Katherine D. Seelman
Encyclopedia
Katherine Dolores Seelman is an American academic, focused on science, technology and public policy, especially telecommunications and accessibility
. An Associate Dean and Professor
at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
, she is co-scientific director of the Quality of Life Technology Engineering Research Center, supported by the National Science Foundation
, and was formerly the director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
. Seelman has been part of a number of advisory and editorial committees, including helping the World Health Organization
develop the first world report on disability as one of nine international advisors in 2006. In Pennsylvania, she is a member of the Pennsylvania State Technology Healthcare Working Group and an appointed member of the State Advisory Committee on Disability. Seelman, who is hearing impaired, co-chairs the City of Pittsburgh/Allegheny County Task Force on Disability.
Seelman, who earned her doctorate in public policy
from New York University
in 1982, has received numerous awards including the Gold Key Award from the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
, the Distinguished Public Service Award from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
, the Outstanding Public Service Award from the Association of Academic Physiatrists
, and the "Person Who Made a Difference" designation in 2002 by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
.
Accessibility
Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible. Accessibility can be viewed as the "ability to access" and benefit from some system or entity...
. An Associate Dean and Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
The University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is one of the schools of the University of Pittsburgh, one of six dedicated to Health Sciences....
, she is co-scientific director of the Quality of Life Technology Engineering Research Center, supported by the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
, and was formerly the director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research is a United States governmental institution that provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities...
. Seelman has been part of a number of advisory and editorial committees, including helping the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
develop the first world report on disability as one of nine international advisors in 2006. In Pennsylvania, she is a member of the Pennsylvania State Technology Healthcare Working Group and an appointed member of the State Advisory Committee on Disability. Seelman, who is hearing impaired, co-chairs the City of Pittsburgh/Allegheny County Task Force on Disability.
Seelman, who earned her doctorate in public policy
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1982, has received numerous awards including the Gold Key Award from the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine is an organization of rehabilitation professionals dedicated to serving people with disabling conditions by supporting research that:...
, the Distinguished Public Service Award from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is the national medical specialty society for physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation . These physicians are called “physiatrists” or “rehabilitation physicians.” Founded in 1938, the mission of AAPM&R is to...
, the Outstanding Public Service Award from the Association of Academic Physiatrists
Association of Academic Physiatrists
The Association of Academic Physiatrists is an organization of faculty, researchers, and others interested in supporting the advancement of physical medicine and rehabilitation academics. The Association currently has 1,100 members. It has an official journal, , and holds an...
, and the "Person Who Made a Difference" designation in 2002 by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
.
Select recent publications
- Seelman, KD. (2007). "Trends in Disability: Transition from a Medical Model to an Integrative Model." In Reynolds, CR & Fletcher-Janzen, E. Encyclopedia of Special Education. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Seelman, KD., Brabyn, J., Ortman, A. and Palmer, C. (2006 ). "Sensory Aids." Encyclopedia of Bioengineering, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.
- Seelman, KD. (2005). "Universal Design and Orphan Technology: Do We need Both?" Disability Studies Quarterly. 25 (3). Summer 2005.