Page 28 - BusinessWest May 12, 2025

Toward Better Quality of Life
AIC Partners with UCP to Expand Assistive Technology Access
The American International College (AIC) Division of Occu-
pational Therapy recently partnered with United Cerebral
Palsy of Western Massachusetts (UCP) to expand access to
assistive technology (AT) for individuals with disabilities. This col-
laboration has established a new satellite location for UCP’s Assis-
tive Technology Regional Center at AIC, located at 1067 State St. in
Springfield.
Previously, individuals in the Springfield area seeking AT ser-
vices 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: browse available devices
at MassAbility, visit the AIC lab for a demonstration,
and borrow the device for personal use. 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 donated
adaptive equipment to support the master of occu-
pational 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 stu-
dents and assist community members.
Dr. Jennifer Nordstrom, director of AIC’s Center
for Accessibility Services and Academic Accommoda-
tions (CASAA) and assistant professor of Occupation-
al Therapy, provides assistive technology training to
community members during designated hours. When
not in public use, the equipment serves as an instruc-
tional resource for MSOT students. Through this col-
“I’ve dreamed
of offering this
service to the
community.
It aligns with
AIC’s mission of
education and
outreach.”
AIC students experiment with the Spill-Not, an assistive technology tool
that allows users to carry drinks without spilling.
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