CARF International announced that Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind’s (AIDB) E. H. Gentry Facility has once again earned its CARF accreditation for a period of three years. This accreditation also includes E. H. Gentry Facility’s components located at AIDB’s regional centers across the state.

“I am very appreciative of the entire team who dedicated their time to ensure E. H. Gentry Facility achieved this accreditation,” said Jessica Edmiston, Executive Director, E. H. Gentry Facility. “Receiving the cumulative report from the accreditation process was a humbling reminder of all of the successes, both big and small, we often take for granted. I am appreciative of AIDB’s leadership who continuously encourages us to never settle for anything less than our absolute best.” 

The CARF Site Surveyor team visited E. H. Gentry Facility at the end of August. E. H. Gentry Facility received the highest accreditation possible, a three-year accreditation. E. H. Gentry Facility received no recommendations in the four areas of accreditation where the program standards were found to be without deficiencies or shortcomings: Employment, Evaluation, Services for the Blind, and Assistive Technology. CARF also conducted an audit on the following administrative areas: leadership, strategic planning, input from persons served, legal, financial planning, workforce development, technology, rights of persons served, accessibility, performance measurement, and performance improvement. Out of over 1,500 standards reviewed, E. H. Gentry Facility received only three recommendations.

"We have been working hard, every day, for the past three years to achieve this stellar outcome,” said Yevette Pearce, Ed.D, Director of Student and General Services, Adult Education, and CARF Accreditation Compliance. “This outcome was due to the hard work and collaboration of the staff and students of E. H. Gentry Facility, the staff throughout AIDB’s statewide network of ten Regional Centers, AIDB’s support staff, AIDB’s leadership, community stakeholders, and our ADRS partners. At AIDB, we truly take the CARF standards to heart as we believe the individuals who access our services deserve only the very best." 

The latest accreditation is the sixth consecutive three-year accreditation that the international accrediting body has awarded to E. H. Gentry Facility. It represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization that successfully achieves the CARF Standards. 

“I'm so proud of the hard work that staff at AIDB have put in over the past three years to be able to achieve this outcome with CARF,” said Jenny Savage, Regional Director, AIDB Montgomery Regional Center. “It was a team effort from staff in several departments all working together. The survey process allowed the programs at AIDB to shine. Leadership is committed to continuous quality improvement, and it's evident that services are individualized and truly limitless. I'm so grateful to be part of this team to serve the state.”

An organization that has been awarded a CARF accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are measurable and accountable. It also affirms the organization's commitment to providing the highest quality programs. 

“I am very proud of the team at E. H. Gentry Facility and across the state whose extraordinary work during the process earned them this high level of accreditation,” said John Masica, Au.D.; President; AIDB. “The dynamic leadership from Executive Director Jessica Edmiston backed by a team committed to providing quality and innovative programs for adults who are deaf, blind, deafblind, or have other accommodation needs that prepare them for jobs and everyday life. At AIDB, we strive, every day, to prepare individuals to reach their limitless potential and we continually expect and believe that we can be the best at what we do.”