Category:Assistive Technology
From Holoprosencephaly
Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, product or system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. This also includes any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of and assistive technology device (source: IDEA 2004; PL 108-446)
Some examples of Assistive Technology for:
COMMUNICATION:
Augmentative communication devices- products and equipment designed to help individuals with speech or writing disabilities to communicate. This may be something as simple as a page with picture choices, alphabet letters or words a person points to. More complex devices like a Go Talk allows users to insert cards with several different pictures on each page and when the picture is pressed, the device identifies the object out loud. Highly sophisticated devices include speaking computers with on-screen communication boards or touch screen computer screens.
Headwands- The device consists of plastic bands adjustable to the size of the user's head and reinforced with metal hardware, and topped with the aluminum pointer rod. This allows a user to control or activate a device by moving their head instead of using their hands
Mouthsticks- Usually aluminum or plastic with rubber coating, this is a wand operated by the tongue, intended for use by persons with no active neck motion or use of their hands. This allows users to operate pushbutton devices.
Big Mac Buttons- Large round button that allows users to hear a recorded message each time the button is pressed, for example: “I’m hungry, I’m wet or I’m tired”.
ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING:
Feeding aids-modified eating utensils, cups, plates Bathing- bathtub seats, grab bars/grips Tolieting- elevated toilet seats, wheeled commodes Dressing- dressing tables, adaptive clothing with modified fasteners or closers
AIDS FOR BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED:
Magnification- screen or word enlargement Devices that assist with Braille writing Sensors- alarms that may go off when a door opens or someone approaches the front door Reading Assistive Technology-taped audio books, scanning/document reading systems
ENVIRONMENTAL AIDS (reduce or remove physical barriers for disabled individuals):
Environmental adaptations- usually involve building, construction, engineering and architecture. This could be a ramp, a lowered counter space or widened door/hallway
Control switches- These are primarily electronic and allow users to control various appliance, lights, telephone and security systems in their room.
Manual Switch Activators- An example is the Jelly-Bean switch which consists of a round button with cord that plugs into a device or toy. Each time the button is pressed, the toy or device (such as a radio) is activated. Note: The device or toy must be ready-made to accept this type of plug or adapted with a battery-interrupter. A battery interrupter attaches the switch to the battery. Once connected, the toy or device will be activated when the switch is pressed instead of being operated with an on/off button.
AIDS FOR DEAF OR HEARING IMPAIRED:
Hearing aids- Amplify sounds
Signal/alerting systems- Usually attached to a light or an actual lighted device that goes off when something triggers it, for example if the phone rings or their baby cries, the light will flicker to alert the deaf individual.
TTY/TDD phones- allow users to type text and send over phone line through use of an operator or directly to a receiver who also has TTY/TDD device
THERAPUETIC AIDS:
Pressure modality equipment- pressure alternating mattresses, weighted vests or blankets Massage modality equipment- vibrating or massage mats, hand held massage items Therapy furnishings- therapeutic positioning mats, chairs or beds Sensory Integration equipment- brushes, beads, ankle or wrist weights, swings, trampolines
Sites providing Assistive Technology Equipment and/or Information
ABLEDATA: www.abledata.com/
This database of more than 20,000 commercially available rehabilitation products from more than 3,000 companies, includes personal care, therapeutic, recreation, sensory, educational, vocational, and transportation aids.
Enabling Devices: http://enablingdevices.com
Provides toys for special children and products for independent living.
Alliance for Technology Access (ATA): www.ataccess.org The ATA centers that can be found across the country help children and adults with disabilities, parents, teachers, employers, and others to explore computer systems, adaptive devices, and software. Use their database, the Hub, to locate and receive information on assistive technology products and services offered by the ATA members.
AssistiveTech.net: www.assistivetech.net This site offers four ways to search for assistive technology: (1) Function/Activity Search, where you select from the categories of functional limitation and activities; (2) Keyword Search; (3) Product Type Search (select from the categories of product types); and (4) Vendor Search (select from the list of vendor names).
Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD): www.fctd.info/resources/search.php This site provides hundreds of reviews of assistive technology resources such as books, newsletters, training manuals, software and Web sites. You can search by categories (e.g., accommodations, mobility aids, augmentative communication aids) crossed with disability (e.g., AD/HD, visual impairment) to locate resources addressing your particular concerns
Mayer-Johnson : www.mayer-johnson.com Adaptive equipment and assistive technology
Abilitations: www.abilitations.com/ Adaptive equipment and assistive technology
National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education (AccessIT):www.washington.edu/accessit/index.php
Answers for Families www.answers4families.org/common/toys.html Low-priced adaptive toys
