Research Labs and Centers

Concentrating on the relationship between injury and psychology to produce valuable learning experiences, interdisciplinary research and scholarship

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

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

Community Health and Disability Inclusion (CHADI) research projects focus on how environments, policies and the health care system shape health behaviors and outcomes among people with disabilities.

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

Generating scientific evidence for promoting physical activity among persons with neurological diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis.

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

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

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

An evidence-based health promotion program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their supports in health-friendly communities

Enables nonprofit community based organizations to better serve as welcoming centers across diverse regions of Illinois

Promoting the independence, productivity and inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society

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

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

We strive to maximize the health and engagement of people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers.

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

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

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

Targeted Exercise for African-Americans with Multiple Sclerosis (TEAAMS) study examines the effects of a remotely-delivered, racially-tailored exercise training program among African-Americans with MS residing in rural environments.

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

The V-ARE lab focuses on the use of technologies across the reality-virtuality continuum, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), to develop virtual health care experiences.