DisabilityAssessment Research Clinic

The University of Arizona's Disability Assessment Research Clinic is part of the Arizona Arthritis Center and has been in operation since 1994. In that time, the Clinic has conducted more than 3000 comprehensive, integrated psycho/social, neuropsychological, medical and vocational assessments directly related to assisting numerous public, private, state and federal programs in their work with individuals with medical, physical, mental, psychological, neuropsychological and psychiatric disabilities. The Clinic provides these services in numerous Arizona cities including Tucson, Phoenix, Yuma, Safford, Bisbee, Douglas, Nogales and Sierra Vista, using state-of-the-art assessment technology.

The primary goal of the Clinic is to keep people working. Additional goals include 1) assisting individuals in making valid decisions regarding rehabilitation planning related to re-employment, further education and/or training, 2) minimizing the medical, social and legal impact of work injuries, determining future employment potential , 3) assisting individuals who are identified as unable to return to work in obtaining economic support through long-term disability and/or social security.

The Clinic is directed by Dr. David W. Smith, D.ED., DABPS, DACFE, MACF, who has devoted his life to helping individuals with disabilities. Dr. Smith is a specialist in Disability Determination, having been a consultant for the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals and the Social Security Administration for many years. His experience includes special training in musculo-skeletal disease with major emphasis on the degree to which medically confirmed impairments interfere with physical function related to employment. He is the former Director of the Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Evaluation program at the University of Arizona.

Clinic staff includes,

Dr. Donald R. Ross, Ed.D., Licensed Psychologist, is the Director, Psychological/Neuropsychological Assessment. Dr. Ross has more than 40 years experience in the evaluation of intelligence, psychological aspects of numerous medical conditions, neuropsychological problems and physical capacities assessment as these areas relate to the vocational rehabilitation process. He is the former Director of the Vocational Evaluation program at the University of Arizona as well as the Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling program at Auburn University.

Dr. Rubin Bressler, M.D., Medical Consultant, provides medical evaluations for Clinic clients as well as medical consultation for Clinic Staff. Dr. Bressler has extensive experience in the areas of medical, physical, psychological and psychiatric assessment. He is the former head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Arizona Medical Center and founder of the Department of Pharmacology at UMC. He is a specialist in internal medicine and in the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. He is also a Pharmacologist and a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Psychiatry.

Dr. Stanley A. Levin, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., Medical Evaluation Specialist. Dr. Levin has also had extensive experience in the areas of medical and physical assessment, including extensive assessment of female worker compensation patients. He is a Diplomat, American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology (1974- Present), has been in private practice since 1972, has been associated with the Yuma Regional Medical Center, Healthsouth Out-Patient Surgical Center, Tucson Medical Center, Tucson Saint Joseph's Hospital, Tucson El Dorado Hospital.

Dr. Charles J. Rastatter, Ed. D., is the Director, Vocational Assessment. Dr. Rastatter has more than 40 years experience in the areas of psychological, physical capacities and vocational assessment of severely, multiply impaired individuals. He is a former faculty member of the Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program at the University of Arizona, former Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling program Emporia State University as well as the Director of the Counseling Bureau at that institution.

If you would like to contact the Disability Assessment Research Clinic, please call (520) 626-2982.