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Bloorview Research Institute

Scientist Profiles

Image of Fraser Shein

Name: Fraser Shein

Title: Scientist

Theme: Innovation & Development

Education:

Ph.D., Industrial Engineering (Human-Computer Interaction), University of Toronto

University Position:

Assistant Professor, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto

Research Interests:

Advanced computer accessibility technology, natural language processing as applied to writing software, speech recognition, and consumer-driven reporting of assistive technology experiences.

Current Funding:

Title: Using TopicSense™ and GrammarSense™ to enhance WordQ® and to create ThoughtQ™ software
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Agency: HTX-OCE-IRAP Business Partnership Program, ($400,00)

Title: Semi-Automatic Generation of WordQ® Word Prediction Topics
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Agency: CITO-HTX Business Partnership Program, ($248,000)

Selected Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications:

Blackstien-Adler S, Shein F, Quintal J, Birch S, Weiss P. Mouse manipulation through single-switch scanning. Assist Technol. 2004; 16(1): 28-42.

Kaiser A, Boschen KA, Reid D, Shein F. SCI and assistive devices: understanding the challenges of today’s parents. ASIA and the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), Boston, June 2006.

Nantais T, Tonack M, Shein F, Stoddart P, Papp G. Consumer experiences with assistive technology for quadriplegia. American Spinal Injury Association / International Medical Society of Paraplegia First Joint Meeting. 2002

Shein F, Marshall P, Nantais, and Nishiyama R. Beyond Single-Switch Row-Column Scanning With WiViK On-Screen Keyboard. Proceedings of 2003 Annual International Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, Los Angeles, CA. 2003.

Shein F, Birch S, Nantais T, Nishiyama R, Follansbee B. SpeakQ: Innovation in speech recognition to support writing by students with learning disabilities. Proceedings of the Closing the Gap Conference, Minneapolis, MN. 2004.

Commercialization:

SpeakQ™ speech recognition plug-in to WordQ see www.wordq.com, Quillsoft Ltd, Toronto, ON.

WordQ® writing software for Windows (multiple releases; now available in English, French, and German) see www.wordq.com, Quillsoft Ltd, Toronto, ON.

WiViK® on-screen keyboard software for Windows (multiple releases; now available in English, French, German and Norwegian) see www.wivik.com, Prentke Romich Company, Wooster, OH.

Contact Information:
Bloorview Research Institute,
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
150 Kilgour Road
Toronto, Ontario M4G 1R8

Tel: 416-424-3855, extension 3538
Fax: 416-425-1634

E-mail: fshein at hollandbloorview dot ca

Note: Copy the above e-mail address into the To field of your e-mail message and reconstruct the e-mail address by removing the spaces and replacing the “at” and “dot” with the proper symbols (@ and .) respectively.

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