Assistive technology

What is Assistive technology you may wonder?
I like how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: United Sates Department of Commerce (2011) define it as:

"Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." 

So basically, (from what I understand), assistive technology is any type of technology, whether it be hardware/ software which assists/ helps a person with a disability in functionally performing tasks and improving their capabilities.
Cook and Hussey (1995) state a number of important components to include in the definition of assistive technology.
Firstly, including modified, customized and commercial devices means we "encompass an extremely wide range of applications" (p. 8). Secondly by talking about the functional capabilities of the individual the success of assistive technology devices can be measured from visible functional outcomes. And thirdly the "emphasis on individual persons with disabilities underscores the importance of treating each application of technology as a unique circumstance" (p. 8).

A particular piece of assistive technology that was introduced in our tutorial was an iPad. The latest iPad is an iPad 2. I am not yet familiar with all the functions and options available that the iPad 2 has to offer and therefore want to explore it more.
The iPad 2 measures 185 by 241 by 86mm, and weighs in at 603 grams
Cost: $799.00
Functions:
-6x faster than original iPad
-Face time video chat
-Board games and games, you can choose many games (apps) when you own an iPad that are very interactive
-Interactive books
-Have your own book library with all your favorite books
-Flick through book pages
-Record your own voice
-Take photos
-Photos move according to the orientation of ipad
-Watch movies
-Easy to navigate, flick, slide through photos
-Create music from the garage band application: play keyboard, drums etc....
-Type on the touch screen
-Click on a dice which rolls
-Internet  connection

The iPad 2 increases occupational capacity for the user by allowing them to do so many things. Just some examples are the voice recorder: This allows a person to record their own voice which can remind them of messages/ tasks they must do etc... or can benefit other people, eg. a mother can read a story and record her voice so that her children can follow along on an online book. The iPad 2 also allows a person to easily and quickly type a message that they want to say to another person. This can beneficail, if (for example) they are non-verbal. A person who cannot throw a dice is still able to use one with this technology.
In our tutorial and lecture, we got to play some of the interactive games that are available. There was music creator on the garage band application, the opportunity to play board games, or be creative and make colorful, fun pieces of art. There were so many opportunities to do different things on this iPad.

Here is some more info on iPads, check out these videos and the link provided

-In-depth preview: The iPad 2

Cook, A. M., & Hussey. S. M. (1995). Assistive technologies: Principals and practice. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: United Sates Department of Commerce. (2011). Glossary of section 508 terms. Retrieved from http://www.cio.noaa.gov/Policy_Programs//508_Glossary.html

Linking to blogs of interest and exchanging comments

On the Pediatric OT blog---> (listed under the 5 blogs of interest), I read an article posted on the 16th April about I-pad's being heavily used in Kindergartens in America!! I was shocked to learn that they use this kind of technology in such a setting with healthy, young children.
I decided to post a comment under the article to find out what areas (biologically) would the child suffer in with continued use of an I-pad in kindergartens.

Natasha said...

Hi there,
I'm a second year occupational therapy student studying in New Zealand and am just exploring a few occupational therapy based blogs. I find the above article on I-pads interesting and yet very disturbing at the same time. While I understand I-pads can be really useful for those that have certain impairments and are living with a disability...but using them in kindergartens for young, healthy children?---> I have never heard of such a thing and think its totally outrageous!!
I wanted to ask you what other areas (other than fine motor skills) would the child suffer in with continued use of an I-pad in kindergartens?
I'm sure this would have huge effects on all areas of the child's development, especially cognitively which could lead to great problems in the future!

April 18, 2011 3:30 PM

To view the response to this comment made by Your Therapy Source Inc, click here

Exchanging comments is a great way to connect with other health professionals and learn more about an area of interest.

The internet and online communities

The three online communities I have been particularly interested in is:

 -Youtube: http://www.youtube.com
The intended purpose of Youtube is that its a site which allows people to connect with others through videos and film. A person can create or watch videos of particular interest to them and share this with the public. Searching on Youtube, I came across some amazing videos of people living with a disability and sharing their stories about it. After watching, I got a good understanding of how the particular disability has effected their lives, I learnt a lot about the disability and I was able to share my thoughts on the comment space underneath. This comment could then be read and responded to by other viewers as well as the video producer.   

- Psych forum: http://www.psychforums.com/
The purpose of this forum is for therapists, anyone from the general public or people who feel they have a problem to speak up and share their experiences publically. In order to read posts, you do not have to be a member. But if you wish to give some advice or participate in conversation, then you have to sign up. People with disabilities have the opportunity and chance to be heard, express themselves and get help. Therapists can practice their skills and the general public can learn more about the various types of disabilities. 

-Personal blog of person living with cerebral palsy:  http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/
The purpose of Glenda Watson’s Hyatt blog is to inform and educate others about her experiences' and life story living with cerebral palsy. She is also promoting her book: “I’ll do it myself”. She has given out her personal contact information: (email and twitter contact) so that anyone reading her blog can contact her directly if they wish. On one of Glenda’s post, Glenda has shared her experience using the iPad to communicate. An interested researcher has commented Glenda asking for more information about her experiences using this assistive technology. 
These three online communities have allowed people with disabilities to speak out, express themselves and their feelings at the same time educating others and interacting with them. 

The services provided for each site:
Youtube: This site is very interactive. If you sign up to become a member, you can comment on all the videos and make your own profile. What you contribute depends on what you feel you want to contribute! Some people have left comments saying that they admire the person's strength in overcoming the challenges that they have to face every day due to their disability, others would say that they too have the same sort of disability and therefore can relate to the person etc... You can also add friends/communicate with others via your and their profiles. So far, from the particular videos of people talking about their lives living with a disability that I have seen, many have developed huge support networks from people all around the world.

Psych forum: This is also a very interactive site. Anyone anywhere can leave a comment, whether it be therapists, members of the general public or other people seeking help living with a disability. All they need to do is sign up. Once signed up, they can contribute advice, share their own experiences or thoughts on a particular topic.

Personal blog of person living with cerebral palsy:  This site is less interactive than the other two sites. Comments are hidden and more emphasis is put on Glenda and the information she chooses to share on her post. However people can still contribute ideas and comment where some have already. All you need to do is fill in some details and then post your comment. People that have commented Glenda so far have responded to a particular posting by either asking questions or giving some advice.


People may choose to contribute to each community for a number of reasons, just some are:

-They can learn from other participants
-They can connect to people that live on the other side of the world
-Can connect with people who share similar interests, (like-minded individuals)
-Can foster a sense of unity and understanding
-Can watch from a distance if they are nervous, a bit reluctant to join, (eg. A discussion about depression on a forum)
They could be seeking comfort, a safe and understanding community, connection with like-minded individuals.  
The information can be beneficial for both parties through these communities, I do not believe that information that is read or expressed is only a one way benefit. Both parties (the author and audience) generally learn/ gain something new from one another when sharing information.

Here is an example of comments made to Glenda’s blog post by different people. Glenda was talking about upgrading from an iPad to an iPad 2. She was sharing advice on what to do with her old iPad. She made a number of suggestions to the public about what they can do with their old iPads: who they could donate it too.

Comment by Melody

March 3, 2011 @ 5:03 am

Another place they can think about donating to is http://www.ihelpspecialneeds.com . They are a recent start up company trying to get iPads in the hands of special needs children.they accept donations that then fpo to families who contact them with no other way of getting an iPad.

565821

Comment by Joanna Paterson

March 3, 2011 @ 8:47 am

What a great idea! Maybe someone should mention it to Apple…?

565861

Comment by Barbara

March 3, 2011 @ 10:17 am

I will be sharing this post with my therapist-friends. Thanks, Glenda!

The potential ethical issues that may arise from these online community are:
-misuse
-escape from the real world, only living in the virtual world and neglecting their own daily occupations
-Validity of information
-Rapid growth of online communities may result in unperceived changes.

The benefits these communities provide over traditional geographical communities are that they give individuals a space to connect with others that share similar interests and concerns. These people that one connects with may live on the other side of the world. Another benefit is that writers can feel safer as they can choose how much they want to disclose of their identity.
However what online communities lack which traditional communities can provide are the physical, ‘real’ sense of community where you are interacting face to face with other people. You can physically see and hear the support and love received from another person, sharing interests and having the ability to physically participate in those interests with someone. Seeing the person can mean connections and relationships feel more genuine or ‘real’.