volunteers for medical engineering (vme) improving the independence of individuals with disabilities...
TRANSCRIPT
VOLUNTEERS FOR MEDICAL ENGINEERING (VME)
Improving the Independence of Individuals with Disabilities in
Maryland through Creative Engineering
Who we are?:
VME is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization located in theWorkforce & Technology Center on Argonne Drive
in Baltimore, Maryland
VME’s Mission:
To improve the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities through
innovative efforts of volunteers with expertise in medicine, engineering and technology,
resulting in unique solutions to everydaychallenges faced by people with disabilities
What we do?:
•Design and build unique assistive devices•Loan computers•Provide information and referral•Perform web searches for commercial solutions
VME Clients
•Individuals of all ages, birth to elderly, with any type of disability
•Disabled students from local area schools
•Organizations and agencies serving individuals with disabilities
VME Volunteers•Engineers, physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists from local industries
•Retired engineers and medical professionals •College & high school students
•Ordinary citizens with the desire to help others
The VME Process
Client request received
Client Service Team (CST) evaluation
Project Review and Acceptance Committee (PRAC) evaluation
Device designed and made by volunteers
Device delivered to client
VME HISTORY
VME was founded by John Staehlin, an engineer at Westinghouse in 1982. John founded VME in an effort to help disabled co-workers through innovative engineering.
Fees:•Individual project: $25 each
•Group project: $50 each
•Annual volunteer fee: $10
•Material allowance: $200 per project
PARTNERS/ASSOCIATESCORPORATE
Northrop GrummanLockheed Martin
The Edgewood Chemical Biological Command (US ARMY)ACADEMIC
Johns Hopkins School of EngineeringUniversity of Maryland at Baltimore County
Community College of Baltimore CountyMaryland Public School SystemsEastern Technical High School
Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP
TWO PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF
DELAWARE AgrAbility PROGRAM
•TRACTOR MOUNTING SYSTEM DESIGNED AND BUILT BY JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF
ENGINEERING SENIORS FOR DISABLED PARK VOLUNTEERS
•HIVE MAINTENANCE SYSTEM BEING DESIGNED AND BUILT FOR DISABLED BEE KEEPER IN SOUTHERN
MARYLAND IN CONJUCTION WITH RESOURCES FOR INDEPENDENCE OF WESTERN MARYLAND
SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP
HELPING EXAMPLE: A carpenter lost both hands in an industrial accident. VME volunteers designed a way for his power tools to connect to his prosthetic arms and Johns
Hopkins Students designed a box to hold the tools so that he could attach and detach the tools by himself.
Helping Example: Crib side modified from drop down to swing open like a gate and the legs of the crib were extended so the mother’s wheelchair can fit under the crib to facilitate transferring the baby.
Helping Example: Motorized backpack to allow student withCP to access her school supplies without a caregiver.
CONTACT US:
Bob CoenPHONE: 410.893.7292
EMAIL: [email protected] MAIN OFFICE
410.243.7495
Volunteers for Medical Engineering, Inc.