Students with Disabilities

Application Process

First off, we really want you to apply to this human-machine systems graduate program.  If you are interested in the program, but you are not sure if you will be able to participate, please contact us by clicking on the button below.  If there is a barrier to your participation, we want to work with you to break that barrier down.  Even if you are almost certain that you cannot participate, contact us anyway.

If You Are Selected

If you are selected to participate the program director will call you to welcome you to the program.  We will discuss options for transportation to the program, possible lab assignments, living arrangements, and getting around Cleveland.  You will have the option of speaking with our Office of Disability Services to discuss any needs you have. 

Typically we ask students to either accept or decline our offer within two weeks after we offer you a position.  We realize that it might take more than two weeks to figure out some of the details or participating, so do not worry about meeting this deadline.  We will hold your spot until you have all the information you need to make your decision. 

Life in Graduate School

This is not a typical graduate program where you have a single research advisor and work only with students in your own academic discipline.  Your thesis/dissertation committee will include faculty from multiple disciplines and a person with a disability.  We can offer you support through our Office of Disability Services and our network of colleagues, alumni, and current students with disabilities.  Our Community of Convergence Practice is designed to open conversations about disability and all things related. 

Testimonials

Dawud (current graduate student)

I am currently going for my MS in Biomedical Engineering at Cleveland State University. I was going for my bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering when I was accepted for the RE@CSU Research Experience at Cleveland State University. I had been interested in learning about Rehab Engineering for a while, but didn't have any real research experience, so I was excited to give it a shot. I was born was Cerebral Palsy, which sparked my journey into the Biomed field. From a young age I wanted to gain the knowledge to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, including myself.

Initially I was not expecting to be able to participate in the program, funny enough not due to my disability but because of the fact, that I would not be able to live on campus during the program. My elderly grandmother and nephew live with my immediate family, and I have the responsibility to help out with them, especially in mornings, getting them moving and ready for the day. Lucky, I lived close enough to campus to easily commute. Thankfully the program founder Dr. Schearer was very accommodating to my situation, still allowing me to participate. Truly all of the coordinators and fellow program participants were understanding, making sure I was included in all activities. Among my favorite was the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery visit where we had the opportunity to watch a surgeon perform a surgery on a living person, which was one of the most special experiences I've had the pleasure to witness. The program overall also had an extra unique impact on me because this was my first time really out and about after COVID 19 lockdowns.

During this three-month period my primary project was "IMU-EMG Instrumentation and Sensor Fusion", where I worked under the legendary Dr. Antonie van den Bogert, learning strategies & skills related to human sensors and signal processing, I still use to this day with my current research.

One very important part of the program was the weekly seminars where we were exposed to the different sections and options we could explore in Rehab Engineering, as well as experiences from users of various assistive devices. This alone spun out so many opportunities: Including starting my first real job (after meeting a CEO I met during a seminar), spinning out further into getting my first car, and even further by giving me a background for other research opportunities.

I found a strong love for research, seeing the impact I could have on people's lives. To be clear this program was life changing! I can't recommend it more!