A Gateway to Independence

Shepherd Center’s Center for Assistive Technologies works with patients to find innovative solutions to challenges, focusing on the individual’s injury or condition, daily activities, and personal preferences. “Our biggest goal is to remove barriers in the way of people living the life they want,” says assistive technology rehabilitation engineer, Jared Grier. “Being able to give people that ability, especially when they feel like they no longer can do something, is the most rewarding part of my job.” Offering close collaboration between therapists, assistive technology professionals, research teams, and engineers like Grier, the Center for Assistive Technologies includes the Access Technology Lab, Driving Evaluation and Rehabilitation Program, and Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic. 

Access Technology Lab 

The Access Technology Lab offers specialized expertise, personalized assistive devices, and technology solutions for living, working, and playing. It fosters independence in every-thing from switching on a light to calling for help to accessing a mobile device. “We do comprehensive evaluations to determine a patient’s function and goals, then provide treatment. We educate patients on potential solutions and trial them to see what works best,” says Graylyn Jones, OTR/L, an occupational therapist in the Access Technology Lab. “Nothing is one size fits all. We could have 35 patients with the same injury, and we'll probably have 35 combinations of assistive tech for each of them.”

Jones says assistive technology helps her patients in many ways, including returning to work, communicating with loved ones, and enjoy-ing their favorite pastimes. “We ask folks what they like to do, and they say, ‘Oh, I played video games with my brothers, but I can't anymore because of my injury,’” Jones says. “Getting to see how happy and excited they are when they get to do something they didn't think was possible is so fulfilling.” 

People who can benefit from assistive technology include those with:

• Mobility barriers due to traumatic injury, paralysis, amputation, or other conditions
• Visual barriers due to blindness or low vision 
• Hearing loss 
• Cognitive and learning disabilities 
• Speech or communication-related disabilities 
• Neurological conditions like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury 
• Older adults experiencing age-related challenges 

Driving Evaluation and Rehabilitation Program 

Shepherd Center’s Driving Evaluation and Rehabilitation Program helps people with disabilities regain or gain for the first time the indepen-dence that comes with driving. “Driving means so much to our patients,” says occupational therapist and certified driver rehabilitation specialist Lakisha Gray, MSOT, OTR/L, CDRS. “It gives them a better quality of life when they know they can have reliable transportation to return to work and go to medical appointments. They can leave the house to see friends or enjoy an activity. They can take some burden of care off loved ones by picking up the kids or groceries. It gives a sense of purpose and normalcy.” 

Gray conducts a driving evaluation, including a clinical assessment of cognitive, vision, and motor abilities. An on-road assessment is also com-pleted which includes discussing best vehicle options, determining assistive driving equipment that is compatible with patient’s function, and a drive using the equipment. “For example, we may find a person has decreased strength in their arms. We can implement different steering options so they can exert less effort to steer their car,” Gray says. “We have a fleet of vehicles that we can set up with the equipment they need so they can test it out and practice at Shepherd Center. We will train the patient until they feel totally comfortable and safe, including accom-panying them to get the equipment installed in their own vehicle and doing one more prac-tice run at the shop once it’s ready. 

Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic 

The Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic provides in-depth evaluations, custom fittings for first-time and experienced wheelchair users, and ongoing modifications and support. “It's a team effort between the therapist, patient, patient's caregivers and loved ones, and the equipment supplier,” Gina Toffenetti-Guertin, PT, ATP, explains. “We are all trying to determine what will give the patient the greatest independence, comfort, and safety.” Pressure wounds are a common health risk for people who use wheel-chairs. Therapists can use advanced pressure mapping technology to con-figure wheelchair parts to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers and ensure optimal pressure distribution. “There is all this tech out there that people may not know about that can change their lives,” Toffenetti-Guertin says. “For one person, it can look like using seat elevation to raise their wheelchair seat to cook a meal for their family at the stove. For another person, it can mean using power assist on a wheelchair to get to class on time and finish their degree.” 

 By Damjana Alverson