Research Labs and Centers

Helping vocational research agencies increase their capacity to help and the quality of services for Chicago-based Asian Americans with disabilities through culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach

Studying gait biomechanics in hip osteoarthritis with the twin goals of understanding the mechanistic role of gait (dys)function in hip osteoarthritis, and improving outcomes in multiple domains

Testing and developing low-cost, clinically-translatable therapies that enhance brain plasticity to optimize movement recovery

Promoting empowerment of minority individuals with disabilities and capacity building among agencies delivering services to minority populations

Providing the knowledge and skills necessary for promoting independence, equal opportunity, quality of life and longevity for people with disabilities

Developing and providing comprehensive entrepreneurship education and training programs for people with disabilities and service providers

Advancing client-centered care and outcomes in pediatric rehabilitation by harnessing technology to build innovative tools

Examining the effects of various cognitive and motor therapies for improving impairment, function, and participation in older and neurologically impaired populations

Conducts research focused on youth with disabilities from low-income communities to promote their success in entrepreneurship and self-employment

Facilitating the public policy debate, legislative activity and advocacy efforts in the disability field through the dissemination of research

Researching how to reduce health disparities for racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents, women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities

Concentrating on health-related research across several disciplines using translational cardiovascular approaches

Generating knowledge about the needs and experiences of families who provide support to children and adults with disabilities across the life course

Increasing awareness and knowledge with the ultimate goal of achieving voluntary compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act

Improving access to health care, increasing adherence, empowering patients and assisting health care professionals to care for their patients

A safe and engaging community for kids and parents to learn to live life as healthy and happy as possible

Integrating cardiovascular function, metabolism, inflammation, hydration, nutrition status and exercise/physical activity

Defining how a client and therapist each contribute to the unique interpersonal dynamic that becomes the therapeutic relationship

Studying rehabilitation while providing training in motor control, biomedical engineering and motor rehabilitation

Investigating why people fall (and why they don’t) with the goal of remediating balance impairment

Improving the quality of life of children and families with neurodevelopmental disabilities

Home to the most widely-cited and utilized occupation-focused practice model in the world

Generating state of the art research and interventions designed to foster resilience, build community capacity, promote social justice, and improve the well-being and quality of life of underserved populations both locally and nationally

Improving vocational rehabilitation and employment options for refugees with disabilities in Illinois and elsewhere

Working to understand and address health and participation disparities among people with disabilities

Research and community culture program that houses Bodies of Work, a consortium of more than 50 of Chicago's cultural, academic and social service organizations

Improving patient care quality and safety in outpatient, surgical, and related healthcare settings

The Institute on Disability and Human Development is the UCEDD for the State of Illinois