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Professional assistive technology
services are provided through the University of Michigan Rehabilitation
Engineering Program (UMREP). Specific areas of service include: environmental
control; augmentative communication; computer access; computer literacy;
mobility, seating, manipulation aids; education; recreation; and vocational
rehabilitation. Evaluation, prescription, and training for assistive
technology are performed together with Rehabilitation professionals from
within the The Rehabilitation Engineers within the UMREP have certification from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) as Assistive Technology Practitioners (ATP). They have a thorough knowledge of commercially available systems and components in addition to engineering skills required for custom modification, design, and fabrication. An important part of their background includes disability and rehabilitation studies, physiology, anatomy, neurophysiology, psychology, medicine and other sciences needed to understand disability, evaluate client needs, and prescribe technology. From an engineering perspective, the UMREP Rehabilitation Engineers have training in electronics, mechanics and biomechanics, computer science, ergonomics, human factors engineering, and other engineering areas. The UMREP staff works closely with physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, orthotists and prosthetists, nurses, and other health professionals involved in rehabilitation. The patient population served by the UMREP covers a wide range of disabilities including spinal cord injury, head injury, cerebral palsy, myelodysplasia, neuromuscular disease, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Services are provided to patients and clients from a broad array of programs and referral sources. The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Michigan Medical Center offers services ranging from acute rehabilitation to community re-entry, independent living, and vocational programs. The PM&R Department has three separate inpatient services: Spinal Cord Injury, Adult Rehabilitation, and Pediatric Rehabilitation, as well as an adult Rehabilitation Unit within a community hospital. Other inpatients are referred from Medical Center Services including Neuro-Intensive Care, Medicine Intensive Care, Neurology, Surgery, Pediatrics, Arthritis, and others. Outpatients are referred from clinics throughout the UM Medical Center. The PM&R Department also has a number of community based programs including a comprehensive outpatient treatment facility, pediatric and adult head injury day treatment programs, the UM Orthotics and Prostheitcs Center, and the UM Spine Center. UMREP provides services to outpatients from these Programs as well as clients from outside referral sources and agencies including other hospitals, health professionals, vocational rehabilitation agencies, school systems, and personal referrals.
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UMHS HOME
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