Helping Mobile Area Severely Disabled Project 2004 - Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team of Mobile, Alabama

Helping Mobile Area Severely Disabled Project 2004

Picture of wheelchair carrier and wheelchair Almost daily we get phone calls from desperate parents, wives, and caregivers desparate for technology services that are not available from ADRS, Medicaid, or other agencies. Often times these people can not even leave their homes because of the lack of a descent wheelchair or a van lift, and some do not even have a ramp out of their home. Many can not get into their bathroom, and others do not even bother to get out of bed because their caregiver can not afford to hurt themselves doing improper lifting. Mothers and fathers are injuring their backs by lifting their child in and out of bed, the car, or the bathtub. Virtually all these problems can be solved with the proper adaptive equipment.

The goal of the project, each year, is to increase the quality of life for about 120 of our most needy citizens by increased independence, lessened number of injuries, better home safety, and raise their educational and vocational potential. This project will assist low-income, quadriplegic, deaf, blind, and other severely disabled citizens by fully or partially funding the following:

Building or funding materials for wheelchair ramps

Computers and the necessary adaptations and training (screen reading software for the blind, voice or switch input for quadriplegics, educational software for special needs, and large monitors for low vision)
Blind, deaf, and low vision equipment (large displays, text enlargement, Braille devices, personal FM loops, TTYs)
Van repairs (that are used to transport a wheelchair)and modifications (hand controls, wheelchair lifts and restraint systems, raised roofs, and automatic door openers)
Home modifications (door widening, roll-in showers, and grab bars)
Switch-activated phones
Wheelchairs, parts and repairs (arm rests, upholstery, tires, batteries, and electronics)
Door openers with intercoms (increased home safety)
Aids to daily living (ceiling mounted lifts, walkers, intercoms, bath bench, braces, vestibular swings, and special utensils.)
Other devices, or modifications of equipment or environment that will enhance the quality of life of a technology-dependent disabled citizen

Funds received as of September 2004 --- $110,000

Our Sincere Thanks to:

A.S. Mitchell Foundation, Mobile, AL
Mobile Infirmary Foundation, Mobile, AL
Hearin-Chandler Foundation, Mobile, AL
Helen and Jeff Glaze Foundation, Mobile, AL
Crampton Trust, Mobile, AL
Daniel Foundation, Birmingham, AL
Caring Foundation, Birmingham, AL
Christopher Reeve Foundation
Alabama Power Foundation, Mobile, AL
Mary Josephine Larkins Foundation, Mobile, AL
Cunningham Charitable Foundation, Mobile, AL