Jacquie Ripat

Dr. Jacquie Ripat is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Manitoba’s College of Rehabilitation Sciences. She holds dual leadership roles as Vice-Dean (Academic Affairs) in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and Associate Dean (Research) in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences. Her research focuses on assistive technology’s role in enhancing community participation and accessibility for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing environmental modifications and interdisciplinary collaboration. Ripat’s work spans pediatric and geriatric populations, addressing mobility challenges, inclusive design, and technology integration.

Education: PhD (Applied Health Sciences), MSc (Rehabilitation), BMR (Occupational Therapy), all from the University of Manitoba. Cross-appointments include Biosystems Engineering (Price Faculty of Engineering) and ENRRICH (Excellence in Neurodevelopment and Rehabilitation Research in Child Health).

Research Interests: Dr. Ripat explores assistive technology’s impact on daily life, including power mobility devices for children, adaptive gaming technologies, and smart home systems for aging populations. Her studies employ qualitative, participatory, and mixed-methods approaches, collaborating with engineers, architects, and designers to create inclusive solutions. Key projects include POWER UP (PMD mobility studies) and Level-Up (adaptive gaming for children with limb differences).

Awards & Grants: Active in research networks such as the Centre on Aging and Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research. Recent grants include the ENRRICH Catalyst Grant supporting the POWER UP study. Her work has been featured in news articles discussing wheelchair technology advancements and technology-assisted living initiatives.

Advising & Mentorship: Accepting master’s and PhD students interested in assistive technology, disability studies, and environmental design. She emphasizes interprofessional education and client-centered care in her teaching and mentorship.

Labs & Teams: Leads the Technology for Assisted Living (TALP) initiative at the University of Manitoba, focusing on aging-in-place solutions. Collaborates with CHRIM (Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba) on child health rehabilitation projects.