BANGOR – Every day many of us do a variety of tasks without even thinking about them. We get out of bed and step into the shower without incident. We pick up a phone, press a few small buttons with ease, and hear and speak effortlessly. We jump up with agility in response to the doorbell.

These and other activities are done without any awareness of the intricate movements and the well-synchronized biological processes that allow them to be done with ease.

But for others, this is not the norm. A resource exists locally that can help with physical challenges. Located at Evergreen Woods, the Technical Exploration Center offers evaluations for – and opportunities to try out – assistive devices that make life easier for those with physical limitations.

Those who use the center pay a yearly membership fee or are in an evaluation process through the center.

“It’s a very helpful resource,” said Gay Harotunian of Steuben, a pediatric speech pathologist with 35 years of experience in the field.

The children she works with, birth to 5 years old, may have autism, cerebral palsy, feeding disorders, hearing impairment or developmental or other disorders.

“If a child can’t speak, the child needs some kind of device in order to communicate,” she said. Such devices may be borrowed at the center. One device is programmed to say a word such as “bubble.” The child learns to press the button that means “bubble.” When the right button is pressed, the child is rewarded with the real bubble Harotunian blows.

“We have quite a variety of goodies here,” said Colleen Adams, occupational therapy assistant at the center, who has worked at TEC since 2001.

One room contains voice output devices for those with limited or no speech. The hip-talker, for example, is carried in a fanny pack and contains pre-recorded statements and questions produced with the push of a button.

Another room features computer hardware. Keyboards with large buttons or a variety of colors, keyboards designed for the one-handed user, monitors with touch screens, and hands-free operated mice helps those who cannot see well, or whose dexterity is limited.

The availability of devices broadens what the therapist can offer her clients.

“I can borrow the devices, or the children’s families can,” she said. If the device is not helpful to the child, it can be returned. In that way, money is not wasted by spending it on a device that won’t assist the child. “Colleen has the expertise to suggest things for us to try.”

The need for such equipment, and for speech pathology services in Washington County, where Harotunian practices, is “huge,” she said.

In 1970 when she began her career, she was the only speech pathologist in the Downeast region. At that time, there were few funds for such services, she said, and now funds are being cut and eligibility requirements are becoming more stringent – which makes the services TEC offers much more important to children and their families.

“I’m sure families are most appreciative,” she said.

The center has videos and books for reference and education, and the infrared wireless switch that operates an appliance from a distance. Such switches aid those who can’t push an ordinary button or switch to operate a fan, for example.

Yet another room holds educational toys. Cause-and-effect toys are good for those with low attention spans, Adams said. Some are geared to fine motor skills, others for gross motor skills. Since kids often play with a toy for awhile and then become bored with it, they may borrow different toys on a rotating basis.

A closet holds vibrating pillows, special seat cushions, fidget items and weighted blankets for those with sensory integration issues.

Aids to daily living include long-handled reachers, special gardening tools, voice amplification systems, magnifying devices, adapted eating utensils, pill boxes that verbally remind one that it’s tablet time – even a fishing pole that uses a cordless drill to reel in the line.

The center offers software that turns speech into text, makes text larger, helps with literacy problems or aids those who need help organizing thoughts and grasping concepts.

Lynn Gitlow, occupational therapist, assistive technology practitioner and co-director with Campbell, said that first-time visitors to the facility often say, “Wow, I never knew all that stuff existed.” The center has more than 2,000 pieces of equipment.

The center is the only one in Maine that has a Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center for businesses or individuals. It offers free CD sets on how to use its Microsoft operating system more easily.

Last summer, TEC staff previewed and played with 60 toys for the Toy Industry Foundation to assess them for suitability for children with special needs.

“And we got to keep them all,” Gitlow said. She has been involved with the center for about five years and is the only occupational therapist in Maine certified as an assistive technology practitioner through Rehab Engineering Society of North America.

TEC began as a program of United Cerebral Palsy, Adams said. Husson College became involved with the center in 2001 as fiscal manager.

“We receive the majority of our funding through the Assistive Technology Act,” Gitlow said. Other funding sources include membership fees for borrowing equipment.

Evaluations also provide a source of funding. A school or physician may refer clients to the center. Those of all ages are served, as well as those without disabilities.

Those considering purchasing a piece of equipment are encouraged to stop by the center and borrow it to see if it suits their needs.

It’s important to “try before you buy,” Adams said. Some equipment is very expensive, and the membership fee covers a two-week loan period.

Mark McClellan and Erica Burns are technical assistants at the center.

U.S. Rep. Susan Collins visited the center in April for a dedication ceremony naming the lending library at the center the Susan M. Collins Assistive Technology Library in honor her support of the program.

For information about the Technical Exploration Center, call 941-2952, Ext. 227, or visit www.tecmaine.org.