32 Miss. Code. R. 1-13.0
Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as the application of technology to alleviate barriers that interfere with the lives of individuals with disabilities and is intended to help the individual maintain or enhance his or her ability to function personally, socially, and/or vocationally.
MDRS Rehabilitation Engineers and Rehabilitation Technologists are available to provide consultation on all AT referrals as well as perform initial evaluations and assessments, and set-up AT equipment, provide follow-up evaluations, design and fabricate original items, and provide specifications and final inspections for AT services. When necessary, referrals will be made to outside sources. Some AT services are provided by the Counselor without assistance from the AT program.
Definitions:
Agriculture Accommodation - This service refers to those services provided for MDRS clients that would like to be able to work or to continue to work in the agriculture field that also includes turf, forestry, logging, row crop production, timber processing, and custom machinery and lawn care services, and anyone working in a support industry such as processing facility, machinery dealership, farm supply business, pest management business, agricultural consulting services, etc.
Auditory Accommodation - This service assists with the enhancement of communication through AT in the environment and relationships of a person who is hearing impaired.
Augmentative/Alternative Communication - This service refers to the provision of a device to supplement or to replace natural speech and/or writing.
Computer Access - This service refers to the provision of computer hardware and/or software.
Durable Medical Equipment (Activities of Daily Living Devices) - This service refers to devices that help a client perform daily living activities.
Environmental Control Unit - This service refers to the provision of a specific kind of assistive technology that gives a client control over items in their environment.
Home Modification - This service refers to modifications to a client's home.
Job Site Accommodation - This service refers to the process of modifying or rearranging job tasks (parts of a job) to allow a person with a disability to continue to work.
Seating and Mobility - This service refers to devices that assist a client with personal mobility such as a wheelchair, scooter, or wheelchair seating components.
Vehicle Accommodation - Vehicle Accommodations are broken into four specific services to assist a client with driving a vehicle:
Driver Evaluation - This service refers to determining whether a client is able to safely drive a vehicle.
Vehicle Consultation - This service refers to recommendations as to what type of vehicle would meet the client's needs. This service would be provided for clients who do not currently own a vehicle.
Vehicle Assessment - This service refers to determining if a client's vehicle meets the MDRS policy for modifications and determining what modifications a client would need for a vehicle that they currently own.
Vision Aids (Non-Computer Related) - This service refers to the provision of devices used by an individual who is blind or has low vision that does not include a computer.
The Counselor should evaluate the client's need for AT services throughout the rehabilitation process. Examples of MDRS cases which may benefit from AT services include persons with mobility impairments, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairments, speech impairments, respiratory impairments, cardiac impairments, learning disabilities, hearing impairments, and other limitations which result in severe disability. A determination of the need for AT should be an integral part of all rehabilitation services including the application process, evaluation process, trial work period, plan development, provision of services, placement, and follow-up services.
32 Miss. Code. R. 1-13.0