Assistive Work Technology (AWT) Services

The VR Program’s Assistive Work Technology (AWT) unit provides a variety of AWT services to address the assistive technology needs of eligible adults.

Specialized staff of rehabilitation engineers, occupational therapists, rehabilitation technologists, and rehabilitation technicians work as a team with vocational rehabilitation counselors and their clientele to improve the individual's work-related independence in the home, school or work environment. By removing many barriers to going to work and successful employment, AWT is a vital part of the vocational rehabilitation work team.

Assistive work technology includes high tech devices such as voice activated computers, environmental controls, and sophisticated vehicle modifications, and low tech devices as simple as jar openers or hand held magnifiers.

The Rehabilitation Engineer provides assessment, but focuses on design of home and vehicle modifications, adaptations to commercially available technologies, and design of custom assistive technology when necessary.

The Occupational Therapist provides clinical perspective performing ergonomic assessments, occupational safety, and many other types of assessments to identify appropriate work goals and simple devices to improve performance of work-related goals

The Rehabilitation Technologist provides assessments focusing on commercially available assistive technology and computer access technology.

The Rehabilitation Technician fabricates, sets-up, and troubleshoots equipment.

Tools for Life, an assistive technology resource available to all Georgians with disabilities, supports AWT by providing a Lending Library where many AT devices can be tested to see what works best.

For further information about programs or services offered by
Rehabilitation Services, please e-mail us at rehab@dol.state.ga.us.