Roger O.  Smith, Ph.D., O.T. FAOTA 

Professor 

Interests and Expertise
Dr. Smith's research focuses on measurement related to disability and the application of assistive technology & universal design. In measurement, Dr. Smith examines assessments to determine their reliability and validity in use. He has created a software based evaluation system that uses a branching question structure called TTSS (Trichotomous Tailored Sub-branching Scoring). One component of Dr. Smith's current research specifically investigates the utility of the TTSS methodology as embedded in OTFACT software. Dr. Smith also investigates the effectiveness of assistive technology and universal design interventions on the lives of people with disabilities. Currently, Dr. Smith directs several research projects funded by the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) as well as other agencies. Dr. Smith has served as primary author and director for more than 20 grant and contract awards of over 5 million dollars of extramural sponsored research and training programs. These projects have supported many dozens of students in assistive technology training and in research support positions.

See the Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability (R2D2) Center website for more about current projects. http://www.r2d2/uwm.edu

2400 E. Hartford Ave., Enderis Room 135, Milwaukee, WI 53211
Voice 414.229.6803; TTY 414.229.5628

Director(s):
Roger O. Smith, Ph.D., smithro@uwm.edu

The R2D2 Center provides an interdisciplinary home for basic research, applied research and development, as well as innovative instruction related to technology and disability.

The R2D2 Center affiliates multiple college/school units in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Currently, key linkages exist with the Departments of Occupational Therapy and Health Sciences in the College of Health Sciences, the Department of Exceptional Education in the School of Education, the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, and components of the campus Office of Information Technology.

Research Partners from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and nationally:

Marquette University, Biomedical Engineering Department

Medical College of Wisconsin, Physical Medicine Rehabilitation and Neurophysiology Departments

Georgia Tech, Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access

Consultant, Dr. Frances Harris of New York City

Consultant, Attorney Steven Mendelsohn of New York City

Consultant Mary Binion and team (Kent Thompson and Kim Finnerty) of Columbus, Ohio

SVRI (Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, University of Wisconsin - Stout, Menominee, Wisconsin

Independence First

SUNY at Buffalo, New York

Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Testing and Evaluation Services, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Recent Publications
Noll, A., Owens, L., Smith, R. O., & Schwanke, T. (2006). Survey of state vocational rehabilitation counselor roles and competencies in assistive technology. WORK: Journal of Prevention, Assessment, & Rehabilitation. 27(4).

Rust, K. L. & Smith, R. O. (2006). Perspectives of outcome data from assistive technology developers. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits, 3(1), 34-52.

Silverman, M. & Smith, R. O. (2006). Consequential validity of an assistive technology supplement for the School Functional Assessment. Assistive Technology, 18(2), 155-165.

Rust, K.L. & Smith, R.O. (2005). Assistive technology in the measurement of rehabilitation and health outcomes: A review and analysis of instruments. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 84 (10), 780-793.

Edyburn, D., Fennema-Jansen, S., Hariharan, P., & Smith, R. (2005). Assistive technology outcomes: Implementation strategies for collecting data in the schools. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits, 2(1), Electronic Journal.

Schwanke, T. & Smith, R.O. (2005). Assistive technology outcomes in work settings, WORK: Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 24 (2).

Edyburn, D. & Smith R.O. (2004, Fall) Creating an Assistive Technology Outcomes Measurement System: Validating the Components. Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits. 1(1), 6-15, Electronic Journal.

Smith, R.O. (2002). OTFACT: A multi-level performance-based software instrument with an assistive technology outcomes assessment protocol. Technology and Disability, 14(3), 133-139.

Silverman M. K., Stratman, K. F. and Smith, R. O. (2000). Measuring assistive technology outcomes in the schools using functional assessments. Diagnostique, 25(4), 307-326.

Smith, R. O. (2000). Measuring assistive technology outcomes in education. Diagnostique. 25(4), 273-290.

Smith, R.O. (1996). The On-Ramp to the Occupational Therapy Electronic Superhighway. In Joy Hammel (Ed.), AOTA Self-Study Series: Assistive Technology. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Smith, R.O. (1994, 1995). OT FACT, version 2.0 and version 2.03. [Computer software & manual.] Rockville, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Smith, R.O., Benge, M., & Hall, M. (1994). Technology for self-care. In C. Christiansen (Ed.), Ways of Living: Self-Care Management for People with Special Needs. Rockville, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Smith, R.O. (1993). Computer-assisted functional assessment and documentation. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47, 988-992.

Angelo, J., & Smith, R.O. (1993). An analysis of computer-related articles in occupational therapy periodicals. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47, 25-29.

Speaker Topics 
Access Standards
Accessibility Guidelines
Accessible Information Design
Accessible Multimedia Design
Assistive Technology
Information Accessibility
Universal Accessibility
Universal Design
Usability
Accessibility

Education
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Human Factors and Health Systems Engineering, 1993
M.O.T., University of Washington, Seattle, Occupational Therapy, 1980
B.A., Goshen College, Indiana, Psychology with co-major in Communications, 1976