Barbara E. Gibson
University of Toronto, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Papers
3
Total Citations
109
H-Index
3
About
Barbara E. Gibson is a leading scholar in disability studies and pediatric rehabilitation, whose work critically examines the social and experiential dimensions of assistive technologies. Her research centers on how children with neuromotor disorders, such as cerebral palsy, and their families navigate emerging interventions like robotic gait training. Gibson’s major contributions lie in foregrounding the voices of children and parents, challenging purely biomedical narratives. Her highly cited study, “What is it like to walk with the help of a robot?” (40 citations), reveals children’s complex perspectives on robotic technology, moving beyond clinical outcomes to lived experience. Similarly, her work on parents’ experiences (40 citations) highlights the pressures and hopes driving families to “try it all” in pursuit of walking. Gibson’s critical analysis of rehabilitation technology promotional materials (29 citations) exposes how these tools can inadvertently reinforce narrow representations of disability and normality. By integrating critical disability studies with qualitative inquiry, she has reshaped how rehabilitation professionals understand the ethical and social implications of their practice. Her work is essential reading for students and researchers interested in patient-centered care, disability justice, and the human impact of technological innovation in rehabilitation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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