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Raj Pagadala, ATP, RET, CEAS IIAT Services Director
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation AgencyVocational Rehabilitation Division
Assistive Work Technology (AWT)
Job Accommodations –Georgia VR Clients
1. Cashier @ Driver thru – Friedreich’s Ataxia
2. Cashier @ Retail Store – Spinal Cord Injury
3. High School Teacher ‐ Arthrogryposis
4. Administrative Assistant ‐ Low vision
5. Greeting Card Merchandiser – Low Vision
Case 1: Cashier –Fast Food Drive Thru Window
AT Team: Scott Barr, Rehab Engineer & Wayne Ammons, Rehab Technician
• 21 year old• Friedreich’s Ataxia• Muscle Weakness in Upper and Lower Extremities
• Uses a manual wheelchair
• Barriers:– Working position – Standing or Workstool
– Cash Register not in reach
• Solutions:Positioning the client in chair next to window
Accessible Cash Register
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Employer’s Accommodation
Co-workers lifted client in the wheelchair onto the platform
Considerations
• Wheelchair with elevating seat
• Standing Wheelchair $5000+
Client could not transport to wheelchair
No storage space for wheelchair in the restaurant
• Raised Platform lift with seat that was universal design so that other employees could use it too
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Costs• Lift platform $2115• Monitor arm $60 • Materials $65 (steel, hardware)• Wheelchair frame – Friends Of Disabled Adults And Children (FODAC – Atlanta)
• Half the cost of an elevating wheel chair• Can be used by other employees• Looking to hire more people with disabilities
Case 2: Cashier at a Retail Store
• Client – 38 year old
• High School educated
• South Georgia
• SCI (T‐4 Paraplegic)
• No use of lower extremities
• Good upper extremity & trunk control
• Manual Chair
• Drives pick‐up with hand controls and manual chair lift (self paid)
• Voc Eval ‐ DOT code 299.367‐010Customer Service Clerk
• Employment Specialist identified potential job: Cashier Position
AT Team: Bill Barnes & Raj Pagadala, Rehab Engineers April Evans , OT John Armstrong, Rehab Technologist
Variety store chain in the Midwest &Southwest US
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Strengths
• Client has transportation
• Willing Employer to work with Voc Rehab
Barriers• Workstation is designed for standing only
QUICKIE Manual Chair
• Rehab Technologist had a Jazzy 1103 Ultra Power Chair in surplus
• Adjustable Height
• Too big to transport with current chair lift
• Alco Manager was willing to allow power chair to be stored on site
Jazzy 1103 Ultra Power Chair
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Keyboard
Printer
Phone
Monitor
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Keyboard Printer
Phone
Monitor
Keyboard
Printer
Phone
Monitor
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Before
After
Before
After
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After
Before
Before
After
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VR Counselor suggested a standing wheel chair
Counselor felt that it solved two needs:
Writing on a classroom board
Assisting students in the physics lab with experiments
Permobil C500 VS Rehab Power Standing, Tilt, Elevating Seat, Recline, & Power Legrest
Cost: Over $40K
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AWT Occupational Therapist – April Evans, OTR/L, ATP, CRC
AT Evaluation Findings:
Client struggled during practicum
Writing on board was extremely difficult
Painful arthritis limited shoulder flexion to 100 0
Was arching back to compensate for limited shoulder flexion
Was seeing a pain management MD and undergoing physical therapy back pain and
pain in upper and lower extremities
Additional limitation: Client reports typing at 20 WPM (generous estimate)
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Contact information:
RAJ PAGADALA
AT Services Director
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Division
Cell: (404) 780‐6659
email: [email protected]