It’s no exaggeration to say the right assistive device can change your life. If you have a disability or an injury and you’re looking to improve your quality of life, assistive technology experts at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, offer the latest technology to help you achieve your goals for work, school or daily living.
At our Smart Clinic, we provide personalized evaluations and hands-on support to help those with a disability or injury test-drive options before investing time and money into a new device. Whether you’re seeking assistive technology to support your daily tasks or communication, our goal is to help make your everyday life easier, safer and more independent.
What is the Smart Clinic at Ohio State?
Our Smart Clinic, which is located within our Assistive Technology Center, is a demonstration space where people with disabilities or injuries have an opportunity to explore a variety of technologies such as phones, tablets, computers and smart home devices.
Whether it’s controlling lights in your home, using the computer for work or sending text messages hands-free, we take an individualized approach to finding the right equipment for you and work with your needs, abilities and technology goals. Our demonstration space includes the latest low-tech and high-tech adaptations, as well as both hardware and software modifications.
Our occupational therapists and our physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians are experts at customizing the latest assistive technology devices. We’ll help you find the ideal fit for technology or provide further training so you can use the devices you already own to the fullest.
Assistive technologies available in the Smart Clinic
Assistive technology works best when it fits into your routine without adding complexity. At the Smart Clinic, we focus on practical tools that adapt to your life, environment and goals. These include:
- Adaptive keyboard and mouse for computer access
- Accessibility settings built into your phone, tablet and computer software
- Adaptive video game controllers and gaming systems
- Eating adaptations, such as weighted utensils and a robotic feeding assistant
- Smart speakers and smart home devices
- Low-vision support, such as smart glasses and vision-specific apps
- Mobile arm supports and robotic arms
- Integration with other technologies, including wheelchairs and speech-generating devices
Who is a candidate for Ohio State’s Smart Clinic?
Occupational therapists in our clinic work with people across a wide range of ages and conditions, including those who have:
- Spinal cord injury
- Amputation
- Brain injuries and stroke
- Muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Progressive neurological impairments, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
- Low vision
Services offered in the Smart Clinic
Assistive technology is constantly improving, enabling people with disabilities and those with previous injuries to overcome obstacles and gain independence. We know how difficult it can be to keep up with the latest advancements and tools available, so we do the research for you. Technology devices we support include:
Computer access
There are a variety of specialized technologies available to improve your computer access, such as a trackball mouse, a joystick mouse, large-print keyboards or hands-free systems you control with your head or voice. We work with vocational rehabilitation experts and educational resources to facilitate computer access to meet your school or work goals.
Phone and tablet access
Phones and tablets offer a wide range of built-in settings that can improve accessibility. We specialize in understanding the latest device settings and adjusting them to meet your specific needs. We work with your existing technology to adjust settings and help you understand all the available options on your device.
Electronic aids to daily living (EADLs)
EADLs are more commonly known as “smart home” devices and are available at many retail stores. We help you understand which of these technologies can best help you perform daily tasks and give you more control over your environment, like turning on the TV, turning off lights or seeing who is at the door.
Adaptive gaming
If you enjoy video gaming but haven’t been able to play because it’s difficult to use a standard controller, we offer adaptive gaming equipment that can help.
Mobile arm support and robotic arms
If you have an upper-extremity disability, you may require an arm support to perform certain tasks. Our team can assess, trial and train you on how to use arm supports. Two types of arm supports include:
- Mobile arm supports – typically used with a wheelchair or workstation to support your arm against the force of gravity
- Robotic arms – controlled with a controller such as a joystick, and used to perform a variety of jobs
What to expect at Ohio State’s Smart Clinic
Our providers have advanced training in assistive technology and are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest devices. They’ll work with you and any caregivers to help you use the recommended tools confidently and effectively.
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is nationally recognized for the comprehensive, innovative and compassionate services we provide across all levels of care. Our physical medicine and rehabilitation team is among the best in the nation. Because we’re an academic medical center, new assistive devices and technologies are often pioneered and tested here.
Each appointment in our 5,000-square-foot assistive technology facility includes an evaluation, device trial and training. We’ll help you navigate insurance, and we have one of the quickest evaluation-to-delivery timelines nationwide.
How to make an appointment with the Smart Clinic
You don’t need to come from our acute or inpatient care settings to visit the Smart Clinic. Typically, referrals are needed for our services, but not always. Here are steps to follow to make an appointment with our experts:
- Ask your physician for a referral to Occupational Therapy for “EADL Smart Clinic Assessment” through the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center’s Assistive Technology Center Smart Clinic. This referral should be completed and faxed to 614-293-9002 by your physician. Referrals must include all diagnoses, demographics, insurance cards and most recent office notes.
- Once your referral is received, we’ll call you to schedule an appointment.
- Make a list of your technology goals in advance, including what technology you’re currently using (type and brand), how you’re using it and what tasks you’d like to improve with technology.