Updated March 25, 2008

Helping Mobile Area Severely Disabled Project 2008

This will be our sixth project year! Because of the generosity of Alabama foundations in the year 2007, we were able to help over 50 families with services and equipment that are not available from ADRS, Medicaid, or other agencies. Mothers and fathers are constantly injuring their backs by lifting their child in and out of bed, the car, or the bathtub.

The animation on the right shows grandparents loading their grandchild and the wheelchair. This is repeated several times a day, especially if the parents transport their child to and from school. Click here to see parents loading their daughter and three solutions.

The school systems are often unable to provide essential adaptive equipment to many of our disabled students. Last year we purchased educational-related assistive technology for 16 students of Mobile & Baldwin County, helped over 14 families with ramps and home accessibility, purchased 5 wheelchair carriers as well as a wheelchair accessible platform swing, a home generator, a specialized tricycle, and various other services. In many of these requests we split the costs with other agencies such as Goodwill/Easter Seal and The Individual and Family Support Council.

The goal of the project, each year, is to increase the quality of life for about 100 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 oftware 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 March 2008 --- $32,000

Our Sincere Thanks to:

The A. S. Mitchell Foundation, Mobile, AL

The Crampton Trust, Birmingham, AL

The Caring Foundation, Birmingham, AL

The Alabama Power Foundation, Mobile, AL

This year we expect to help over 100 citizens. Below is a breakdown of targeted disabilities:

Spinal Cord Injury - 25

Brain Injury - 10

Spina Bifida - 3

ALS - 1

Cerebral Palsy - 43

Multiple Sclerosis - 2

Muscular Dystrophy - 2

Blind/Low Vision - 7

Deaf - 7

Total number of people helped in calander year 2003: 130

Total number of people helped in calander year 2004: 200

Total number of people helped in calander year 2005: 220

Total number of people helped in calander year 2006: 190

Total number of people helped in calander year 2007: 50

Some project photos

The Team purchased this ramp for the family of a 12-year-old child.















The Team helped purchase this teenager a hand-powered cycle.














The Children's Team helped this student by repairing her notebook, purchasing a printer and left-handed keyboard.














The Team was able to help this student by providing him a notebook computer. Because of his cerebral palsy it is hard for him to use a pencil or pen. The school system will supply the needed software.














The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team helped purhase this little boy an adapted bicycle with back support and other modifications.














The Team helped this student by providing her a notebook computer. Because of her cerebral palsy it is hard for her to use a pencil or pen. The school will provide the specialized software and additional training.














The Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team helped purhase this little boy an adapted bicycle with back support and other modifications.

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