Al and Doe Scaia

Mr. Al Scaia, a retired projects design engineer, works together with his wife Doe, to develop, design and produce equipment that allows individuals with disabilities to enhance their daily living skills. Together the Scaia's have volunteered thousands of hours at Creative Living, an assisted living center for people with physical disabilities. Mr. and Mrs. Scaia worked with other volunteers installing a complete emergency power system that supplies power for lighting, smoke alarms, communication and lifesaving medical equipment.

Mr. and Mrs. Scaia have also designed constructed and installed more than 30 special mailboxes for two of the Creative Living Centers' apartment complexes. In 1968, they designed and installed a complete communications system for Camp Goodwill, a camp for disabled children in New York. Since that time they have designed a variety of custom made devices that focus on the specific needs of each individual's unique disability. Some of their inventions include a hair brush for a patient without arms, a tripod set that allowed a child who couldn't pick up the receiver to use the telephone.

In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Scaia have also designed and built items for the Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Home Health departments of both Virginia Baptist Hospital and Lynchburg General Hospital.

Mr. an Ms. Scaia receive funds from The Telephone Pioneers of America for materials.