Rebecca (Becky) Breaux, PhD, OTR/L, ATP
Assistant Research Professor - Department of Bioengineering
Bio & Research Focus
Becky is an is an Assistant Research Professor at the Center for Innovative Design and Engineering, University of Colorado Anschutz, where her research explores the intersection of disability and technology. Her doctoral research examined the factors shaping person-centered care in the provision of Complex Rehabilitation Technologies (CRT) and offered recommendations for policy reform. Her current research investigates how under-utilized technologies, such as dynamic seating systems and lying postural care management equipment, influence user outcomes and disability experiences. Her work advances user-centered field research that addresses social and systemic barriers in assistive technology provision, to promote better health and quality of life for people of all abilities.
Becky teaches courses on assistive technology to undergraduate and graduate students in the Biomedical Engineering program at CU Denver and she has presented on a variety of topics related to seating and wheeled mobility at regional, national, and international conferences. She has published articles in peer-reviewed journals as well as industry magazines on several topics. In addition to her academic work, she is an occupational therapist with more than three decades of clinical experience and she continues clinical work on a part-time basis. As a clinician, she has extensive experience working with individuals of all ages and with a variety of disabilities in the areas of seating and wheeled mobility, alternative access, and lying postural care management. She served as an executive board member for the Clinician Task Force for two years, and is actively engaged in advocacy work at both the state and federal levels.
User-centered field research
Best practices in CRT provision
The impact of dynamic seating on user health, function, and participation
Understanding caregiver interventions and sleep behaviors in children and young adults with cerebral
palsy
Education
PhD, Health and Behavioral Sciences
University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO
2024
M.S., Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
2001
B.S., Occupational Therapy, Minor in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
1995
Academic Positions
Assistant Research Professor
University of Colorado Denver, Department of Bioengineering
2024 - Present
Senior Research Instructor
University of Colorado Denver, Department of Bioengineering
2007 - 2020
Selected Publications
Publications (Peer Reviewed/Edited)
- Breaux, R. (2025). Stakeholder perceptions of policies, processes, and their implications in the provision of complex rehabilitation technologies: a qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2560671.
- Babinec, M. & Breaux, B. (2025). Power mobility categories and clinical indicators. In J. Minkel and M. Lange (Eds.), Seating and Wheeled Mobility: A Clinical Resource Guide, 2nd edition, (p. 251-274). Routledge.
- Breaux, R. D. (2024). Person-centered care or payer-centered care? An ethnographic study of an outpatient seating and wheeled mobility clinic (Order No. 31633473). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ University of Colorado at Denver; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I. (3143168198). Retrieved from https://aurarialibrary.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/em-person-centered-care-payer-ethnographic-study/docview/3143168198/se-2
- Breaux, R. & Rooks, R. The intersectional importance of race/ethnicity, disability, and age for flu vaccine uptake in U.S. adults. SSM-Population Health (19), August 2022, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101211
- Kenyon, LK, Jones, M, Breaux, B, Tsotsoros, J, Gardner, T, & Livingstone, R. American and Canadian therapists’ perspectives of age and cognitive skills for paedatric power mobility: a qualitative study. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, July 2019, DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2019.1606858.
- Kenyon, LK, Jones, M, Livingstone, R, Breaux, B, Tsotsoros, J, Williams, K. Power mobility for children: A survey study of American and Canadian therapists’ perspectives and practices. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 2018, 60: 1018–1025.
Publications (Non-Peer Reviewed)
- Breaux, B. Michael’s story: Three years on a couch (2025). New Directions: The Journal of Complex Rehab Technology, Vol 2025.5. nrrts.org/v525-rcs-bb/
- Breaux, B. & Morgan, L. “Rate Review Request for CPT 97755 – Assistive Technology Assessment For outpatient PT, OT, and ST Services.” Submitted letter/policy recommendations to Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee, July, 2025.
- Breaux, B. & Tamara Kittleson. “CTF Comments on Colorado Elimination of Telehealth DME Therapist Evaluations for Complex Rehabilitation Technologies (CRT).” Submitted letter/policy recommendations to Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing department, April, 2025.
- Lange, M. & Breaux, B. Dynamic wheelchair seating: Innovative design, clinical applications, paradigm shift (2025). New Directions: The Journal of Complex Rehab Technology, Vol 2025.3. https://nrrts.org/nd-v3-cpceu/
- Breaux, B. An appropriate wheelchair makes all the difference. In J. Kramme & C. Tschetter (Eds.) Frontline Initiative, Fall/Winter, 2024.
- Breaux, B. (2020). Making the Switch to a New Wheel Configuration on a Power Wheelchair? Proceed with Caution! Directions Magazine, 2020.5, 42–47. https://issuu.com/nrrts/docs/directions_202020v5-full_20mag
- Breaux, B. (2019, November 21). Council must unite around oil and gas [Editorial]. Broomfield Enterprise, A26/A29. Retrieved from https://broomfieldenterprise-co.newsmemory.com/.
- Breaux, B. Positioning strategies for a child with low muscle tone. Directions, The Official Publication of the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers, 2017.6, 38–41.
- Breaux, B. Using a power wheelchair to control mobile technology. Directions, The Official Publication of the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers, 2016.3, 40–45.
- Burne, B, Breaux, B. Power wheelchairs and young children. Exceptional Parent Magazine. May, 2013, 32–34.
Policy Work:
- Breaux, B., McLachlan, L., & Waugh, K. (2013). Colorado wheelchair benefit coverage standard: Manual wheelchair bases, power mobility devices, wheelchair seating and wheelchair options and accessories, [Four draft policy documents used for public review and comment by Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing]. Final revised and approved documents located at: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/hcpf/benefits-collaborative-approved-benefits-standards