Rehab technology manager: engineering and simple fixes keep people working

Joe Anthony, rehabilitation technology manager, told the committee his team’s work often involves identifying practical environmental or equipment changes that let people continue working. He emphasized that solutions can be simple, tailored and cost‑effective: his team designed a portable pivoting step to allow a consumer to access farm equipment and a 3‑D printed winding tool that reduced dexterity needs on a JRT center task for under $5.

Anthony summarized program scale: rehab tech has completed more than 2,000 custom work orders and facilitated more than $4,000,000 in accommodations and modifications in recent years, with about 900 referrals in FY2025 alone. He explained that the process begins with a counselor referral and on‑site engineering assessment, followed by recommendations, fabrication and installation.

Why it matters: Rehabilitation engineering directly supports employment for individuals with physical, sensory or cognitive barriers; Anthony framed the work as removing barriers rather than simply supplying equipment, and invited legislators to visit the West Columbia campus to see solutions in action.