Springfield, MA - The American International College (AIC) Division of Occupational Therapy has partnered with United Cerebral Palsy of Western Massachusetts (UCP) to expand access to assistive technology (AT) for individuals with disabilities. This collaboration has established a new satellite location for UCP’s Assistive Technology Regional Center at AIC, located at 1067 State Street, Springfield, MA.

Previously, individuals in the Springfield area seeking AT services had to travel to Pittsfield, Worcester, or Boston. Now, through this partnership with the College, UCP can better serve the Pioneer Valley by offering local access to assistive devices that enhance daily living, mobility, vision, hearing, and workplace or home modifications.

Similar to a library loan system, individuals can borrow AT equipment at no cost on a short-term basis. The process is simple:

If a requested device is unavailable, UCP will work to acquire it.

Following the July 2023 lightning-strike fire that devastated AIC’s health sciences labs, UCP generously donated adaptive equipment to support the Master of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program. These tools—including feeding assistance devices, low-vision aids, and mobility training equipment—are now housed in AIC’s reconstructed MSOT lab, where they train students and assist community members.

Dr. Jennifer Nordstrom, OTD, OTR/L, director of AIC’s Center for Accessibility Services and Academic Accommodations (CASAA) and assistant professor of occupational therapy, provides assistive technology training to community members during designated hours. When not in public use, the equipment serves as an instructional resource for MSOT students. Through this collaboration, AIC can also offer assistive technology support to CASAA students as needed.

“I’ve dreamed of offering this service to the community,” Nordstrom says. “It aligns with AIC’s mission of education and outreach.”

For AIC’s MSOT students, access to innovative AT enhances their clinical training and practical experience.

"Assistive Technology is always a favorite course," Nordstrom notes. "With this equipment, our students are better prepared for fieldwork and pro bono clinics, staying up to date with advancements in the field."

To further enrich student learning, Nordstrom developed a dedicated Assistive Technology course at AIC, covering:

Shelby Cortis, Senior Director of Assistive Technology for UCP of Western Massachusetts, sees great value in this collaboration. “When I was in OT school, we didn’t have opportunities to train on these devices. Now, AIC students have hands-on access, giving them a strong foundation for their careers.”

During a recent visit to AIC, Cortis, and Iris Long, UCP Assistive Technology regional director, demonstrated various types of AT devices to students, including electronic aids for daily living, speech-generating devices, computer access equipment, vision and hearing aids, and recreational aids. Highlights included:

This interactive experience allowed students to interact with the latest advancements in assistive technology, enhancing both their academic learning and practical skills.

The next phase of this partnership will focus on public outreach, inviting other institutions to AIC for AT training and demonstrations.

For students like Trent Davenport, a first-year MSOT student, exposure to this technology is inspiring.

“It makes me excited to enter the field,” he says. “I plan to work with geriatric patients, helping them maintain independence through Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Seeing the range of devices available today makes me even more excited about the future of assistive technology.”

Through this collaboration, AIC and UCP are strengthening student education and community support, ensuring that individuals in the Springfield area have greater access to life-changing assistive technology.