Dr. Roger O. Smith is Professor and Interim Director in the Occupational Therapy, Sciences & Technology Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Director of the R2D2 (Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability) Center.
His Bachelors of Arts Degree from Goshen College in Indiana, USA is in Psychology/Communications. His Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy is from the University of Washington, USA. His Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA is in industrial engineering with a focus in human factors and health systems.
Dr. Smith has published and presented on topics of accessibility, universal design, assistive technology, and outcome measurement for more than 40 years. He has directed more than 35 funded projects supporting research, demonstration & training initiatives created new measures and devising new interventions related to disability and rehabilitation. He presented the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Eleanor Clarke Slagle Distinguished Lecture at the 100th Centennial of Occupational Therapy Conference in Philadelphia USA where he unveiled a new metaphysical theory as the basis of occupational therapy and that describes four types of technology relevant to OT as a foundational component in the science of occupation.
He has been a primary author of several software application including those used on smart devices such as AccessSlope., AccessRuler, AccessSound, AccessTools, myAccessTools, and “ahead of the times” software in the 1980s/90s called OTFACT.
Roger has actively participated in key leadership positions in AOTA, RESNA and GAATO, the Global Alliance of Assistive Technology Organizations. He is a Fellow of RESNA and the American Occupational Therapy Association, and an inducted member of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation Academy of Research. He has served as advisor on several national boards including those of RERCs and the NIH NABMRR and consults with the World Health Organization.