32ead7baba1e42d6aa674709d3e43935%7C0%7C0%7C639087493516094564%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C\u0026amp;sdata=b%2Baosl%2Bkmf8o%2FynsK9%2FZ4izUB04LKTxSzuYGG84tGts%3D\u0026amp;reserved=0\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUser Experience and Usability Research Program\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. He leads research and development projects focused on assistive and rehabilitation technologies, ensuring that innovations are accessible, usable, and designed with the end user in mind. Dr. Morris also directs knowledge translation initiatives that bring research findings into practice, expanding access and independence for people with disabilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDr. Raeda Anderson\u003C\/strong\u003E is a Research Scientist at the Shepherd Center\u2019s Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute, where she leads transdisciplinary analytics to advance rehabilitation science with a strong emphasis on community participation and community integration for people with disabilities. Dr. Anderson\u2019s work centers on understanding the social and environmental contexts that shape health equity, leveraging multimodal data to generate actionable insights that improve realworld rehabilitation outcomes. In addition to directing the iCORD Lab at Georgia State University, she collaborates widely across clinical and academic settings to promote evidence-based practices that enhance meaningful community engagement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDr. Brad Willingham\u003C\/strong\u003E directs Shepherd Center\u2019s\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/shepherd.org\/research\/research-areas\/multiple-sclerosis\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMultiple Sclerosis Research Program\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, where he leads a multidisciplinary team focused on improving health, function, and quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). His work spans neuromuscular physiology, neurorehabilitation, and digital health, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and clinical practice. Brad collaborates closely with clinicians and individuals with MS to design studies that generate practical, translation-ready solutions. His research integrates physiology, rehabilitation science, and technology to create strategies that can be adopted into real-world care.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChris Maurer\u003C\/strong\u003E,\u0026nbsp;Program Manager for the Center for Assistive Technologies\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/services-clinics\/center-for-assistive-technologies\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECenter for Assistive Technologies\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E at Shepherd Center helps individuals regain independence after a neurological injury or condition. Challenges with mobility and cognitive function can impact daily activities like using devices, controlling home environments, and driving. Our team develops, tests, and customizes assistive technologies to support rehabilitation, empowering you to navigate life with greater ease and autonomy.\u0026nbsp;Services include the Access Technology Lab (personal devices and technologies for life), the Driving Program, and the Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E-----\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShepherd Center\u0026nbsp;was founded in 1975 as a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research,\u0026nbsp;and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain,\u0026nbsp;multi-trauma,\u0026nbsp;and other neurological\u0026nbsp;conditions.\u0026nbsp;Serving patients along the full continuum from the ICU through outpatient services, Shepherd Center is one of the nation\u2019s top hospitals for rehabilitation,\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Ewith patient rehabilitation programs\u0026nbsp;that\u0026nbsp;focus on individualized recovery and lifelong wellness.\u0026nbsp;The Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute (CRI)\u0026nbsp; was\u0026nbsp;established\u0026nbsp;at Shepherd Center in 1996 to promote the synthesis of research into clinical practice. CRI supports an integrated program of rehabilitation research, including clinical, health services, and\u0026nbsp;outcomes\u0026nbsp;research. Support personnel have\u0026nbsp;expertise\u0026nbsp;in clinical trials coordination, grants management and financial accounting, information technology, library sciences, and biostatistics.\u0026nbsp; The James M. Cox Innovation Institute was established in 2025 to accelerate the journey from idea to impact and provide collaborative spaces where engineers, researchers, clinicians, therapists, and patients converge to build the future of rehabilitation.\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.shepherd.org\/\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.shepherd.org\/\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003E----------------\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConversations@TechSquare \u003C\/strong\u003Eis a dynamic space for new ideas, not an environment for established concepts. We gather creators and innovators from across Georgia Tech, the broader Tech Square community, and beyond, to engage in open dialogue around some of today\u2019s biggest challenges and opportunities. These gatherings are organized and hosted by the \u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Institute for People and Technology\u003C\/strong\u003E (IPaT) and will occur several times during a semester at the Tech Square Clubhouse. The Clubhouse address is 848 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30308 (street level, behind the Centergy One Bldg.).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETech Square Clubhouse\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll conversation gatherings are held in the Tech Square Clubhouse.\u003Cbr\u003EThe Clubhouse address is 848 Spring Street NW\ufeff, Atlanta, Georgia, 30308 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/g.page\/techsquareatl?share\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026lt; map \u0026gt;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.techsquareatl.com\/the-clubhouse#directions\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETech Square Clubhouse\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is on the bottom level (street level, behind the Centergy One Bldg.), close to LA Fitness and only a few blocks away from the Midtown and North Ave. MARTA stations. Look closely and you\u0027ll see there is an outdoor staircase to the left of the Centergy One Building leading down to the street where you\u0027ll find the Tech Square Clubhouse.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPARKING:\u003Cbr\u003EParking is available at the Centergy One parking deck, located right next door. You can also find additional street parking via Park Mobile on Spring and 5th Street. \u003Cem\u003ECentergy One parking deck daily rates: Half Hour: $3.00 | One Hour: $6.00 | Two Hours: $12.00 | Daily Max: $20.00\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGT CAMPUS BUS: Take the Gold route bus which stops at Tech Square.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConversations@TechSquare with the Shepherd Center.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Conversations@TechSquare with the Shepherd Center."}],"uid":"27513","created_gmt":"2026-03-11 17:03:50","changed_gmt":"2026-03-13 20:39:58","author":"Walter Rich","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","field_event_time":{"event_time_start":"2026-03-31T15:30:00-04:00","event_time_end":"2026-03-31T17:00:00-04:00","event_time_end_last":"2026-03-31T17:00:00-04:00","gmt_time_start":"2026-03-31 19:30:00","gmt_time_end":"2026-03-31 21:00:00","gmt_time_end_last":"2026-03-31 21:00:00","rrule":null,"timezone":"America\/New_York"},"location":"The Clubhouse at TechSquare","extras":[],"hg_media":{"679580":{"id":"679580","type":"image","title":"Shepherd Center Presenters and Visitors","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPictured: Deborah Backus, John Morris, Raeda Anderson, Brad Willingham, Chris Maurer\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773248910","gmt_created":"2026-03-11 17:08:30","changed":"1773249002","gmt_changed":"2026-03-11 17:10:02","alt":"Pictured: Deborah Backus, John Morris, Raeda Anderson, Brad Willingham, Chris Maurer","file":{"fid":"263757","name":"Deborah-Backus-Headshots-horizontal-w-names-copy.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/11\/Deborah-Backus-Headshots-horizontal-w-names-copy.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/11\/Deborah-Backus-Headshots-horizontal-w-names-copy.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":416639,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/11\/Deborah-Backus-Headshots-horizontal-w-names-copy.jpg?itok=nO2Pl3KX"}}},"media_ids":["679580"],"groups":[{"id":"69599","name":"IPaT"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"188084","name":"go-ipat"},{"id":"172970","name":"go-neuro"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[{"id":"1795","name":"Seminar\/Lecture\/Colloquium"}],"invited_audience":[{"id":"78761","name":"Faculty\/Staff"},{"id":"177814","name":"Postdoc"},{"id":"174045","name":"Graduate students"},{"id":"78751","name":"Undergraduate students"}],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}