HabITec: The sociotechnical space

About the Project

Why is HabITec needed?

There are million of products, technologies and devices that could be used by people with disabilities to improve their lives, support their recovery and promote independence in the context of rehabilitation and in their own homes. People with disabilities often are not aware of how these products can be relevant to them or how it can enhance their quality of life. 

What is HabITec?

HabITec is a safe socio-technological space where researchers, designers, developers, practitioners and consumers collaborate to provide tailored and innovative technological solutions. It is an initiative by the Hopkins Centre and the Occupational Therapy department at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. It is a virtual space as well as a physical space and the HabITec Lab will be located at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. 

How will HabITec improve lives?

Ensuring a practical space for sharing and integrating ideas and knowledge among all stakeholders. 
Providing support for practitioners, consumers, their families and carers to trial technology and enable participation through meaningful activities. 
Allowing opportunities for stakeholders to test, trial and refine new technologies to achieve meaningful goals. 
Enhancing ongoing support for continued updating and use of new technology as well as linking in other agencies in the community

Click here to view the latest HabITec Clinical Fellowship presentation from December 2019

 Click here to download Project Flyer

Organisations and collaborators

HabITec is a joint initiative of The Hopkins Centre and the Occupational Therapy Department and Division of Rehabilitation at Metro South Health, and Griffith University.

In collaboration with this joint initative, the project is collaborating with the Innovation Design Centre, Griffith University; Microsoft Health and other valued Hopkins Centre Affiliate Partners and Ambassador representatives.

Click below to download related project flyers

BEEHIVE Neurorehabilitation Lab

HabITec Project presentation at National Disability Summit

The Hopkins Centre Researchers Camila Shirota spoke at the National Disability Summit in August. Camila spoke about how the HabITec project is "Reimagining Disability through Co-Design", by implementing co-design in the context of rehabilitation technology development. It was a timely and relevant presentation, as co-design was mentioned by multiple other speakers as a critical element to successful initiatives, and for future initiatives, to better consider the needs and requirements of multiple stakeholders. Camila presented a number of case-study examples of HabITec projects, as well as the framework that guides HabITec's co-design approach. Despite being the only Engineer in the room, Camilla's presentation easily engaged the audience, who related to the struggles of up-taking technology in rehabilitation and the need for improvements in this field.

 View the PDF version of the slides from Camila's presentation here. 

HabITec Presentation at Princess Alexandra Hospital's annual Sustainable Health Symposium

On Wednesday August 24th representatives from HabITec, The Acquired Brain Injury Transitional Rehabilitation Service (ABITRS) and The Metro South Pain Rehabilitation Centre (MSPRC) presented a 90-minute session at The Princess Alexandra Hospital Health Symposium. The session was chaired by Nick Aitcheson from the MSPRC and Claire Panagoda from The Spinal Injuries Unit.

The theme for the symposium this year was sustainability, and the rehabilitation session focused on the way that community integration can make healthcare more sustainable. ‘Colouring Outside the Lines’ represents the blurring of boundaries and unification between ‘community’ and ‘healthcare’; an imaginative and individual approach to care; a sharing of responsibility and support; and a vibrancy of intent and motivation.

 Click here to view the HabITec Team's presentation.