Feature Article Continued From Home Page
Universal Institute
Universal Institute, operating in Michigan and New Jersey (www.uirehab.com) really understands what it takes to serve the whole person when it comes to the neurologically injured. Their program combines residential placement, care in a managed environment, with the clinical rehabilitation a person often needs after sustaining a brain injury.
The company operates 3 residential programs and a rehab clinic in Michigan and 14 residential programs in New Jersey under the direction of their president, Mr. Adam Steinberg of New York. What separates Universal from conventional outpatient rehabilitation programs?
At Universal they instill a greater sense of independence and self worth and say the possibilities are wide open. The typical rehabilitation program will focus on making clients live with their disability and know their limitations. At Universal, their comprehensive, aggressive regime spans five days a week. No more will a person’s disability be labeled and your course of treatment pre-determined.
Professional Nail & Hair care
Every Tuesday Universal has a professional manicurist come to Universal to give manicures and pedicures to both the female and male clients. Once a month a licensed hairdresser comes in to give haircuts.
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The Library
The Universal Institute Lending Library is a client run/ functional library which lends out the latest in DVDs and Videos. The library also houses a selection of books and books on tape. | 
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Vocational Training
Suite 15 - Resale and Confectionary Shop
Universal Institute's Suite 15 is a fully functional retail establishment. Clients are involved in development, inventory, money management, merchandise management and sales.
Suite 15 is open daily and allows clients the opportunity to practice retail skills while giving other clients real life experiences shopping in a store.
Utilizing the transdisciplinary model clients practice functional Occupational Therapy skills: hanging clothes, buttoning, folding, sorting, ironing and stacking objects. Clients create and manage the inventory list and shop for products out in the community and practice Speech Therapy goals in a functional / meaningful environment.
E-bay Store
http://search.ebay.com/W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZuniversalQ5fmicrolab
Some of their client’s have begun to use the internet with assisted technology to expand their skills. They have now established an E-bay program where you purchase merchandise in on-line auctions. This new training can help clients with computer skills, management of money, as well as shipping the products and can allow clients the time management they require.
Community Integration: Universal Institute believes that community integration is an important factor in the rehabilitation process. Each week a recreation coordinator plans cultural and social outings into the community. Outings and vacations help clients gain confidence and build self esteem. Some events include local trips to restaurants, movies, the mall, bowling, coffee shops, museums, and other cultural events. They have also had opportunities to meet celebrities like the singers; Usher and Pearl Jam, the T.V show Survivor’s Stephenie Lagrossa and others. Universal is also involved with the Special Olympics.
Universal Institute is proud of our year round World Class Vacationing has included Cruises (including Norwegian Dawn's Inaugural Cruise), Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Disney World, The New Jersey Shore / Atlantic City, The Poconos and Upstate New York. Vacations are supervised and accessible to all clients regardless of functioning level.
It is truly refreshing to have such a remarkable program operating to assist those with injuries following auto collisions. Other programs do well to emulate the many techniques Universal employs to keep person centeredness at the heart of all they do.
In Michigan the company also operates a rehabilitative clinic and 3 group living programs at the time of this article’s writing. Visit them at www.uirehab.com.
