Tutorial Eight: Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology is an umbrella term that is proposed in the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as referring to "products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities" (Gerard, 2001). As these functional outcomes are the real measure of the success of assistive technology devices, the primary aim of all assistive technology is to provide an increase in functional capacity for the individual (Cook & Hussey, 2000). It is very important as an Occupational Therapist, or any service or organisation that directly assists the individual with a disability to select, acquire and use assistive technology devices, to acknowledge that every circumstance and individual is unique and therefore each application of assistive technology needs to be carefully tailored to the persons needs, skills, activities and context. As I.T and technological devices become more and more advanced, it is inevitable that so to will assistive technology, and therefore individuals with disabilities will continue to gain greater increases in their functional abilities.


One of the pieces of technology that we were introduced to in the assistive technology tutorial was the iPad; a portable tablet computer designed and marketed by Apple Inc., first released in 2010. The newest version of the iPad is sleek and light, at a height of 241.2mm, a width of 185.7mm a depth of 9.4mm and a weight of just 652g, a far cry from the first ever computer which measured 2.4 meters, by 0.9 meters by 30 meters and weighed 30 tonnes - you couldn't fit that in your backpack! At its cheapest, the iPad costs around $729.00 for a 16GB version, and $1029.00 for more storage in the 64GB version. The iPad is host to a huge range of functions, such as a 2048-by-1536 pixel retina display, multi-touch screen, a 5MP inbuilt camera with 1030p video recording capabilities of 60 frames per second, wireless internet capabilities and bluetooth connectivity - to name only a few. It also has a number of built in applications such a mail, music, maps and many more, with the ability to buy and download thousands more via the Apple app store.

The iPad is a fantastic piece of assistive technology that can increase the occupational engagement for the user in a number of different ways through use of its many features and functions. In the tutorial session, when I was having a go with all of the adaptive equipment, I found the iPad to be and extremely engaging and interesting piece of equipment and one that could certainly be utilised by occupational therapist in order to increase the fuctional abilities of a person with a disability. Because the iPads functions are ever expandable through the use of downloadable applications, it is a tool that could be used for a variety of different purposes and therefore cater for the wide range of unique users that it may have. Non-verbal clients can use the iPad and its simple touch screen interface to communicate their needs and wants. For example, in the tutorial, we were able to use an iPad app as a communication tool to communicate and give directions to others while making a smoothie, without actually having to verbalise. There are also numerous apps that help clients with learning, scheduling, and many other areas.

The below link is a website called O.T's with Apps, and is a helpful resource that gives tips and tricks on using the applications, as well as reviewing their use and recommending them for O.T practice.

http://otswithapps.wordpress.com/

Here is the Apple store list of applications that are useful for people with Autism, Down Syndrome and other special needs.

http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/autism-apps/id441600681?mt=8

The above videos demonstrate how the use of an iPad and apps can make changes in the lives of those living with disabilities. In the first video, the little boy who can not verbally communicate is using the iPad to communicate which occupations that he wants to participate in, allowing him to be engaged in occupation that is meaningful to him, and therefore avoiding an state of occupational deprivation, where he is unable to do things that he wants to do due to a lack of ability to tell others. In the second video, the iPad is used as a tool that can increase the potential of people with autism, helping them to improve their occupational function and engagement in many areas. The use of assistive technology relates directly to the concept of occupational justice; that all members of society have a right to equally participate in their occupations, as it is often through the use of such technology that this humanistic principle can be fulfilled for individuals with disabilities.

References: 


Cook, A. M., & Hussey, S. M. (2000). Assistive technologies: principles and practice. St Louis: Mosby.


Gerard, D. (2001). What is assistive technology?. Retrieved from:  
                http://www.rehabtool.com/forum/discussions/1.html


YouTube. (2011). 2010 year of the iPad - focus on Austism. Retrieved 25th April 2012 from 
                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31yEs9itueE

YouTube. (2010). Child with special needs uses iPad to answer questions. Retrieved 25th April 2012
               from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EulS1MTqDo