Projects
Helping Mobile Area Severely Disabled Projects
Left: High level quadriplegic using a sip and puff switch operated
phone, which was purchased with the grant money.
injuring their backs by lifting their child in and out of bed, the car, or the bathtub. The animation on the left shows a mother loading her child 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 grandparents loading their granddaughter.
Accessible Playgrounds
We have helped obtain various grants to help fund accessible playgrounds in several Mobile County Elementary Schools. Robert Perry, our engineer, designed these playgrounds. In 2002 we helped request grants totaling over $32,000 towards wheelchair accessible playgrounds.
Maryvale School Playground
Maryvale Elementary School is located off of Dauphin Island Parkway. The special education students need a place to play that will be especially equipped for their ages and disabilities. If you would like to help, contact Mrs. K. Ellis at 251-221-1810.
Child on platform swing
Children playing in raised sandbox
Playground girl
Girl on swing
Technology Grants
Vision Grant
We have been awarded grants from the Bedsole Foundation to purchase adaptive
software, hardware, switches, and communication equipment for three local
schools for severely disabled students. In 2002, Katherine Hastings and Robert
Perry, with help from Eileen O'Donnell wrote a proposal to the Bedsole Foundation
and were awarded $25,400 for the provision of equipment, training, and services
to the blind and low vision students in Baldwin County, Alabama.
By
using funds from the grant, the students were provided with three CCTVs, two
laptops, four large monitors, and numerous specialized input devices. Several
software packages, including Jaws, ZoomText, and IntelliTalk II, were also
purchased to be used with the new technology.
Top Left: Student learning how to use one of the new CCTVs.
Right: Student learning to operate a computer using a head switch.
Bottom Left:Student learning how to use ZoomText using one of the new large
monitors.
Design Projects
Katherine
Hastings, Robert Perry, and David Cox worked together to design an improved
abacus for children and adults with motor impairments. The abacus is designed
with several special features in mind. First, it is large, making it easy
for people with various disabilities to use, and is easier to use in the classroom.
It can be converted from base 5 to base 10 easily, also making it a well suited
for teaching students. The sliders are also interchangeable to meet the needs
of different users. Finally, its mounting options are adaptable. It features
a table stand that will adjust the device from level to nearly perpendicular,
and also features "tracks" along all sides to allow accessories
or mounting hardware to be attached.
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© 2003 Children's Rehabilitation Engineering Team of Mobile, Alabama
