Class ObjectivesClass Objectives

• Demonstration of Assistive Demonstration of Assistive Technology (AT)Technology (AT)

• Benefits of ATBenefits of AT

• Quality of Life and ATQuality of Life and AT

• Limitations of ATLimitations of AT

• Health Care Providers and ATHealth Care Providers and AT

What is Assistive Technology What is Assistive Technology (AT)? (AT)?

• Assistive Technology (AT) is any Assistive Technology (AT) is any device that enables a person to device that enables a person to maintain or improve function. (maintain or improve function. (Helpful Helpful tools for Senior Citizenstools for Senior Citizens; Assistive ; Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii; 2000; page 8.)Hawaii; 2000; page 8.)

AT can be simple AT can be simple

A magnifying glass A magnifying glass A strawA straw Anti-glare screen for the monitorAnti-glare screen for the monitor Door handles instead of door knobsDoor handles instead of door knobs Calculators/clocks with extra large Calculators/clocks with extra large

digitsdigits

AT can be complexAT can be complex

Dragon NaturallySpeaking (software)Dragon NaturallySpeaking (software) JAWs (screen reader software) JAWs (screen reader software) ZoomText (screen magnifier ZoomText (screen magnifier

software)software) Talking clockTalking clock AlphaSmart portable note taker AlphaSmart portable note taker

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Dragon NaturallySpeaking softwaresoftware

ZoomText computer ZoomText computer softwaresoftware

Benefits of ATBenefits of AT

Maintains or improves daily Maintains or improves daily functionfunction

Reduces stress-related injuriesReduces stress-related injuries Eases integration into society Eases integration into society

(levels the “playing field”)(levels the “playing field”) Modifies the environment instead Modifies the environment instead

of the personof the person

Assistive Technology improves Assistive Technology improves the quality of lifethe quality of life

AT enables a person to function AT enables a person to function at his or her own pace. at his or her own pace.

AT fosters independent living.AT fosters independent living. AT levels the “playing field” so all AT levels the “playing field” so all

can participate.can participate.

Examples of AT include:Examples of AT include:

•TTY telephonesTTY telephones

•Automatic DoorsAutomatic Doors

•Adaptive ComputingAdaptive Computing

TTY telephoneTTY telephone

Automatic DoorAutomatic Door

Adaptive ComputingAdaptive Computing

AT also includes Adaptive AT also includes Adaptive ComputingComputing

Adaptive computingAdaptive computing is changing the is changing the computer via software or hardware to computer via software or hardware to make it more accessible to persons with a make it more accessible to persons with a disability. disability.

There are two types of Adaptive There are two types of Adaptive ComputingComputing

HardwareHardware

Ergonomic keyboardsErgonomic keyboards Trackball mouseTrackball mouse Large screen monitorsLarge screen monitors Head operated mouseHead operated mouse Video Magnifier (CCTV)Video Magnifier (CCTV)

SoftwareSoftware

Speech-to-text software Speech-to-text software (Dragon (Dragon NaturallySpeaking)NaturallySpeaking)

Screen reader software Screen reader software (JAWs)(JAWs)

Screen enlarging Screen enlarging software (ZoomText)software (ZoomText)

To determine what AT the person needs

Do a Fundamental Assessment Do a Fundamental Assessment Process (FAP)Process (FAP)

The person knows what works and The person knows what works and does not work for themdoes not work for them

After an initial trial period, if the After an initial trial period, if the person says they don’t like the AT or person says they don’t like the AT or says it ‘doesn’t work,’ then find other says it ‘doesn’t work,’ then find other AT to try. AT to try.

A good AT match is an interactive A good AT match is an interactive process.process.

When choosing ATWhen choosing AT

Match the person with the AT. Match the person with the AT. Personal likes and dislikes are Personal likes and dislikes are important in AT.important in AT.

Keep in mind the cost of the AT. AT Keep in mind the cost of the AT. AT ranges in price from inexpensive to ranges in price from inexpensive to very expensive.very expensive.

If the person is a computer If the person is a computer novice novice

• It may take the person a little longer It may take the person a little longer to learn to use the AT. to learn to use the AT.

• Mention this to the person, so they Mention this to the person, so they don’t get discouraged.don’t get discouraged.

• Sometimes it isn’t a ‘lack of Sometimes it isn’t a ‘lack of progress,’ it is just a part of the progress,’ it is just a part of the normal learning curve.normal learning curve.

Health Care Providers play an Health Care Providers play an important role in ATimportant role in AT

Health Care Providers are able to Health Care Providers are able to help the person determine what help the person determine what functional abilities they have. functional abilities they have.

Health Care Providers can suggest AT Health Care Providers can suggest AT when it is needed. when it is needed.

Health Care Providers can refer the Health Care Providers can refer the person to AT resources for more person to AT resources for more information. information.

Web sites for more information Web sites for more information about ATabout AT

Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii Hawaii www.atrc.orgwww.atrc.org

Pacific Disability and Business Technical Pacific Disability and Business Technical Assistance Assistance www.pacdbtac.orgwww.pacdbtac.org

Disability and Communication Access Disability and Communication Access Board Board www.hawaii.gov/health/dcabwww.hawaii.gov/health/dcab

Centers for Independent Living Centers for Independent Living http://interwork.sdsu.edu/projects/rrtcp/hcihttp://interwork.sdsu.edu/projects/rrtcp/hcil.htmll.html