Assistive Technology
Technology significantly influences the way most of us go about our daily living. It is engraved into several daily activities we engage upon and influences the way in which we function in our homes, workplaces, and communities. It has changed how we work, learn, communicate, relax, or pursue recreational activities, travel, and shop. It could be said that technology has been created to make human life easier. With each invention and innovation of a technological device, there has been a certain tasks that has been simplified for the human race. This could as early as the invention of the bike, making transportation for humans faster and easier. As we proceed in time, it goes onto the invention of the light bulb, to make it easier to see at night, the typewriter, to write faster with more eligibility.
Assistive technology is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities” (Assistive Technology Industry Association, 2017). This technology can vary from low-tech to high-tech, from hardware to software, can be inclusive or specialized, and much more. The purpose of assistive technology is to help people who have trouble speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, and many other things. We have come to realize that different disabilities require different types of help.
Some assistive technology is available in computer operating systems, browsers, and other types of software. “These build-in supports may include magnification features, specialized keyboard configuration options, auditory and visual prompts, or screen reading” (Library Media Connection, 2006). These supports vary from product to product and is determined by legislation, the aging workforce, and diversity factors.
Low-Tech
The most common type of assistive technology, low-tech, is defined as “devices or equipment that don’t require much training, may be less expensive and do not have complex or mechanical features” (Gatfl.org, 2017). This includes but are not limited to canes, walkers, teachers, magnifiers, visual schedules, adapted pencil, and so on.
Mid-Tech
Mid-tech assistive technology “may have complex features, may be electronic or batter operated, may require some training to learn how to use and are more expensive than the low-tech devices” (Gatfl.org, 2017). This includes but are not limited to tape recorders, audio books, headphones, visual timers, and so on.
High-Tech
High tech assistive technology is defined as “the most complex devices or equipment that have digital or electronic components, may be computerized, will likely require training and effort to learn how to use and cost the most” (Gatfl.org, 2017). This includes but is not limited to power wheelchairs, hearing aids, scanners, text-to speech software, and so on.
Physical Disabilities
When an individual has limitations related to impairments in strength, movement, or coordination, the objective is to look for an assistive technology designed to compensate for the specific problem. “Desirable characteristics may include lightweight design; products that slide or glide to reduce the need to lift; mechanisms that extend a person’s reach; device components that enhance stability, offer larger surface area, or provide increased friction; or clamping/gripping mechanisms” (The Engineering handbook of smart technology for aging, disability, and independence, 2009). An example of such devices are rubber handle knobs and faucet grip covers that provided easier access to be activated by requiring less effort for gripping and twisting. Another example long-handled brushers which makes reaching easier with less stretching or bending when the movement is restricted at shoulders, hips, or knees.
Vision Loss
When the individual has limitations related to vision, the objective is to “enhance residual visual abilities by using compensatory strategies and identify assistive technology devices that provide increased lighting, higher contrast, enlarged text and images and auditory and or tactile feedback in places of visual cues” (The Engineering handbook of smart technology for aging, disability, and independence, 2009). Examples of already existing low-tech devices are large-number thermostat to make it easier to read and adjust household temperature controls, talking calculators that state the calculations out loud, color-coded and large-number measuring spoon set that makes it easier to identify correct measurements for cooking.
Hearing Loss
When the individual has limitations related to impaired hearing, the objective is to “identify assistive technology devices that amplify sound, reduce background noise, improve acoustics, substitute text and graphics for speech, and replace auditory signals with those that provide vibration or light in place of sound” (The Engineering handbook of smart technology for aging, disability, and independence, 2009). Examples of low-tech devices for hearing loss include vibrating or flashing kitchen timers, flashing smoke detectors, captioned TV, and so on. An unknown interesting fact is that by law, “all movie theaters must supply headphones (free of charge) with volume control for people who are hard of hearing” (The Engineering handbook of smart technology for aging, disability, and independence, 2009).
Cognition
When the individual has limitations related to cognition, it can be caused by age, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, head injuries, and so on. Examples of low-tech assistive technology designed to aid with cognition are electronic organizers, vibrating medication watch, orientation clocks that notes the time, date, and day of the week and so on.
Communication
When the individual has limitations related to communication, it can be “related to deficits in speech mechanisms, language processing, hearing, vision, and motor skills. (The Engineering handbook of smart technology for aging, disability, and independence, 2009). Low tech assistive technology designed to help with speech impairment could be a simple voice output device that produce a limited amount of spoken messages. Low tech assistive technology designed to help with writing impairment could include adaptive pens, writing guides, and word processors.
Mobility
When the individual has limitations related to mobility, the objective is to identify an assistive technology to provide support in “balance, strength, flexibility, range of motion, ability to bear weight, activity tolerance, muscle tremors or spasms, and /or paralysis” (The Engineering handbook of smart technology for aging, disability, and independence, 2009). The most common type of low-tech assistive technology for mobility are grab bars, handrails, standing poles, canes, walkers, and so on.