combining a medical background with residential access design.
Jackie integrates design with functionalskills and goal s, medical and physiological issues,durable medical equipment, specialty and mainstream products, and takes into consideration ergonomics of all involved, family responsibility, work, play, and much more for the individual and others in the household.
Jackie's background in occupational therapy has led to her work with individuals with a wide range of diagnoses' throughout a normal process for acute injuries, through the rehab process, and in their homes.
She has worked in the National Spinal Cord Injury Unit at then-University Hospital in Boston, with the Pulmonary Care Unit and the Parkinson's Program, and with orthopedics at New England Rehab. later doing in-home therapy with indiiduals in their homes and communities.
As Program Manager for the Adaptive Equipment Program at Boston Center for Independent Living she learned the reality of "accessible" units and the challenges homeowners were facing. Product recommendations, modifications to existing products, and custom fabricated products were but one way she brought more independence to individuals with disabilities living in the community. Evaluations for the Massachusetts Personal Care Program were also part of her responsibilities.
She has worked on projects with Adaptive Environments - now Institute for Human Centered Design, with UMass Lowell Electrical Engineering Department and other agencies around the Boston area.
Recognizing that there was no resources for individuals at or returning home, to help make decisions about design and available products, she started Solutions for Accessibility -first known as Solutions for Independence.
Jacqueline has spoken nationally and at universities, and has been featured in several magazines and newspapers. When Program Manager for the Adaptive Equipment Program, she and her team received an award in Washington.. She was co-founder of the Boston Chapter of Volunteers for Medical Engineers, is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inventors Association of New England, International Association of Rehab Professionals and is a Certified Living In Place Professional.
In her community, she is co-founder of Watertown for All Ages, is on the board of Live Well Watertown, and has an interest in the therapeutic and psychological impact of approach and activities with individuals with dementia.
Jacqueline prides herself in her ability to work with individuals with neurological diagnoses such as MS, MD, ALS, and others, with traumatic injuries, amputations, and others by combining her background in occupational therapy and over 30 years of experience in access design and specifications. Working with the indivdual's skills and goals, she enjoys problem solveing to determine the best solution to maximize that individual's autonomy, independence and meet their goals.
She believes that the client best knows their needs, and is there to make them aware of the means to reach their goals through a wide range of products, and through good home design.
Her approach is very holistic including all aspects of the individual's life on a daily basis and includes all related individuals, hobbies and play, work, and responsibilities.
"We pride ourselves on our diverse portfolio, including projects in the sport, leisure, retail, residential and commercial sectors. We believe that building strong client relationships is incredibly important and we work closely with our clients to engender complete trust. Our team has a great wealth of experience and know that, despite the complexity of the construction process, there should be no mystery to the client."