Roles of the Therapist
Laura A. Rice, PhD, MPT, ATP is the director of the Illini Wheelchair and Scooter clinic and an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Dr. Rice earned her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA in 2004 and became a certified Assistive Technology Professional in 2010. She also earned a PhD in Rehabilitation Science and Technology in 2010 from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Rice began her career in seating and mobility at the University of Pittsburgh in the Center for Assistive Technology in 2008.

After moving to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2011, she continued to work with students on campus and Central Illinois community members to provide seating and mobility solutions as part of her service requirements as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health. In 2021, Dr. Rice established the Illini Wheelchair and Scooter Clinic in order to provide expanded seating and mobility services to University of Illinois students, staff, and faculty, along with University of Illinois community members

She will write the letter of medical necessity to ensure that insurance will assist in covering the cost of the new assistive device.

Roles of Wheelchair Vendor
They oversee measuring wheelchairs during the appointment. The wheelchair vendor works alongside the therapist and helps to provide support in determining the products that best fit your needs, ordering the mobility device, working with insurance providers, and delivering the device to you. We are happy to work with the vendor of your choice.