Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

Types of AT DevicesTypes of AT Devices

Low-tech – Low-tech – non-electrical eg pencil gripnon-electrical eg pencil grip

High-tech – High-tech – computerised systems eg voice computerised systems eg voice recognition systemrecognition system

No-Tech – No-Tech – Human Assistance (PA), Family, Friends Human Assistance (PA), Family, Friends etcetc

Miscellaneous Examples of ATMiscellaneous Examples of AT

Aids for Daily Living Aids for Daily Living  >>   >>  Clocks Clocks  >>  Day  >>  Day Clock Clock

WALL CLOCK WITH DAY & DATEWALL CLOCK WITH DAY & DATEThe Wall Clock with Day & Date is a calendar The Wall Clock with Day & Date is a calendar clock designed for use with individuals with clock designed for use with individuals with Alzheimer's disease, cognitive disabilities, brain Alzheimer's disease, cognitive disabilities, brain injury, or memory disabilities. The rectangular injury, or memory disabilities. The rectangular clock dispays the day of the week, the date, and clock dispays the day of the week, the date, and the month the month

               

>>  >>  Housekeeping Housekeeping  >>   >>  Shopping Bag Handle Shopping Bag Handle 4. 4. EZ CARRYEZ CARRYEZ Carry is a shopping bag handle or EZ Carry is a shopping bag handle or carrier designed for use by individuals carrier designed for use by individuals with upper extremity disabilities or with upper extremity disabilities or arthitis or for seniors. This handle has arthitis or for seniors. This handle has an ergonomic, contoured grip and an ergonomic, contoured grip and supports up to 50 punds in plastic supports up to 50 punds in plastic shopping bags....shopping bags....[[

>>  >>  Controls Controls  >>   >>  Environmental Control Units Environmental Control Units  >>   >>  Environmental Control Unit Environmental Control Unit

The Companion Remote Control unit, The Companion Remote Control unit, model HC1800C, is a remote model HC1800C, is a remote environmental control unit designed environmental control unit designed for use by individuals with mobility or for use by individuals with mobility or severe physical disabilities or spinal severe physical disabilities or spinal cord injury. Using infrared and radio cord injury. Using infrared and radio frequency technology, the unit can .frequency technology, the unit can .

    Recreation Recreation  >>   >>  Garden Garden HandtoolsHandtools  >>   >>  Lightweight Garden Tool Lightweight Garden Tool 1. 1. FISKARS NYGLASS HAND TOOLSFISKARS NYGLASS HAND TOOLSFiskars Nyglass Hand Tools are a set Fiskars Nyglass Hand Tools are a set of short handled garden tools designed of short handled garden tools designed for use by individuals with carpal for use by individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or other tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or other upper extremity disabilities resulting in upper extremity disabilities resulting in limited hand strength. The set includes limited hand strength. The set includes a cultivator, trowela cultivator, trowel

    Housekeeping  >>  Powered Housekeeping  >>  Powered Door Opener for Trash Door Opener for Trash Receptacle with Swinging Receptacle with Swinging Door Door

1. I-OPENR1. I-OPENRThe I-OpenR is a powered door opener The I-OpenR is a powered door opener for a trash receptacle with a swinging for a trash receptacle with a swinging door designed for use by individuals door designed for use by individuals with upper extremity or severe with upper extremity or severe physical disabilities or spinal cord physical disabilities or spinal cord injury. Usable in the home or in injury. Usable in the home or in restaurants, food courts, and other restaurants, food courts, and other

>>  Housekeeping  >>  >>  Housekeeping  >>  Programmable Floor Programmable Floor Washer Washer 1. SCOOBA FLOOR WASHING 1. SCOOBA FLOOR WASHING ROBOTROBOTThe Scooba Floor Washing Robot is a The Scooba Floor Washing Robot is a programmable floor washer designed programmable floor washer designed for use by individuals with mobility or for use by individuals with mobility or upper extremity disabilities. This unit upper extremity disabilities. This unit uses prepares, cleans, and dries sealed uses prepares, cleans, and dries sealed hardwood, tile and linoleum flooring. hardwood, tile and linoleum flooring. The device prepares The device prepares

>>  Blind and Low Vision >>  Blind and Low Vision  >>  Voice Output  >>  Voice Output Calculator Calculator 18. MODIFIED CANON TALKING 18. MODIFIED CANON TALKING DESKTOP BUSINESS DESKTOP BUSINESS CALCULATOR (MODEL CP1213D-CALCULATOR (MODEL CP1213D-M)M)The Modified Canon Talking Desktop The Modified Canon Talking Desktop Business Calculator, model CP1213D-Business Calculator, model CP1213D-M, is a voice output calculator M, is a voice output calculator designed for use by individuals who designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This are blind or have low vision. This modified version of the Canon modified version of the Canon business calculator speaks entries and business calculator speaks entries and totalstotals

>>  Blind and Low Vision >>  Blind and Low Vision  >>  Voice Output Microwave  >>  Voice Output Microwave Oven Oven

3. TEMO TALKING MICROWAVE 3. TEMO TALKING MICROWAVE OVEN (MODELS 87106 & 87108)OVEN (MODELS 87106 & 87108)The Temo Talking Microwave Oven is The Temo Talking Microwave Oven is a voice output microwave oven a voice output microwave oven designed for use by individuals who designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. In are blind or have low vision. In addition to a talking control panel, this addition to a talking control panel, this microwave has a notched knob to set microwave has a notched knob to set cooking times. Speech output can be cooking times. Speech output can be in...in...

>>  Recreation  >>  >>  Recreation  >>  Board Games  >>  Voice Board Games  >>  Voice Output GOutput G2. EXPLORER GLOBE2. EXPLORER GLOBEThe Explorer Globe is a voice output The Explorer Globe is a voice output globe with interactive educational globe with interactive educational games designed for children with games designed for children with learning disabilities or low vision. learning disabilities or low vision. When a spot on the globe is touched When a spot on the globe is touched with a special pen, facts in selected with a special pen, facts in selected categories are spoken with a clear...categories are spoken with a clear...

Computer InputComputer Input

Conventional Input MethodsConventional Input Methods Alternatives to Keyboard InputAlternatives to Keyboard Input Alternatives to Mouse InputAlternatives to Mouse Input Input by SwitchInput by Switch Voice RecognitionVoice Recognition

Alternative KeyboardsAlternative Keyboards

Alternative Keyboard LayoutAlternative Keyboard Layout• QwertyQwerty• AlphabeticAlphabetic• Dvorak Keyboard/frequency of useDvorak Keyboard/frequency of use

Specialised KeyboardsSpecialised Keyboards• Microsoft Natural KeyboardMicrosoft Natural Keyboard• Ergonomic KeyboardErgonomic Keyboard

Expanded/mini KeyboardExpanded/mini Keyboard

Maltron Ergonomic KeyboardMaltron Ergonomic Keyboard

Maltron keyboardMaltron keyboard

Infra-red KeyboardInfra-red Keyboard

Infra-red KeyboardInfra-red Keyboard

BAT KeyboardBAT Keyboard

Intelli-keyboardIntelli-keyboard

Mini-KeyboardsMini-Keyboards

Tash Mini keyboard & keyguardTash Mini keyboard & keyguard

Cherry Mini KeyboardCherry Mini Keyboard

KeyguardsKeyguards

Mouse AlternativesMouse Alternatives

Alternative Pointing devicesAlternative Pointing devices• TrackballsTrackballs• joysticksjoysticks• Touch PadsTouch Pads

Head MouseHead Mouse Mouse EmulationMouse Emulation Touch ScreenTouch Screen Screen HotspotsScreen Hotspots

LogitechLogitechMarble mouseMarble mouse

TouchpadTouchpad

Joystick MouseJoystick Mouse

Penny and Giles Joystick PlusPenny and Giles Joystick Plus

Penny and Giles TrackerPenny and Giles Tracker

TrackerballTrackerball

Penny and Giles Trackball PlusPenny and Giles Trackball Plus

Head MouseHead MouseZygo Head MouseZygo Head Mouse

Augmentative Alternative Augmentative Alternative CommunicationCommunication

LightwriterLightwriter

Message Mate 20Message Mate 20

Big MackBig Mack

DigivoxDigivox

Touchpad PCTouchpad PC

Environmental ControlEnvironmental Control

Remote controlsRemote controls

Remote telephone setRemote telephone set

X-10 TechnologyX-10 Technology

Switch AccessSwitch Access

Single/Double Switch InputSingle/Double Switch Input On Screen KeyboardsOn Screen Keyboards Morse CodeMorse Code

Voice RecognitionVoice Recognition

Discrete/ContinuosDiscrete/Continuos Text InputText Input Hands FreeHands Free Successful UseSuccessful Use

• Speech ConsistencySpeech Consistency• literacy Skillsliteracy Skills• Familiar with PCsFamiliar with PCs• Patience!!!!!!!! Patience!!!!!!!!

Software Utilities Software Utilities

Microsoft Accessibility FeaturesMicrosoft Accessibility Features Abbreviation ExpansionAbbreviation Expansion Word PredictionWord Prediction MacrosMacros Maths ToolsMaths Tools

Accessibility OptionsAccessibility Options

““Sticky Keys”Sticky Keys” ““Filter Keys”Filter Keys” ““Toggle Keys”Toggle Keys” ““Mouse Keys”Mouse Keys” ““Easy Access” - for MacintoshEasy Access” - for Macintosh

Microsoft Accessibility WizardMicrosoft Accessibility Wizard

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Abbreviation ExpansionAbbreviation Expansion

Abbreviation Expansion is a method by Abbreviation Expansion is a method by Which maximum input may be obtained by Which maximum input may be obtained by assigning a letter/s to pre-stored phrases or assigning a letter/s to pre-stored phrases or sentences sentences

The Question is!The Question is!

““When technology removes limitations, what When technology removes limitations, what

we as individuals with disabilities can do we as individuals with disabilities can do

depends strictly upon our abilities, training depends strictly upon our abilities, training

and experience.”and experience.”Frank Bowe (U.S.)Frank Bowe (U.S.)

Access IssuesAccess Issues

Hand DexterityHand Dexterity MobilityMobility Communication Communication VisualVisual HearingHearing LearningLearning

Hand DexterityHand Dexterity

KeyguardsKeyguards Alternative KeyboardsAlternative Keyboards Alternative MiceAlternative Mice Accessibility FeaturesAccessibility Features

Hand Dexterity Cont’dHand Dexterity Cont’d

Dragon Naturally SpeakingDragon Naturally Speaking• (Sound Card)(Sound Card)• Noise Noise

Text Help (Word Prediction)Text Help (Word Prediction) On Screen Keyboards (NT-Future)On Screen Keyboards (NT-Future)

MobilityMobility

Physical Access to the LabPhysical Access to the Lab Accessible ToiletAccessible Toilet Height Adjustable TablesHeight Adjustable Tables Infra-Red Keyboards/MiceInfra-Red Keyboards/Mice Radio MikesRadio Mikes

CommunicationCommunication

Alternative & Augmentative Alternative & Augmentative Communication (AAC) devicesCommunication (AAC) devices

Specialised Software to link AAC device to Specialised Software to link AAC device to PcPc

Training for Staff on Communication skills Training for Staff on Communication skills

VisualVisual

MagnificationMagnification• Zoomtext Level 1Zoomtext Level 1• Zoomtext Level 2 - speech outputZoomtext Level 2 - speech output

Text ReaderText Reader• JawsJaws

Kurzweil 1000Kurzweil 1000• Scan & Read TextScan & Read Text

HearingHearing

Active Window – FlashingActive Window – Flashing

Fire Alarm/Time Up Fire Alarm/Time Up

LearningLearning

Voice RecognitionVoice Recognition

Reading Software/HardwareReading Software/Hardware• Text HelpText Help• Kurzweil 3000Kurzweil 3000

So many Examples of Assistive So many Examples of Assistive TechnologyTechnology

So what is it?So what is it? Are there formal Definitions?Are there formal Definitions?

The following are some major definitionsThe following are some major definitions

Definition of Assistive Definition of Assistive Technology Device:Technology Device:

Any item, piece of equipment or product system Any item, piece of equipment or product system

whether acquired commercially, off the shelf, whether acquired commercially, off the shelf,

modified or customised that is used to increase or modified or customised that is used to increase or

improve functional capabilities of individuals with improve functional capabilities of individuals with

disabilities.disabilities.(Technical assistance to the States act in U.S.)(Technical assistance to the States act in U.S.)

Definitions of Assistive Definitions of Assistive TechnologyTechnology

International ISO-9999 standard : Any International ISO-9999 standard : Any product, instrument, equipment or technical product, instrument, equipment or technical system used by a disabled or elderly person, system used by a disabled or elderly person, made specially or existing on the market, made specially or existing on the market, aimed to prevent, compensate, relive or aimed to prevent, compensate, relive or neutralize the deficiency, the inability of the neutralize the deficiency, the inability of the handicap.--technical and device orientated handicap.--technical and device orientated definitiondefinition

Definitions of Assistive Definitions of Assistive TechnologyTechnology

A. Cook and S. Hussey (Cook and Hussey, A. Cook and S. Hussey (Cook and Hussey, 95) : assistive Technology as a broad range 95) : assistive Technology as a broad range of devices, technical aids, strategies, of devices, technical aids, strategies, services, practices, with the main objective services, practices, with the main objective of improving the quality of life of the of improving the quality of life of the disabled and the elderly. - a broader disabled and the elderly. - a broader approachapproach

Definitions of Assistive Definitions of Assistive TechnologyTechnology

European HEART definition : the ultimate European HEART definition : the ultimate objective of AT is to contribute to the objective of AT is to contribute to the effective enhancement of the lives of people effective enhancement of the lives of people with disabilities and elderly people, helping with disabilities and elderly people, helping to overcome and solve their functional to overcome and solve their functional problems, reducing dependence on others, problems, reducing dependence on others, and contributing to the integration into the and contributing to the integration into the families and society. - outcome perspectivefamilies and society. - outcome perspective

What are the major concerns of ATWhat are the major concerns of AT

Since it involves manufactured products the Since it involves manufactured products the following are key aspectsfollowing are key aspects

Assistive Technology FieldAssistive Technology Field

ResearchResearch DevelopmentDevelopment ProductionProduction TradeTrade FinanceFinance Service DeliveryService Delivery Usage Usage

Research & DevelopmentResearch & Development

R&D contains research and development R&D contains research and development activities in science and engineering. R&D activities in science and engineering. R&D can be seen as the practice of can be seen as the practice of experimentation and the creation of new experimentation and the creation of new products and services. (Wagner and Yezil, products and services. (Wagner and Yezil, 1999)1999)

Production & TradeProduction & Trade

Big AT Companies – manufacture in low Big AT Companies – manufacture in low cost countries and assemble the products in cost countries and assemble the products in Western EuropeWestern Europe

SME’s niches in the AT marketSME’s niches in the AT market Trade similarTrade similar

Service DeliveryService Delivery

A lot of countries are medical orientatedA lot of countries are medical orientated

Web ResourcesWeb Resources

Physical disabilitiesPhysical disabilities www.crc.iewww.crc.iewww.atireland.iewww.atireland.ie (future) (future)

Hearing impairmentsHearing impairments www.nadp.iewww.nadp.ie

Visual impairmentsVisual impairments www.ncbi.iewww.ncbi.ie

DyslexiaDyslexia www.iol.ie/~acldwww.iol.ie/~acldwww.dyslexia-inst.org.ukwww.dyslexia-inst.org.uk

EducationEducation www.scoilnet.iewww.scoilnet.ie