Milford assistive-technology coach credits BRS referrals and adaptive devices for helping hires with disabilities

Dave, an assisted-technology coach at the NEAT Center at Oak Hill in Milford, said a referral to BRS while he was on disability and subsequent assistive-technology evaluations helped a colleague, David, gain employment and perform work tasks.

Dave said he was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome and was connected with BRS while off work. He described referring David to the NEAT marketplace for an assistive-technology evaluation; the evaluator "considered David to be someone who would be a great asset" and David "actually got the job," Dave said.

David described the specific accommodations that let him do his work: "So a lot of my challenges are around ... fine motor skills," he said, and listed an adapted mechanical keyboard, an adapted vertical mouse, a "stream deck" to pre-program common computer tasks and voice-control software that lets him "fully operate my computer ... using my voice." Those tools, he said, reduce repetitive physical strain and streamline routine actions.

A staff member at NEAT/Oak Hill said hiring people with disabilities brings a unique perspective to client work and praised David's on-the-job strengths. "I think there's a lot of reasons why it's important to hire individuals with disabilities," the staff member said, adding that David "is just a natural teacher" and that many workplace barriers can be addressed through flexibility and accommodation.

The staff member also outlined supports linked to the referral process: counselors who specialize in youth transition and adult services, on-the-job training, job placement and job coaching. Dave urged agencies and other prospective employers to use BRS, saying the agency helped match skills to job needs. "I would absolutely recommend working with BRS...I couldn't have gotten here without them," he said, and advised interested parties to visit the BRS website and begin working with a counselor.

The comments show how assistive devices and targeted vocational supports were used at NEAT Center at Oak Hill to place and retain an employee with a disability. The speakers identified the evaluator by first name (Maggie) and named the referral source as BRS; they did not provide last names or additional identifying details. Those seeking help should contact BRS or the NEAT Center for more information.