Assistive Technology can be defined as the use of commercially-available, modified, and custom devices by individuals with disabilities to maximize independence. Successful use of Assistive Technology involves a process of Evaluation, Implementation, and Follow-up involving skilled professionals and consumers working together as a team.

The Assistive Technology Unit (ATU) is an interdisciplinary clinic of the Department of Disability and Human Development (DHD) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). ATU clinicians include occupational therapists, physical therapists, rehabilitation engineers, and speech-language pathologists, each having Assistive Technology as their area of concentration.

The ATU is a community-based service delivery program, serving over 90% of its clients in the individual's home, school, work, or recreation setting. A fleet of 7 Mobile Units is used to achieve this, making the ATU the largest mobile AT program in the country.

The ATU provides services in the following areas:

When recommending Activities of Daily Living equipment, the ATUÕs occupational therapy staff works with the client to determine what equipment is needed. This equipment is generally low-cost, low-tech in nature.

Adaptive Equipment referrals are usually handled by an ATU rehabilitation engineer, as it generically involves the modification of existing or new equipment.

Augmentative Communication referrals are usually handled by an ATU occupational therapist (to address any switch access issues) and a speech-language pathologist (to determine communication abilities, requirements, and appropriate communication aids).

Consumers receiving services in Computer Access work with an ATU occupational therapist and rehabilitation engineer, to determine the most appropriate combination of adaptive computer hardware and software.

Environmental Control involved the use of one device to control many others within a home or work environment, and is handled by an ATU occupational therapist.

Referrals for Home Modification are handled by an ATU rehabilitation engineer, working when appropriate with an occupational therapist and physical therapist, to determine what accessibility changes are needed at an individualÕs home.

Seating and Wheeled Mobility involves the specification of specialized seating components to provide proper support, appropriate mobility base for the clientÕs goals, and unique control systems for powered mobility bases. ATU rehabilitation engineers and physical therapists work with consumers in this area.

Consumers work with ATU rehabilitation engineers in the area of Worksite Modification, to determine changes to existing equipment or the introduction of new equipment to the worksite. Occupational therapists and physical therapists are involved as appropriate.

The ATU is located on the near-west side of Chicago, at 1640 West Roosevelt. Occupying over 6000-square feet of UICÕs IIDD Building, it is centrally-located to serve the entire northeast Illinois region. Services have been provided beyond this area when appropriate.

For more information, contact:

Glenn Hedman, PE, ATP
Assistive Technology Unit
Department of Disability and Human Development
University of Illinois at Chicago (M/C 626)
1640 West Roosevelt - Room 415
Chicago, IL 60608-6904
(312) 413-1555
(312) 413-1554 (TTY)
(312) 413-3709 (fax)
GHedman@uic.edu