Assistive Technology Services Adult Services Pediatric Services Assistive Technology Services Rehabilitation Physician (Physiatrist) Augmentative Communication Driving Rehabilitation Services Adaptive Seating Rehabilitation Engineering Technology Access Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is used to help people with communication challenges. It is all about providing strategies and communication aids that support or replace someone’s speech when they can’t rely upon it to communicate. Communication aids that ‘talk’ are sometimes called Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs) or Speech Output Devices. The Driving Rehabilitation Services program is a provincial rehabilitation service with an emphasis on driver evaluation and vehicle adaptation assessment. The driving evaluation helps to determine the client’s potential to begin or resume driving. The program enables clients with a motor, perceptual or cognitive disability to maintain or regain their vehicle driving abilities, to help them develop the skills to drive and evaluate their vehicle adaptation needs if required. Who is eligible for Driving Rehabilitation Services? Clients ages 16 and over whose physical or cognitive impairments may interfere with the safe operation of a Class 5 vehicle. Clients who require accessible vehicles or equipment to help them transfer into a vehicle or transport their wheelchair in a vehicle. Who conducts the driving evaluation? Evaluations are completed by an occupational therapist (OT) who has completed the McGill University Graduate Certificate in Driver Rehabilitation. The driving evaluation is not a medically insured service and there is a fee of $200. You can claim the cost that you pay as a health expense on your income tax. There is no fee for the vehicle adaptation assessment for a passenger. What does the driving evaluation include? An in-clinic evaluation which takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The client’s physical, cognitive and perceptual abilities are evaluated. Rules of the road are also evaluated. An on-road evaluation (functional evaluation) is completed by the occupational therapist in collaboration with a licensed driving instructor. The on-road evaluation may begin in a parking lot. The evaluation is completed in a vehicle equipped with a dual brake and the necessary adaptive driving equipment if recommended. It takes approximately one hour to complete. What if I need to drive with adaptive equipment or require training to improve my skills? Driver training may be recommended for those clients who need to learn a new skill (driving with an alternative method) and/or improve driving habits and behaviors. There is a cost for training. Who receives the results of my driving evaluation? The results of the evaluation are reviewed with the client and a family member before being forwarded to the referring physician (or other client requested professionals) and the Department of Justice and Public Safety Motor Vehicle Branch (if required). How can I be referred? A physician including ophthalmologist and nurse practitioner referral isrequired. Other documents that may be requested include reports from: Ophthalmology, Occupational therapy, Psychology, Physiotherapy, and Speech language pathology. Contact Us Attn: Driving Rehabilitation Services Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation 800 Priestman Street Fredericton, N.B. E3B 0C7 Tel: 506-447-4214 Fax: 506-447-4160 Email: Danielle.Coleman@HorizonNB.ca What is the Adaptive Seating Service? The Adaptive Seating Service provides in-depth assessment and consultation by an Occupational Therapist. This service is provided to adults and children with a physical disability who have specialized positioning and mobility needs. Experienced technicians design and adapt wheelchairs, seating systems and other devices to meet our client’s needs. Who we are Our staff includes: 2 Occupational Therapists, 2 Technicians/Industrial Mechanics 1 full-time Administrative Assistant Who we help We provide this service to adults and children with a physical disability who have specialized positioning and mobility needs. We provide service on site at Stan Cassidy Center for Rehabilitation and through videoconferencing and/or outreach visits. Services we offer We offer assessment, consultation, perscription, training and education related to: Mobility Devices: simple-to-complicated manual and power wheelchair and stroller prescriptions, modification of existing mobility devices, fabrication of customized accessories. Seating and Positioning: design and fabrication of simple-to-complex inserts, seat and back cushions, specialized headrests, footrests and arm supports. Staff are certified in providing custom seating inserts (countour u, silhouette). Alternate Positioning: modification of alternate positioning devices in order to meet the client’s specific needs. Examples are school chairs and bathing devices. Augmentative Communication System Mounting Devices: fabrication and/or installation of mounting devices for communication systems and integration with manual and power mobility devices. Pressure Mapping: A pressure map shows pressure distribution on sitting surfaces. It is a tool used when choosing or comparing different cushions and back supports for those at risk or with an existing pressure sore. How to refer Clients must be referred by their family doctor or specialist. A therapist or client can initiate the referral by using the Reahbilitation Request for Services Form, but a doctor must approve it. Other documentation may be requested including: client and/or family questionnaire information from other professionals involved, including: summary of relevant information from occupational therapy, other rehab services (physiotherapy, recreation therapy, clinical dietetics) relevant information from school or employment relevant information from other stakeholder agencies (e.g., MD, MS) What is the cost of the service? There is no charge for any services offered by the Occupational Therapists. Funding for the technician’s time and materials used is billed to government agencies, private insurance companies and/or non-profit organizations. We can assist with funding applications. FAQs What is the waiting list for a seating assessment? Normal wait time is approximately 4 months. Urgent requests will be considered. What is the referral process? A physician must sign the referral to the Adaptive Seating Service. Once a referral is received questionnaires will be sent to the client and/or caregiver and to their community therapist. When the questionnaires are received by the Service the client’s name will be added to the waiting list. The client will be contacted by phone to schedule an appointment date. What should the client bring to the assessment? The client should bring any mobility device and insert that they are currently using, any trays, or relevant equipment and communication devices that will be used with their mobility device. Contact us For more information on our services, how to refer, the status of your referral, or your appointment, please contact us at 506-452-5411. General inquiries and mail may be directed to: Attn.: Adaptive Seating Serivce 800 Priestman Street Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 0C7 Tel.: 506-452-5411 Fax.: 506-452-5374 Email: SCCR.adaptiveseating@HorizonNB.ca What is Rehabilitation Engineering? Rehabilitation (“Rehab”) Engineering is one of Horizon’s Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation’s (SCCR) Assistive Technology Services (ATS) provided to clinicians who are seeking specialized technical solutions for their clients living with disabilities. Services range from informal technical guidance and consultation to formal engineering work in the form of custom designs and modifications. Who we are Rachelle Bernier, a biomedical mechanical engineer, provides rehabilitation engineering services at the SCCR. Who we help Rehab Engineering is available to all SCCR clinicians, adult or pediatric. External clinicians can also access Rehab Engineering for their clients, but first must refer them to SCCR outpatient services following the instructions provided in the How to refer section below. Services we offer Rehab engineering services are directed primarily toward specific client needs, and also for SCCR departmental support for technology that may help a large number of clients. Services include, but are not limited to: Custom designs (Electrical/Mechanical/Biomedical) and production of unique devices Modifications/Adaptations of devices owned by, or obtained for, clients 3D printing, scanning and CNC milling for rapid prototyping and reverse engineering Design and assembly of small electrical devices Technical Guidance for refining a search or specification of specialized technology How to refer Internal SCCR clinicians may request Rehab Engineering service by submitting a work order form including the following information: Clinician/department contact information Client name and diagnosis (if applicable) Pertinent dates (discharge, appointment date, returning to school, etc.) A description of the problem that needs to be solved and specific design parameters that may need consideration (range of motion, strength, duration of use, location of use, etc.) A brief description of existing or similar solutions that were researched or tested that did not meet the clinician’s or client’s needs. External External clinicians may contact an SCCR clinician to discuss specific technical needs of a client. ATS clinicians are consulted to determine if existing technology may address the technical need. If no commercial solution is available, the external clinician must refer their client to outpatient services using the following processes: adult or pediatric. Clients will be referred internally to Rehab Engineering. Research The Rehab Engineering department conducts and participates in various research to ensure that the latest technologies and best practices are available for our clients. Rehab Engineering has been involved with technology aspects of research surrounding adaptive gaming and smart home. Rehab Engineering has also initiated research and development projects for the advancement of internally designed prototypes, and make them available to all Canadians with disabilities. Contact us Attn.: Rehabilitation Engineering Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation 800 Priestman St. Fredericton, N.B. E3B 0C7 Administrative Assistant Tel.: 506-443-2178 Fax: 506-447-4379 Email: SCCRrehabengineering@HorizonNB.ca Construction of the guitar fretting prototype. Custom 3D printed joystick toppers. Custom 3D printed toothbrush adaptor for ease of use. Custom switch modifier for specifying switch output duration and type. Switch adapting a dune racer for the early mobility project. Switch adapting a stapler for occupational use. A patient plays guitar using the first guitar fretting prototype. Technology access occupational therapists find solutions to make life easier and help people to be more independent. Technology access is any form of software, hardware or system that helps a person to maintain, improve or increase their capabilities. Technology access might help someone to continue to work by providing an alternative way of controlling their computer, cellphone or tablet. Technology access might also enable someone to answer the door and turn on the lights in their own home independently.