Name: Tyrone Scales
Program: Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD)
Supervisor: Dr. Ben Mortenson
Tell us a little bit about your lab!
I am a part of the Mortenson Lab led by Dr. Ben Mortenson. Our lab has a mix of experience bringing together different backgrounds to work on research related to aging, assistive technology, outcome measurement, and social participation for disabled adults. The research addresses overlapping needs of four populations: individuals with SCI, assistive technology users, residents of residential care facilities, and both formal and informal caregivers. The scope of this research helps to highlight and connect activities of daily living to effects of policy implementation and what that means for those affected.
What project are you currently working on?
I work on the Towards Barrier-Free Communities: A Partnership for Improving Mobility, Access And Participation (MAP) Among People With Disabilities grant project which has three streams of focus; navigation, transportation, and social participation. Currently, I am working on a systematic review for outdoor accessibility informed by a transportation policy scan that we conducted using the Disability Policy Lens. I am also part of the team looking to conduct a project this summer on the use of bike lanes and other shared pathways by mobility device users.
What do you like to do outside of academia?
My partner and I both like to spend a lot of time with nature. One of my favorite things to do is to just wander around with her to explore parts of a city both new and familiar to us and talk to people. When the weather does not allow that either because of concerns for her wheelchair in the rain or my extreme dislike of the cold, I spend time playing video games and enjoy cooking while our cat supervises. Prior to COVID, basketball was one of my key hobbies and coping activities but I have not quite worked back up to engaging with that again.
Congratulations Tyrone on being our featured Student of the Month for May! Interested in seeing what else our Rehabilitation Sciences students and trainees are working on? Stay tuned for our next feature!