Cleveland, Ohio – Blake Perkins and Steve Polakowski have been named finalists for the Brooke Ellison Community Visionary Award due to their groundbreaking work in assistive technologies. Their efforts at the MetroHealth System in Cleveland have significantly advanced mobility solutions for individuals with disabilities.
Blake Perkins is a licensed physical therapist, credentialed assistive technology professional, and research investigator at the MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio. He is also the lead clinician at the MetroHealth outpatient wheelchair clinic, program director and founder of the MetroHealth Adaptive Life Technologies lab, and board member and technology clinician at Adaptive Technologies.
Steve Polakowski is the president of Adaptive Technologies and owner of an information technology consulting firm with over 20 years of experience. In 2022, Steve began serving as a MetroHealth Adaptive Life Technologies Lab consultant, identifying, configuring, and implementing life-altering assistive and adaptive technologies.
Their nominations for the award recognize their dedication to enhancing accessibility and independence for individuals with disabilities. Their work not only profoundly impacts the lives of their patients but also inspires others in the fi eld, encouraging them to pursue innovative solutions.
The Brooke Ellison Community Visionary Award winners will be announced at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, FL on October 19. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Blake Perkins and Steve Polakowski on their well-deserved recognition and ongoing contributions to the fi eld of assistive technology.