Assistive Technology AT Goals of this presentation Help you see ways that AT can help you adapt to life with a spinal cord injury or spinal cord disease Discuss how technology helps to redefine Disability and helps to create resilience ID: 1038175
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1. Assistive Technology Using the power of technology for mobility, computer use, communication & control of the environment
2. Assistive Technology (AT)Goals of this presentation:Help you see ways that AT can help you adapt to life with a spinal cord injury or spinal cord diseaseDiscuss how technology helps to re-define “Disability” and helps to create “resilience”Show how AT can enable performance of daily activities and help individuals return to their valued human “occupations”
3. What is Assistive Technology?Definition: “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a person with a disability”Recognized in Federal Legislation in 1988 with the “Technology-Related Assistance Act” designed to increase public awareness put a “Tech Act” resource in every state for providing information and referral to resources
4. Assistive TechnologyWheeled Mobility & Specialized SeatingAdaptive Computer Access Electronic Aids to Daily LivingAlternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Home & Workplace ModificationsVehicle modifications & Adapted driving
5. Assistive TechnologyAmazing gear and gadgets! But, what is the key? The match between you and technology!We evaluate with the focus on you & your goalsWhere you live, what you do, & what is in your futureDetermine the best control methodsIdentify the technology that will make a difference and help you make informed decisionsHelp with set up, fit, and training in how to use it.
6. AT: Providing the Best Support
7. A New Model for DisabilityThink of trying to walk on a trampoline…The more severe the impairment, the deeper a body sinks into the trampolineWhen the surface of the mat is stiffer and more resilient it provides better supportAssistive Technology can add this “resilience”Modify the “tools”or the task to enable “doing.”Make needed changes in the lived environmentAdd human assistance when needed
8. Dealing with Your DisabilityRight now: You are using active rehab to improve the strength and ability of your body and learn new skillsActive rehab: Enhance unaffected parts and stimulate neural plasticityTeach adaptive strategies & adaptive equipmentPrevent secondary disabilityModify environmentsLearn about community supportsAssistive Technology
9. Goals for Assistive TechnologyCompensate for functional deficitsUsing a keyboard or speech to writeImprove task performance Work faster or with fewer errorsIncrease control over daily life activitiesResume roles: worker, student, volunteer, family member, community member, recreator.Improve quality of life & capacity as an “occupational being.”
10. AT: Designing Specialized SeatingAssess yours seated postureLook at issues of:Pressure managementPostural supportComfortMaximize your ability to use your upper extremities wellPrevent pressure ulcers and over-use injuriesPrevent spinal deformity and postural collapse
11. AT: Customizing Ultralight Manual WheelchairsAllow independent mobilityMaximize ability to self propelAn effective tool for:Mobility in accessible settings, Access to social & recreational activitiesA tool for resuming lifestyle; maintaining health & wellness
12. AT: Choosing the Features of Powered WheelchairsAllow independent mobilityUsing specialized controls to bypass any motor limitationAn effective tool for:Preventing pressure woundsMoving & managing postureChanging posture for various activitiesCommunicating & socializingControlling the environment
13. AT: Powered Wheelchairs and Power Add-OnsMaximize access to environments & activitiesFocus on activities & roles instead of “getting there.”Prevent over use injuries and enable improved pressure management/comfortBut…do require accessible environments
14. Adaptive Computer AccessMainstream commercial products are very useful and can help you get started with using a computer againKensington TrackballSpeech Recognition
15. AT: Adaptive Computer AccessEnables using a computer for: Shopping & BankingFinding community resourcesCommunicating & Sharing ideasLearning & EducationEmploymentDatingSurfing, games, blogging, etc.
16. AT: Adaptive Computer AccessComputers can be adapted for any impairment:Motor weakness In-coordinationLow visionLearning disabilityCombinations of these limitersWrite, journal, visit on Skype, shop, manage money and pay bills, search for resources on most anything, etc.Enable work or education
17. Adaptive Computer AccessAlternate keyboards & miceSpeech Recognition (tell the computer what to do or write)Enlarges and reads text Text-to-speech (speaks the words on a screen)Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
18. Electronic Aids for Daily LivingFor controlling things in your environment:TelephoneOpening and closing doorsHome entertainment Lights, fans, heat, & air-conditioningComputer or application based or stand-aloneCan be simple or complex
19. Electronic Aids for Daily LivingUses home automation technology to enable:Staying safely in your own environmentBeing able to entertain yourself or pursue your interests without having to ask for helpMaximizes your independence in your home or work environment.More and more commonplace due to Wi-Fi and internet devices
20. Electronic Aids for Daily LivingiPads, iPhones, iTouch and other Wi-Fi devices can send infrared and/or bluetooth signals and so can the controls of some power wheelchairs so you can operate those devices with your power wheelchair controller
21. Augmentative Communication DevicesAllows independent communication of needsRange in sophistication from:Simple communication of needs/wantsHighly developed language that allows saying anything!
22. Augmentative Communication Devices or Speech Generating DevicesEnables:Having your communication heard by othersMaking choicesDirecting attendant careCommunication with others who are not familiar communication partners
23. Augmentative Communication Devices or Speech Generating Devices
24. Benefits of Assistive TechnologyOur sense of ourselves is wrapped up in what we do!AT enables:Greater control over and participation in the events of everyday lifeCommunity livingCompetitive and supported employmentGetting involved in leisure activities
25. How Do You Get AT?Get referred for an assistive technology (AT) evaluation for “Instrumental Activities of Daily Living”Rehab facilities have therapists trained to assistFunding and resources can come from:Health insurance or the VA HealthcareMedicare or MedicaidOffice of Vocational Rehabilitation –for return to workThe Tech Act ProjectsThe Kentucky Assistive Technology Services NetworkINData: The Indiana Assistive Technology Act at Easter Seals Crossroads
26. Assistive TechnologyPeople with disabilities are increasingly a powerful presence in America, from our schools to our businesses to the halls of government --but maybe equally important, increasingly a welcome, comfortable, normal presence. President Roosevelt said, “No country, no matter how rich, can afford to waste its human resources!“President Bill Clinton, 1999
27. We now live an Age of Information TechnologyUse the Internet to learn more about ATSearch for “Assistive Technology and Spinal Cord InjuryUse plain language searches like “Spinal Cord Injury and Using a Smartphone”Christopher and Dana Reeve FoundationNational Spinal Cord Injury AssociationFacingDisability.org“How To” and training videos on YouTube orAT product websites and servicesCall the Tech Act Project in your state