REHABILITATION ENGINEERING AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

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About


The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology (RE&AT) Program helps people with disabilities improve their quality of life in the community, at home, at school, and at work.

Through its commitment to excellence in providing state-of-the-art engineering and technology services to consumers across the continuum of ADRS divisions, RE&AT works with individuals to find or develop assistive devices that will reduce or remove barriers they have due to their disabilities. RE&AT assists its consumers with the dignity they deserve, and with the goal of helping them achieve their independence in the forefront.

Services


For Work

  • Evaluations for physical access to computers using adapted workstations; voice-controlled software; adapted keyboards, mice, and trackballs; and advanced computer controls such as on-screen keyboards, eye gaze, and head pointing controls.
  • Job accommodations, such as office and industrial ergonomics, tools with adapted grips and functions, and custom designed jigs and fixtures to help position work items.

For School

  • Evaluations for educational technologies such as assistive reading and writing software for computers and tablets; advanced notetaking technologies such as apps and Smart Pens; apps to improve organizational, scheduling, and research skills, alternatives to written text; and alternative strategies and techniques to accommodate the needs of students in the classroom.

For Home and For Life

  • Evaluations for technologies to allow people with cognitive impairments to do everyday tasks such as multimedia devices to provide step by step instructions for daily living tasks, advanced wayfinding devices, interactive organizers, and management tools to help caregivers.
  • Positioning and mounting systems for augmentative communication devices, computers, and switches.
  • Low vision technologies such as screen magnifiers and readers; video magnifiers; light bulbs, light diffusers, and filters; and devices customized to accommodate vision impairments.
  • Training and support for all types of assistive technology devices and software.
  • Recommendations for home modifications including wheelchair ramps and lifts; door modifications such as widening, automatic openers, offset hinges and lever handles; adaptations for the bathrooms, kitchen, and bedrooms; and environmental control systems.
  • Custom software macros, document templates, and simple programs.
  • Custom design, development, and manufacturing of adapted devices made from wood, plastic, light metals, and electronics.
  • Designing and developing models for assistive technology that can be printed by anyone with a 3D printer. Visit Thingiverse.com for examples of 3D technologies.

FAQs


What is Rehabilitation Engineering?

ADRS’s Rehabilitation Engineering Specialists use the innovative and methodical application of scientific knowledge and technology to produce a device, system, or process, which is intended to satisfy the needs of individuals with disabilities in the areas of education, employment, mobility, and independent living.

What are Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology includes any device, strategy, knowledge, piece of equipment, software, product system, whether acquired off the shelf, modified, or customized that increases, maintains or improves the functional abilities of a person with a disability. Generally speaking, assistive technology does not include medical devices.

Why would I need Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology plays a vital role in helping Alabamians with disabilities to be more independent, productive, and included within social, educational, work, and community life. Assistive technology allows people to perform many tasks that would be difficult or impossible due to functional limitations caused by disability. It also enables people with disabilities to access goods and services with equivalent ease of access as their non-disabled peers.

Who is eligible?

Rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology services are available to anyone enrolled in one of the ADRS programs. These services are provided available across the state of Alabama, and can be provided at an ADRS office, or a consumer’s home, school, or work environment. Referrals for RE&AT services are made through a case manager, such as a social worker, vocational rehabilitation counselor, or community support specialist.

How can I find out more about Assistive Technology?

For further information concerning rehabilitation technology services in Alabama, email or call (800) 671-6837; TTY (800) 499-1816.

 Locations

ADRS State Office
602 S. Lawrence St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
P: (334) 293-7500
TFN: 800-671-6837
FAX: (334) 293-7383

VRS Office Locations

800.671.6837

Americans with Disabilities Act


ADA Hotline

1-800-205-9986

1-888-574-2257 (TTY)

Email us