ADAPTIVE COMPUTING LAB

Purpose

The mission of the ACLab is to provide assessment and training in computer use in an effort to facilitate community integration and improve quality of life. Our vision is to create an environment that will promote the use of technology among people with disabilities and ensure that individual needs are matched with appropriate technology.

To achieve our mission and vision, we adopted the following approach for fostering technology use among disabled: 1) encourage access to technology, 2) increase participation in the use of technology, and 3) improve function and health. We believe that assessment and training in our ACLab are crucial for achieving the first two critical steps.

Assessments and training are available to all patients who receive care at Methodist Rehab Center and our Specialty Care Center.

Staff

George Gober, Assistive Technology Associate, staffs the ACLab. Gober came to Methodist in 2007 to set up the ACLab. He has certifications in Assistive Technology (ATACP from Cal-State Northridge and Certificate of Assistive Technology from Louisiana Tech), graduate level courses in Biomedical Engineering, and computing certifications (A+, Net+, MCP, and MCSA). He has eight years of adaptive computing experience in a state Vocational Rehab for the Blind agency, a private rehabilitation facility, and a federal Tech Act Project.

The ACLab calls upon staff Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists and Neuro-Psychologists for their input. A Therapeutic Recreation Specialist assists Gober in the adaptive computing training and oversees recreational computer use. Additional support for the interface of wheelchair and adaptive computing devices is provided by MRC’s Assistive Technology Clinic and the Biomedical Engineering Department, including custom-made adaptations.

Equipment

The ACLab was created and equiped in 2008 with an Excelerator Grant from AT&T. In 2010 the capabilities of the ACLab were greatly enhanced the addition of adaptive hardware and sofware with a $37,500 grant from the Neilsen Foundation. For more information about that grant, see page five of the Methodist Rehabilitation Ways and Means "Now I Can..." Edition. A PDF download of the publication is available below.

The Adaptive Computing Lab features:

5 variable height computer workstations

multiple computer platforms: Windows and Mac, iPad, desktops, laptops

50+ adaptive and alternative keyboards and mice

physical input orthotics; handsticks, mouthsticks and headsticks; conductive othotics for iDevices

50+ adaptive software programs and apps

50+ switches

mounting devices for tables and wheelchair, rolling mounts

ergonomic equipment

Information

For more information regarding the Adaptive Computing Lab contact:

George Gober at ggober@mmrcrehab.org.

Articles

Ways and Means Now I Can...Edition Winter 2010 available as a downloadble PDF file see page 5: "Grant funds improvements for adaptive computing lab"
Ways and Means Synergy Edition Winter 2009 available as a downloadble PDF file see page 22: "Finding His Voice"
Ways and Means Assistive Technology Edition Summer 2008 available as a downloadble PDF file see page 18: "Computer Matchmaking? "

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