National Committee for Rehabilitation Engineering

Rehabilitation engineering is the application of engineering sciences to create technological solutions to problems encountered by people with disabilities. Rehabilitation engineers are integral to the development and delivery of assistive technologies. These technologies help people with disabilities in their everyday lives and in education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, recreation and independent living.

Rehabilitation Engineers work across a range of functional areas including mobility, communications, hearing, vision, and cognition, and in activities associated with employment, independent living, education, and integration into the community.

The National Committee on Rehabilitation Engineering (NCRE) is a committee of the College of Biomedical Engineering, governed by a panel of committee members.               

The NCRE aims to:

  • Foster interaction with peers across Australia.
  • Support the practice of rehabilitation engineers working across Australia.
  • Promote the work and role of professional engineering involvement in the provision of assistive technology services to Australians with disabilities.
  • Define and develop a rehabilitation engineering profile amongst clients, health professionals and funding sources.
  • Improve Government understanding of and support for rehabilitation engineering.
  • Establish and increase the level of rehabilitation engineering research and development projects, manufacturing industry and training in Australia.
Leadership

Current NCRE committee members are:

  • Iain Brown MIEAust CPEng NER – Chair
  • Emma Friesen MIEAust CPEng NER 
  • Sam John MIEAust
  • Kristen Morris MIEAust CPEng NER
  • Denny Oetomo FIEAust
  • Karthik Pasumarthy MIEAust CPEng NER 
  • David Hobbs FIEAust – Corresponding Member
  • Peter Slattery FIEAust CPEng NER – Corresponding Member
Engage with us

Join EA Exchange to view our technical and discussion papers, event materials and publications. You can also network with other engineering community members on this interactive forum. 

Email us or call 1300 653 113 if you have any questions.

Publications

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National Committee on Rehabilitation Engineering | May 2016

Additive manufacturing

This position paper provides an overview of additive manufacturing as it relates to rehabilitation engineering and outlines its potential implications to the areas of application relevant to the National Committee on Rehabilitation Engineers. 

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National Committee on Rehabilitation Engineering | December 2008

Developing a national disability strategy

The NCRE strongly supports the primary aim of the discussion paper to create a more “socially inclusive Australia for people with disability”. It is the opinion of the NCRE that to achieve this worthwhile outcome, it is essential to provide appropriate assistive technology  to Australians with disabilities, including those who are acquiring disability through ageing.

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National Committee on Rehabilitation Engineering | June 2020

Rehabilitation engineering in Australia

This paper is intended to promote a nationwide discussion among existing rehabilitation engineers by suggesting a definition and scope of practice for the field in the Australian context. It is hoped that this discussion will help to foster a national identity and to provide a means of establishing broader connections within the field.

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National Committee on Rehabilitation Engineering | August 2008

Standards testing of assistive technology

This guide covers common questions about the standards testing of assistive technology in Australia.