Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services Opens New State-of-the-Art Facility in Gadsden
By Tony Hathcock
GADSDEN, Ala. — A new era of support and opportunity for individuals with disabilities began in Gadsden Wednesday morning as the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) celebrated the grand opening of its new regional office at 225 East Broad Street. The occasion was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city officials, legislators, organizational leaders, and community members — all gathered to celebrate a facility designed to expand and enhance critical services for individuals with disabilities and their families across northeast and central Alabama.
The new building represents a major step forward in the delivery of rehabilitation services in the region, made possible through collaboration among ADRS, the Public Building Authority, the City of Gadsden, and the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority. Officials say the facility will consolidate several programs under one roof, making it easier for families to access the services they need.
ADRS offers a wide range of programs including Children’s Rehabilitation Services (CRS), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), VRS Blind-Deaf Programs, the Business Enterprise Program, Adaptive Driving Training and Certification, and Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology. The department’s mission is clear: to enable Alabama’s children and adults with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential.
https://www.rehab.alabama.gov/
According to ADRS, “Whether a person is born with a disability or acquires a disability later in life, the goal is the same: self-sufficiency and independence.” Through individualized services provided in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities, the department works to help every person reach that goal.
A Ceremony Filled With Hope
The ceremony reflected not just the opening of a building, but the continuation of a legacy of empowerment. The event began with a blessing from Hunter Hindsman, who prayed for the facility, the people it will serve, and those who worked to make it a reality.
Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford then officially opened the ceremony, expressing pride in what the new facility represents for Gadsden’s growth and future. He highlighted the project as part of the city’s ongoing revitalization and thanked those who made the vision possible, including Architect and State Representative Craig Lipscomb, who is the only current architect who is also serving in a legislative body in the United States.
Ford also extended thanks to David Hooks and the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority for securing the site and ensuring the facility remained in Gadsden. He emphasized the importance of keeping the program local, noting that it had previously operated from the Wallace Drive campus of Gadsden State Community College.
Ford praised Governor Kay Ivey for her leadership, saying she has “steered the ship in the right direction,” and commended City Clerk Iva Nelson for her years of dedication and her vital role in coordinating the project. The mayor expressed optimism that the new facility would be a major asset to families across the region who depend on ADRS’s life-changing services.
https://www.cityofgadsden.com/
Building a Place of Purpose
Following Mayor Ford, Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, took the podium to thank everyone involved in bringing the project to completion. She recognized Craig Lipscomb and Tim Coker for overseeing the design and construction process, noting that the new building is both beautiful and functional — a facility designed specifically for the people it serves.
Burdeshaw expressed gratitude to the Public Building Authority, which she said “showed up and showed out,” as well as to Iva Nelson for her tireless organization and to David Hooks for the expertise he contributed. She also thanked the Industrial Development Authority, its board members, and the local ADRS staff in Gadsden for their continued service to the community.
The commissioner extended appreciation to Gadsden State Community College, which hosted the ADRS offices for decades. She acknowledged the college’s patience and generosity in allowing the department to “hang around” while the new facility was under construction.
Burdeshaw reaffirmed ADRS’s mission to continue serving families who rely on their programs and pointed out that sometimes people do not realize they need ADRS until they face a life-changing circumstance. She also expressed thanks to the area’s legislative delegation for understanding the importance of the organization and continually helping to meet its needs.
She referenced the agency’s mission statement, which emphasizes service from birth through adulthood, with a core goal of helping individuals become as independent and self-sufficient as possible.
A Blend of Art, Function, and Fiscal Responsibility
Representative Craig Lipscomb, who also served as the project’s architect, spoke next. He acknowledged Representative Mack Butler, whose district includes the new facility, for his support. Lipscomb said he sought a balance between art and function in designing a space that would best serve the people it was intended to help.
He revealed that the project was completed 20 percent under budget, costing approximately $5 million — a full million less than the initial $6 million estimate. He credited Tim Coker, the engineering team, and financial partners for their efforts in making the facility not only efficient and practical, but also economically responsible. Lipscomb also highlighted that all aspects of the project — from architecture and engineering to construction — were carried out by local firms, keeping the investment within the community.
A Community Effort
Dr. Lew Mitchell, chairman of the Public Building Authority, brought a touch of humor to his remarks, noting that as a dentist, chairing a construction project was not his usual line of work. He said the project’s success came from the diverse talents of many people, each contributing their expertise toward a common goal.
Mitchell praised his fellow Authority members for their dedication, as well as Iva Nelson for her organizational leadership. He also recognized Hudak Construction of Gadsden and the many subcontractors for their professionalism and craftsmanship. With a broad smile, he summed up the day by saying it was “a happy day for Gadsden.”
A Life Changed Through Service
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the ceremony came when Emily Frederick shared her personal story. Born with achondroplasia, commonly known as dwarfism, Frederick described herself as “a product of the ADRS.”
She spoke about growing up within the organization and how its staff helped her at every stage of her life. From connecting her family with the right doctors and surgeons to providing tools like a stool or modified vehicle pedals so she could drive, ADRS made independence possible. She described the organization as family — a group of caring professionals who offer not only medical support but also social and emotional encouragement.
Frederick praised the compassion of the local ADRS team and said their work truly helps people reach their “maximum potential.” As she concluded her remarks, she shared an embrace with Mayor Ford — a touching moment that symbolized the heart of the day’s celebration.
https://www.childrensal.org/patient-stories/emily-frederick
A Bright Future for Gadsden and Beyond
The opening of the new ADRS facility marks an exciting milestone for Gadsden and surrounding communities. It represents progress not only in infrastructure, but in compassion — a place where people facing challenges can find the resources, support, and encouragement they need to thrive.
For decades, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services has helped Alabamians like Emily Frederick achieve independence and dignity. Now, with a modern, purpose-built home in downtown Gadsden, that mission continues stronger than ever.
In the words of those who gathered to celebrate, this is more than just a building — it’s a promise fulfilled, and a beacon of hope for generations to come.
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