Rehabilitative engineering-a new era.

Rehabilitative engineering has entered a new era. There is growing awareness, within the professions involved and among the general public, that science and technology have helped some of the physically disabled and can be applied more effectively to improve the quality of life for many others. The mounting concern over the high cost of acute and chronic health care is coupled with increasing awareness of the economic, as well as personal, benefits of investment in devices, techniques, and training that can free the seriously disabled from dependence on others. There is a need not only to continue but to strengthen an integrated program, making maximum use of the unique qualities of the nationwide Veterans Administration program, not only to serve disabled veterans directly , but to launch new developments, establish high standards, and disseminate results effectively so that all of the disabled may benefit. The term "rehabilitative engineering " (or "rehabilitation engineer-ing" as used by others) is itself not totally clear. It is likely that some name that will mean the same thing to all concerned will evolve—that happened when the word "orthotics " was chosen to cover the art and science of prescribing or designing "orthoses, " a term replacing numerous names such as splints, devices, supports, braces, orthopedic appliances, etc. "Orthotics " and "orthoses " are now routinely used and well understood in many countries and disciplines. Beginning with the development of Rehabilitation Engineering Centers under sponsorship of the Social and Rehabilitation Services, and continuing under the Rehabilitation Services Administration of