Gadsden Rehab Center E1763054673137 — Ribbon cutting at the new Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (City of Gadsden)

A new facility is officially open in Gadsden, expanding rehab services around Etowah County and making vital programs for people with disabilities more accessible to local families.

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, taking an important step forward in accessibility.

The new 20,852-square-foot facility is located on East Broad Street and will provide several different programs including:

Children’s Rehabilitation Service
Vocational Rehabilitation Service
- VRS Blind-Deaf Program
ADRS Business Enterprise Program
Adaptive Driving Training and Certification Programs
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology

The agency is leaving its former location at Gadsden State Community College, outgrowing the space provided for many years.

“We’re proud to be a part of the opening of the new Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) offices in Gadsden! This project represents an important step forward in accessibility and was made possible through the collaboration of ADRS, the Public Building Authority, the City of Gadsden, and the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority.”
City of Gadsden

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services is a state-run department, serving Alabamians with disabilities from birth or throughout any stage of their lives.

The state has 25 offices across the state, providing services from four main programs including:

Early intervention: Serves children from birth to age 3 by coordinating services statewide for infants and toddlers with developmental delays
Children’s rehabilitation: Serves children and teens from birth to 21 with special health-care needs and their families.
Vocational rehabilitation: Serves teens and adults to provide specialized employment- and education-related services and training. Programs within this division
Independent living: Serves individuals with the most-significant disabilities, providing a wide range of education, assistive technology, training and home-based services to allow them more independence