The "Customized Assistive Device Development Pilot Program," an initiative by COAPRE, showcased concrete outcomes this year, thanks to successful cross-professional integration. COAPRE has partnered with a team from NCKU, combining occupational therapy and industrial design expertise to create customized assistive devices that help injured workers navigate workplace challenges during their return-to-work process. By conducting in-depth functional evaluations and workplace visits, the team aims to ascertain the real-world challenges workers face. Through an iterative process of design and testing, it creates customized assistive devices to accommodate the actual demands of the job.

A mechanical maintenance technician, struggling with arm weakness from a brachial plexus injury, found it impossible to sustain his repair work. Thanks to a custom exoskeleton developed by the COAPRE-NCKU team, he regained the stability and strength needed for his work, a testament to the life-changing power of tailored assistive technology.

Meanwhile, the Center’s "Injured Workers’ Return-to-Work Service Program" is progressively yielding results. To date, 15 workers have revitalized their careers through individualized support and training, with six already achieving stable employment for more than three months. By offering one-on-one professional counseling, the program addresses everything from the psychological trauma of an accident to skill recalibration, empowering workers to rebuild their confidence and find their path back to a fulfilling career. We deliver a comprehensive suite of services encompassing career counseling, individualized guidance, employment matching, and skill reinforcement training. Through continuous follow-up and structured support, we help workers secure positions tailored to their recovery status, including administrative, sales, technical, and labor-intensive roles.

Deputy CEO Huang Jing-Chun of COAPRE noted that customized assistive devices enhance workers’ ability to carry out practical tasks, while career services support them in regaining both professional direction and personal dignity. Looking ahead, COAPRE will continue to scaling up its assistive technology innovation and deepen its engagement with employers and career tracking services. Our goal is to create a seamless rehabilitation ecosystem that empowers injured workers to restart their careers with confidence.