Equal Access Birmingham
This student-run free clinic provides meaningful, service-learning encounters for our PT students. It is a tremendous opportunity for our students to apply their learned skills to assist and educate the medically underserved of Birmingham. Our PT students also experience collaboration with UAB healthcare students from medicine, occupational therapy, social work and more.
I Can Do It, You Can Do It
In 2014, we became the first in Alabama to launch the I Can Do It, You Can Do It program. What began with 35 of our PT students helping 37 children is now a program with more than 150 students from the UAB Department of Physical Therapy, Department of Occupational Therapy, and the School of Education impacting more than 100 children and adults with disabilities in locations like the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind’s Helen Keller School, United Ability (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham), and the Horizons School.
Firehouse Shelter Clinic
In 2016, the UAB School of Health Professions established the student-led Firehouse Shelter Clinic to provide free access to compassionate health care for those who seek assistance at the Birmingham homeless shelter. Our students evaluate mobility problems, focus on available resources, and tailor physical therapy services and guidance to these clients every other Wednesday throughout the school year.
Global PT Day of Service
Every October, our students coordinate community-wide efforts for the Global PT Day of Service as part of the American Physical Therapy Association’s National Physical Therapy Month. In the past, students have worked with PTs, PTAs, PT staff, PT students, and PTA students to volunteer for a series of service events at places like Fair Haven Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, The Red Barn, AMBUCS, Wish 2 Enrich and more.
Go Baby Go
Go Baby Go is a national community based program that modifies electric toy cars for children with mobility deficits to allow for play and socialization with peers. The UAB DPT students participate in several build events every year which includes collaboration with engineering, occupational therapy and community pediatric clinicians.