Initiative to Mobilize Partnerships for Assistive Technology Transfer (IMPACT) through Evaluation of AT Tech Translation and Knowledge Translation (KT) , 2018 - 2026, United States

The IMPACT Center, led by a team at the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology in partnership with key stakeholders, will perform research, development, and technical assistance activities to accelerate the commercialization of NIDILRR-funded rehabilitation technologies (RTs) over the course of a five-year period. Key stakeholders include people with disabilities, our Advisory Board, and entrepreneurial support organizations. The goal of this project is to serve as a comprehensive resource for RT innovators to commercialize their RTs. The objectives are to: (1) provide a multi-level technology transfer training program tailored for each innovator team; (2) provide access to stakeholder groups and entrepreneurial service organizations (ESOs) to inform RT designs and identify downstream commercialization resources; (3) maintain the NIDILRR Innovation Management System (NIMS) that provides key insights into factors associated with technology transfer success; (4) provide an evidence-based tool to evaluate technology transfer readiness for teams and innovations; and (5) provide ongoing technical assistance and dissemination activities to improve the awareness and capacity of NIDILRR grantees and others in the RT community to transfer technology. Anticipated outcomes include: (1) increased capacity of innovators to transfer technology; (2) increased readiness for technology transfer of RT; (2) increased rate of technology transfer; (3) novel RT products available for consumers; (4) novel companies generated with advent of products; and (5) and increased participation of RT users. The expected products are a multi-phased training intervention, the NIMS, a searchable map of ESOs, a RT user and provider registry, an annual report reflecting the historical success of technology transfer among NIDILRR grantees, and peer-reviewed publications.