Assistive Technology Unit Services
Activities of Daily Living evaluations are performed to enable individuals with disabilities to utilize their abilities to maximize or maintain their independence at home. These services include an assessment of the home environment and a survey of issues that exist for the individual.
Adaptive Equipment referrals are typically requests for modification and/or custom designed equipment. An ATU clinician works with individuals to identify ways to meet these assistive technology needs.
The purpose of an augmentative and alternative communication or “AAC” is to provide individuals with the strategies and tools to communication more types of information in more situations with more communication partners.
AAC includes techniques and strategies, as well as communication aids such as communication books, boards and electronic devices (speech-generating devices) used to aid communication with people who are unable to communicate effectively through speech.
A computer is a tool that may be used to accomplish work, academic, communication and/or leisure goals. A Computer Access Evaluation by the Assistive Technology Unit may focus in on any one or more of the following areas:
• Examining one's motor abilities for inputting information into the computer, including identifying adaptations or alternatives to the standard keyboard and mouse.
• Given an individual's sensory needs, identifying adaptations or alternatives to the standard computer visual, sound and printed output, to assist the individual with using the computer to meet their intended work, academic and/or leisure goals.
• Identifying cognitive and sensory needs of an individual and matching those needs to appropriate software and/or hardware to assist the individual with meeting their educational or work goals. This includes identifying where and when the software/hardware will be utilized in order for the individual to successfully assimilate the adaptations into their environment.
Environmental Control involves the use of one device to control many others within a home or work environment. Individuals requesting assistance in identifying assistive technology for independent control of phones, appliances, doors and other electronics within the environment work with an ATU occupational therapist.
For Home Modification evaluations, an ATU rehabilitation engineer, working when appropriate with an occupational therapist and physical therapist, works with the individual and his or her family to determine what accessibility changes are needed at an individual's home.
These services range from assessment of an individual's positioning and mobility needs to final fitting and delivery of the recommended equipment. The process includes compiling the documentation necessary to secure funding from third party payers. The evaluation is performed by a team that includes a licensed physical therapist and a rehabilitation engineer both with specialized experience and training in the field of seating, positioning and wheeled mobility devices. These clinicians are also RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs). The Assistive Technology Unit's goal for each individual is to determine their unique functional abilities and relate this to positioning components and mobility devices that maximize the individual's level of independence.
Rehabilitation engineers work with the individual and his/her team to determine changes to existing equipment or the introduction of new equipment to the worksite. Occupational therapists and physical therapists are involved as appropriate.