The freedom to run: developing an autonomous robot matching the needs of visually impaired citizens to technology opportunities

Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology along with Disability and Rehabilitation seek to encourage a better understanding of all aspects of disability and to promote rehabilitation science, practice and policy aspects of the rehabilitation process. Taken together, both journals represent an important forum for the dissemination and exchange of ideas amongst global health practitioners and researchers. The mission of Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology is to advance the practice and science of interdisciplinary and integrative assistive technology service delivery and product design internationally so that persons with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and challenges to the performance of activities and participation in life roles, achieve enhanced functioning and life quality. Assistive technology focuses on both equipping individuals with the most appropriate technologies and also removing barriers to functioning that exist in the environment. Topics range from everyday/mainstream to specialized devices, and include: exoskeletons and robotics; smart homes; information and communication technologies and computerized systems; ergonomics; universal design; ambient assistive technology; tele-rehabilitation; job and environmental accommodations; and methods of service delivery. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology is an international and multidisciplinary journal, published eight times a year. The Journal publishes review articles and original research on assistive technology devices, services, user experiences, education and training, and policies. The journal also publishes supplements, special issues and special sections. Because the field is broad, submissions include experimental investigations, survey research, case studies, systematic reviews and product development and testing. Theoretical and conceptual papers and the discussion of professional issues and international/national policies and standards are also published. Subscribers to Disability and Rehabilitation receive Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology as part of their subscription, totaling 32 issues per year.