Tutorial Eight : Assistive Technology

Task One: Provide a definition of Assistive Technology.

Assistive Technology (AT) is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. According to disability advocates, technology is often created without regard to people with disabilities, creating unnecessary barriers to hundreds of millions of people. Retrieved 5th June 2008 from http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/assistive+technology

Task Two: Describe one piece of equipment introduced in the Assistive technology tutorial.

A Blink Switch - This was attached to a pair of glasses, when the wearer of the glasses blinks it will turn the stereo either on or off.
This is a very compact device, which fits onto a normal pair of everyday glasses, and has a cord running to a small control box that sits on the table or bench beside the user this controls the sensitivity of the blink action. It costs around $1000.00.

Task Three: How does you chosen piece of equipment increase the functional capacity for the user?

This piece of assistive equipment is an important tool for a person with a severe physical disability with a limited range of movement or a person who is non-verbal to have some control over their environment and aid them in communicating.