|
|
|
Rehabilitation Engineering |
The Institute's rehabilitation engineers are reengineering lines of business to improve access to employment for people with physical, intellectual, memory, sensory and behavioral issues, while improving overall productivity and quality for the processes in question.
Productivity improvement techniques include:
Improvements to Manufacturing Methodology
Structuring modern lean manufacturing principles simplifies operations and helps people with disabilities integrate into a more productive process. For example, a complex sewing operation restructured to integrate lean principles with prompting and feedback built into each job allows people with disabilities to take on much more complex operations than they were before.
New Technology
The Institute uses technology to simplify the decision process to allow people with disabilities access to new jobs. This includes methods like context-sensitive talking bar code scanners to direct workers in shelf stocking at a commissary and tell them where to put things, eliminating the need for complex memory and cognitive processing. Additionally, RFID technology to aids in sorting of uniforms at a laundry facility simplifying the sorting process for people with cognitive issues.
Use of Jigs & Fixtures
The use accommodations can help people with disabilities efficiently complete tasks. These can include:
- A vacuum sweeper hooked to a power wheel chair allows a gentleman with low IQ and very limited motor control and range of motion to effectively clean a large wood and metal shop.
- Fixtures to hold WIP in place allow people with people with limited use of one limb to access previously inaccessible work.
Training
Rehabilitation engineers also conduct a variety of training to raise the awareness of how Assistive Technology can help provide skills and encouragement to CRPs. This includes informal on-site training to CRPs and overview classes at conferences.
To find out more about Rehabilitation Engineering activities, please contact Paul Nishman at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
|
|
Recent News
|
New Grant Opportunity to Support Training and Employment Services for Veterans |
May 4, 2012
The U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), has announced the availability of up to $12.8m in grant funding u... |
|
|
|
