Assisstive Technology

Hey every one, 

welcome to my last blog entry for this part of the course! It focuses on assistive technology.

Here are  some definitions of assistive technology 

The term assistive technology usually brings to mind high-tech devices, but federal legislation defines assistive technology as "any item, piece of equipment, or product system . . . that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capacities of individuals with disabilities." (Deloney & Tompkins, 1994)

 Assistive technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. Assistive technology can include mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs, as well as hardware, software, and peripherals that assist people with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies. (University of Washington, 2002).
 

 Assistive or Adaptive Technology commonly refers to "...products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities...", according to the definition proposed in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (Gerard, 2001).

So basically, what i take from that is that assistive technology is anything used by people with disabilities that has been adapted to increase, maintain or improve the persons functional ability.  So that could be anything from an app on an iphone or ipad to an orthosis that enables a student to grip a pencil.

One type of assistive technology that was introduced in our tutorials was an Ipad with a free app that allowed people to communicate via set phrases. The Ipad is get as it lets the user set key phrases that they use everyday and also allows them to interact more abley with the wider population or society. The Ipad can be easily converted for people who have no fine motor function by the use of a switch.


 http://store.apple.com/nz

Click HERE to see the features of the Ipad.

Click HERE to see the price of an Ipad at JB HI FI




 This video shows how the use of an ipad as an assistive device has helped improve a child fine and gross
 motor movement. Click HERE if you can't see it
.

A great blog to look at when looking at an ipad as assistive technology is the Spectronics Blog. To see a fantastic lecture by a speech language therapist please click HERE


And here is a nice wee video to finish the ball rolling, it show the use for technology in the classroom and is very insistant for more use of technology in the years to come!


And thats it folks! this is my last post for this part of my course! Good luck and hapy reading!

Gerard, D. (2001). What is assisstive technology. Retrieved 2 May 2012 from  http://www.rehabtool.com/forum/discussions/1.html

Deloney, P. & Tompkins, R.  (1994). Empowering Rural Students with Disabilities Through Assistive Technology. Retrieved 13 May 2012 from http://www.sedl.org/rural/seeds/assistivetech/atdefine.html .

University of Washington. (2002).What is assisstive technology. Retrieved 2 May 2012 from http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?109