Contact Information

Biography

Dr. Simpson received a BS in Computer Science from Virginia Tech in 1992.  At the University of Michigan he earned an MS in Bioengineering in 1994, an MS in Computer Science and Engineering in 1995, and a PhD in Bioengineering in 1997. Dr. Simpson joined Duquesne University in 2017 as Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Simpson teaches courses on assistive technology and research methods

Education

  • PhD, Bioengineering, University of Michigan, 1997
  • M.S., Computer Science & Engineering, University of Michigan,1995
  • M.S., Bioengineering, University of Michigan,1994
  • B.S., Computer Science, Virginia Tech, 1992

School

My teaching emphasizes a "learn by doing" approach. I rely heavily on educational technologies to create active, collaborative learning activities in the classroom.

Currently teaching:

OCCT 417 Fabrication of Assistive Technology: Hardware
OCCT 419 Fabrication of Assistive Technology: Softw and Elec
OCCT 421 Fabrication of Assistive Technology: Studio
OCCT 533 Scholarship of Practice
OCCT 541W Evidence-Based Practice
OCCT 550 Environmental Adaptations and Rehabilitation Tech
OCCT 574 Fieldwork Proposal

A common theme of Dr. Simpson's research is the development of algorithms to automatically adapt the behavior of assistive and educational technologies in response to changes in the needs and abilities of the user. Another consistent theme running through Dr. Simpson's research is the collection and analysis of quantitative data in real-world environments, either from sensors (in the case of smart wheelchairs) or user input (in the case of computer access and adaptive instructional tools). A third theme pervading Dr. Simpson's research is the development of tools that can be integrated into the clinical service delivery process.

Currently, Dr. Simpson is collaborating with Koester Performance Research to develop and evaluate ScanningWizard (https://scanningwizard.com/).

Recent funding
2016 Teaching and Learning Technology, New York Institute of Technology, Lumbar Spinal Palpation Simulator
2015 Phase II SBIR, National Institutes of Health, Model Based Software for Configuring Single-Switch Scanning Systems

RC Simpson. "An Interdisciplinary Assistive Technology Minor". Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering (RESNA), On-line Conference, September 2020

SE Wallace, EV Donoso Brown, RC Simpson, K D'Acunto, A Kranjec, M Rodgers, C Agostino. A Comparison of Electronic and Paper Versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Alzheimer's Disease and Associated Disorders. 33(3): 272-278, 2019

HH Koester, RC Simpson. Effectiveness and usability of Scanning Wizard software: a tool for enhancing switch scanning. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 14(2): 161-171, 2019.

RC Simpson, M. Maletic. "Switch-Activated MP3 Player". Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering (RESNA), Toronto, Canada, June 2019

P Viswanathan, RC Simpson, G Foley, A Sutcliffe, J Bell. "Smart Wheelchairs for Assessment and Mobility." In P Encarnação and A Cook (eds.), Robotic Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice. Taylor and Francis Group: Boca Raton, FL, 2017.

H Koester and RC Simpson. "Use of Scanning Wizard Can Enhance Text Entry Rate: Preliminary Results." Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe Congress, Sheffield, UK, September 2017

H Koester and RC Simpson. "Performance on the Scanning Wizard ‘Switch' Test: Switch Users and Controls." Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering (RESNA), New Orleans, LA, June 2017

P Viswanathan, RC Simpson, G Foley, A Sutcliffe and J Bell. "Smart Wheelchairs for Assessment and Mobility." In P Encarnação and A Cook (eds.), Robotic Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice. Taylor and Francis Group: Boca Raton, FL, 2017

H. Ka, RC Simpson. Empirical Evaluation of Circling Interface with Head-mounted Mouse Emulator Users. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 10.3109/17483107.2016.1151951 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17483107.2016.1151951#

E. LoPresti, A. Jinks, RC Simpson. Consumer Satisfaction with Telerehabilitation Service Provision of Alternative Computer Access and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. International Journal of Telerehabilitation. 7(2): 3-14, 2015. DOI: 10.5195/ijt.2015.6180.
http://telerehab.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/Telerehab/article/view/6180

HH Koester, RC Simpson. A Method for Enhancing Text Entry Rate with Single-switch Scanning. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development. 51(6): 995-1012, 2014, DOI: /10.1682/JRRD.2013.09.0201,http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/JOUR/2014/516/jrrd-2013-09-0201.html

RC Simpson. "Computer Access Technology for People with Disabilities: A Human Factors Approach." CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2013
ISBN: 9781466553712

HH Koester, RC Simpson, JS Mankowski. Software Wizards to Adjust Keyboard and Mouse Settings for People with Physical Impairments. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. 36(4): 300-312, 2013. DOI: 10.1179/2045772312Y.0000000049
http://www.maneyonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/2045772312Y.0000000049

R. Mankowski, RC Simpson, HH Koester. Validating a Model of Row-Column Scanning. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 8(4): 321-329, 2013. DOI: 10.3109/17483107.2012.721159. http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17483107.2012.721159

V Sharma, RC Simpson, EF LoPresti, M Schmeler. Clinical evaluation of a semi-autonomous smart wheelchair architecture (Drive Safe System) with visually impaired individuals. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development. 49(1): 35-50, 2012. DOI: 10.1682/JRRD.2010.03.0022.
http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/2012/491/sharma491.html

V Sharma, RC Simpson, EF LoPresti, M Schmeler. Driving backwards using a semi-autonomous smart wheelchair system (DSS): A clinical evaluation. Applied Bionics and Biomechanics. 9(4): 347-365, 2012. DOI: 10.3233/ABB-2011-0012

HW Ka, RC Simpson, Y Chung. Intelligent single switch wheelchair navigation. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 7(6): 501-506, 2012.
DOI: 10.3109/17483107.2011.652997. http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/17483107.2011.652997

A Rotondi, M Spring, J Grady, RC Simpson, J Luther, KZ Azebe, B Hanusa, G Haas. Use of a fractional factorial experiment to assess the e-health technology design needs of persons with dual diagnoses. Journal of Dual Diagnosis. 8(4): 277-282, 2012.
DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2012.723454

Books

RC Simpson. "Computer Access Technology for People with Disabilities: A Human Factors Approach." CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2013
ISBN: 9781466553712

J. Winters, C. Robinson, RC Simpson and G. Vanderheiden (Eds). "Emerging and Accessible Telecommunications, Information and Healthcare Technologies." RESNAPress: Washington, DC, 2002. 
ISBN: 0932101453

V. Mittal, H. Yanco, J. Aronis and RC Simpson (Eds). "Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence: Assistive Technology and Artificial Intelligence." Springer-Verlag Heidelburg: Germany, 1998.
ISBN: 978-3-540-64790-4

RC Simpson, "Using MIT AppInventor to Prototype Assistive Technology". 42nd Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering (RESNA), On-line Conference, September, 2020

V Balko, RC Simpson, L Emmrich, "Upper Limb Prosthetics: Use of Video Guides to Assist with Activities of Daily Living Performance". American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, On-line Conference, July 2020

RC Simpson, B Goldschmidt, "An Interdisciplinary Assistive Technology Minor Based on 'Making'". American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, On-line Conference, July 2020

RC Simpson, B Goldschmidt, "An Interdisciplinary Assistive Technology Minor Based on 'Making'". Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, King of Prussia, PA, October 2019

K Singleton and RC Simpson, "Teaching Cardboard Carpentry Within Higher Education Programs". Making AT for All Conference and Expo, Monroeville, PA, September 2019

RC Simpson, "Switch-Activated MP3 Player". Developer's Forum at 41st Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering (RESNA), Toronto, Canada, June 2019

M Rodgers, E Donoso Brown, S Wallace, RC Simpson, A Kranjec, K D'Acunto, C Agostino, & MR Zoeckler, "A comparison of computerized and paper and pencil versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)". American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA., April 2019

M Rodgers, C Agostino, E Donoso Brown, S Wallace, RC Simpson, K D'Acunto, A Kranjec, M Zoekler. "A Comparison of Computerized and Paper and Pencil versions of the MoCA", Pittsburgh Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2018

M Rodgers, C Agostino, E Donoso Brown, S Wallace, RC Simpson, K D'Acunto, A Kranjec, M Zoekler. "A Comparison of Computerized and Paper and Pencil versions of the MoCA", Duquesne Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA, March 2018

S Wallace, E Donoso Brown, RC Simpson, K D'Acunto, A Kranjec, C Agostino, M Rodgers, M Zoekler. "A Comparison of Computerized and Paper and Pencil versions of the MoCA", Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, March 2018

RC Simpson. "Mastery-Based Instruction within an Adaptive Instructional Environment", Pittsburgh Regional Faculty Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA, March, 2018

H Koester, RC Simpson. "Use of Scanning Wizard can Enhance Text Entry Rate", Annual Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference, Orlando, FL, January 2018

H Koester, RC Simpson. "Use of Scanning Wizard Can Enhance Text Entry Rate: Preliminary Results." Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe Congress, Sheffield, UK, September 2017

H Koester, RC Simpson. "Performance on the Scanning Wizard ‘Switch' Test: Switch Users and Controls." Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering (RESNA), New Orleans, LA, June 2017

H Koester and RC Simpson. "Enhancing Efficiency for People Who Use Switch Scanning." Proceedings of the CSUN Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA, March 2017

RC Simpson. "EdTech Roundtable", Faster than the Speed of Thought, New York, NY, October, 2016

H Koester, RC Simpson. "Scanning Wizard Software for Optimizing Configuration of Switch Scanning Systems", 39th Annual RESNA Conference, Washington, DC, July 2016

H Koester, RC Simpson. " Single-Switch Access: Tools and Principles for Enhancing Performance", Annual Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference, Orlando, FL, January 2016

RC Simpson, M Devine. "Online mastery-based and competency-based education approaches" NERCOMP Annual Conference, Providence, RI, March 2016

RC Simpson, C Ekanadham, J Rinderle, M Kronsberg. "Personalize My Education: Is Adaptive Learning There Yet?" NY EDTech Meetup, New York, NY, February 2016

RC Simpson. " Game-Based Biofeedback for OT and PT", Research Summit: Innovations in Technology for Children with Brain Insults: Maximizing Outcomes, American Physical Therapy Association, Section on Pediatrics, Alexandria, VA, October 2015

RC Simpson. "Using Technology to Engage Students in Distance Learning Classrooms" MOOCs and Beyond, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China, May 2015

RC Simpson. "Game-Based Biofeedback for OT and PT", Virtual Reality, Video Games, And Physical Disabilities, American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) annual meeting, San Diego, CA, September 2014

RC Simpson, D Anson, E Call, M Linden, R Smith, G Vanderheiden. "A Debate: Assistive Technology Should be Universally Designed" 37th Annual RESNA Conference, Indianapolis, IN, June 2014.

HH Koester, RC Simpson. "A Method for Enhancing Text Entry Rate with Single-Switch Scanning" 37th Annual RESNA Conference, Indianapolis, IN, June 2014.

RC Simpson. "Participation on 'both ends' of distance learning classrooms" NYIT Tech Talks, February, 2014.

HH Koester, RC Simpson. "Toward a Method for Enhancing Text Entry Rate with Single-Switch Scanning" Annual Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference, Orlando, FL, January 2014.

RC Simpson. "Adaptation and Assistive Technology" Provost's Discovery Luncheon, NYIT, Old Westbury, NY, November 2013

J Weisman, R Pagadala, RC Simpson, J Anshultz, D Goodwin. "Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology Careers." 36th Annual Conference on Rehabilitation Engineering (RESNA), Seattle, WA, June 2013

Richard Simpson's practice interests focus on assistive technology for people with disabilities. He is particularly interested in teaching occupational therapists to use the tools and techniques from the broader "Maker Movement" (e.g., 3D printing, affordable microprocessors) to fabricate and customize assistive technologies for their clients. His additional scholarly interests include evidence-based practice and educational technologies.