September 1, 2016

by: Emily Hastings

Assistive Technology at UCP of Greater Cleveland

Assistive technology (AT) is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system…that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability.” They can range from “high-tech” (sophisticated electronics or computers) to “no-tech” (occupational, physical, and speech/language therapy, along with other therapy modalities) and anything in between. The intention is to assist clients in their everyday living tasks, communication, education, work and recreation. UCP of Greater Cleveland employs two in-house Assistive Technology Professionals (ATP) and many specialized therapists who are able to determine a client’s needs and help to find the most appropriate equipment for the individual and train them, as well as their caregivers, on how to use it. Technology may include, but is not limited to, eye gaze, trackballs, resized keyboards, switch access and software, word prediction, text-to-text speech output, magnification software, and speech recognition.

Assistive Technology for LeafBridge

UCP strives to continually seek better ways to engage children and give them access to the world around them. One of the main components of accomplishing this is through AT. LeafBridge therapists are able to do a full AT evaluation on a child to determine how they could benefit from adaptations of everyday items or use complex communication devices in order to interact with others. Agency therapists are not only using AT with children at UCP, but have also been contracted by local school districts to do full AT evaluations in the school setting for children with disabilities.

Assistive Technology for OakLeaf

OakLeaf offers AT with a focus on how it relates to employment. Our OakLeaf ATP provides on- and offsite assessments for workplace accommodations in order to help individuals obtain their first job or re-enter the workforce after acquiring an injury or disability. The agency is also able to help clients find funding sources for equipment they may need. Through this program, individuals receive computer skills assessments and training, help with computer access, adaptations to allow for more integration into the online and offline communities and office modifications.

 

Looking Forward

As the agency looks to the future, technology will be an increasingly important aspect of allowing individuals with disabilities to engage with their environment and become more independent. Using the skills of our ATPs, as well as our therapists, UCP’s two branches of service, LeafBridge and OakLeaf, will be collaborating in meaningful ways to support individuals of all ages and abilities. The AT program will be able to serve children and adults in all activities of their daily living: from everyday tasks like eating and getting dressed, to achieving personal goals, such as walking, driving, or finding employment.

---