Tuscaloosa AIDB Center Earns National Accreditation

The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind's (AIDB) Tuscaloosa Regional Center is once again part of a nationally recognized network after the E. H. Gentry Facility earned a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the highest level of accreditation available.

The accreditation also includes AIDB's regional centers across Alabama, including the Tuscaloosa office, which provided more than 1,670 services to over 830 children, youth and adults across its 11-county West Alabama service area last year.

The Tuscaloosa Regional Center offers a wide range of services for individuals who are blind, deaf or deafblind, including assistive technology, American Sign Language interpreting, case management, counseling, job coaching, transportation and independent living support. Officials say the center helps individuals and families gain the skills and resources needed to live more independently.

CARF surveyors conducted an intensive three-day review earlier this year, evaluating more than 1,500 quality standards related to safety, accountability and person-centered care. E. H. Gentry received only six recommendations during the review and earned its seventh consecutive three-year accreditation.

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"This seventh consecutive three-year accreditation—the highest honor CARF bestows—is a powerful validation of the life-changing work happening every day at E. H. Gentry and across our regional centers," said AIDB President Dr. Dennis Gilliam.

Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 30,000 people annually through five campuses in Talladega and 10 regional centers located throughout Alabama, including the Tuscaloosa Regional Center.