Hello and thank you for visiting my website. I'm Alisa Brownlee, ATP, CLIPP, CAPS, WPS, an Assistive Technology and Home Modification Specialist with ALS United, Mid-Atlantic and founder of ALS AT Home. I have been in the field of assistive technology for over 28 years. My speciality areas are augmentative and alternative communication, computer access, environmental controls and home modifications.
For the past 8 years, I have offered home assessments to help families make decisions on home modifications for accessibility and safety. Prior to Covid, these visits were in person, then in 2020, the switch to virtual visit began and is still in process today. These virtual visits are highly successful and the feedback we receive from families is extremely positive as many families state they were often not aware of assistive technology options that can make their home accessible without major and costly construction.
From May 2022 through September of 2023, I launched the virtual home modifications program for the ALS Association National Office and completed 252 visits over 14 months visiting with people with ALS and their families all over the country. I launched ALS At Home in September of 2023 to help people diagnosed with ALS and other progressive neuromuscular diseases make their homes safe and accessible with the focus on their changing needs. I truly have a passion for helping families change their homes for current and future needs
I am a 2000 graduate of the California State University Northridge with a Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology. I am a Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), a Certified Living In Place Professional (CLIPP) through the Living in Place Institute, a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) through the National Association of Home Builders and a Wheelchair Service Provider (WSP) through the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals.
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I live in Hatfield Pennsylvania with my spouse, two teenagers, and a very spoiled dog named Penelope Pitstop. I enjoy going to the beach (Cape Cod is my favorite), quilting, reading, watching true crime shows, and spending time with my family (and the very spoiled dog).
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I look forward to meeting you and assisting any way I can.
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Make your home safe and accessible by booking an appointment today.
Welcome to ALS AT Home
Most homes are not designed or constructed to accommodate the needs of disabled people in terms of accessibility, safety, independence, and location. ALS AT Home offers virtual home assessments by a Certified Home Modification Specialist that help people with ALS and other progressive neuromuscular diseases to make decisions about the best modifications for accessibility and safety.
At ALS AT Home
We Get Your Struggle
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Your home is a place of significant personal meaning and most people diagnosed with ALS want to stay in their home.
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Home modifications can often be viewed as the physical manifestation of ALS.
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Our goal is to strengthen your home as a place of personal and social meaning as well as improve safety and comfort for the person with ALS, their caregivers and family members.
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Living with ALS is expensive! Making structural changes to an existing home is often cost prohibitive for people diagnosed with ALS. A virtual home assessment will help families make decisions as to where they want to allot their financial resources. Instead of costly home modifications, families may opt to save their money for hiring care instead.
Our Services
The progressive nature of ALS results in most diagnosed persons requiring modifications to their physical environment. ALS AT Home offers virtual home accessibility and safety visit to address concerns about a person's physical environment.
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Accessing guidance from a person knowledgeable in disease progression and safe mobility to identify potential physical barriers to key daily functions and the range of possible modifications in advance supports safety, decreases harms and maximizes quality of life as determined by those diagnosed and their caregivers.
Adapting a living environment to meet the changing needs of ALS will become a necessity as the disease progresses. However, typical structural home modifications are often not appropriate. The cost, time, and daily upheaval of having structural modifications done to the home increase the emotional and financial burden of living with ALS.
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Assistive technology devices can often be incorporated in lieu of more costly or permanent structural changes.
Objectives of our program
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Identify key safety and independence challenges for those diagnosed with ALS.
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Describe methods to decrease caregiver risk of injury.
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Discuss how incorporating Assistive Technology can support Quality of Life.
The virtual visit
•Visits are conducted in a virtual platform --Zoom, FaceTime, Duo
•Assessment of the house includes evaluation of:
•Egress
•Steps (interior and exterior)
•Bathroom(s)
•Bedroom
•Dining and leisure areas
•Other areas as directed by person with ALS and their family
•Potential obstacles related to access and safety, along with possible equipment or modifications to support safety and quality of life are addressed and evaluator shares their screen to display products or videos.
After the visit
•An email highlighting key potential obstacles and possible adaptations is sent to the diagnosed person and/or caregiver.
•An assessment from the evaluator is sent to the referral source.
•A survey is sent to the person with ALS or their caregiver with the goal to identify value of the program and client satisfaction.
Client Testimonials
"I was initially apprehensive about having a virtual home assessment (I am not tech savvy) but this was very easy! I just followed the link and there you were. I appreciate knowing what all my options are and the ability to see your screen with different products was helpful. My wife and I were concerned that we would have to spend all of our savings to make the house accessible and it is such a relief to know we have options that won’t break the bank. Your virtual visit and these notes are so extremely helpful! In fact, they have helped me more than any other service so far. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
So many options were provided that we didn’t even know existed. we also had no idea what type of equipment was needed and available so that I could remain in our two story home. This information was INVALUABLE! are providing a huge service to the ALS population.
Not only has Alisa given us valuable advice but her follow up report took the stress off while we were on our zoom call. She was very knowledgeable, supportive and compassionate. The entire zoom call provided much needed information and advice. Alisa also shared grants and what is available through insurance that will help with costs."
"Yesterday's call was very informative and gave us a lot to think about as we move forward in this ALS journey. Your report is extremely thorough and helpful but I will be sure to reach out if we have any follow up questions. There are so many things to think about and we are so unfamiliar with what exactly will be needed. The follow up report gave us not only her thoughts and advice but also links so we could research further what was available."