Assistive Technology

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Assistive Technology

• June 4th, 2001
• Yoosun Chung

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What is Assistive Technology?

• Any item, piece of equipment or product system,
  whether acquired commercially, off the shelf,
  modified, or customized, that is improve
  functional capabilities of individuals with
  disabilities.
• It also includes services necessary in the
  selection, acquisition or use of an assistive
  technology device.

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What is Assistive Technology Device?

• 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 individuals with disabilities.
• It could be as simple as a pencil grip or as
  complex as a computer.

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Examples of AT Devices.

• Positioning walkers, standing aids, floor
  sitters, etc.
• Self Care adapted utensils, specially designed
  toilet seats, etc.
• Augmentative and alternative communication -
  symbol systems, speech synthesizers, etc.
• Environmental Controls remote control switches
  and special adaptations of on/off switches, etc.
• Assistive Listening - hearing aids, closed
  caption TV, etc.

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Examples of AT Devices (Continued)

• Visual Aids - enlarging images, making use of
  tactile and auditory materials, magnifying
  devices, Braille, etc.
• Mobility - self propelled walkers, powered
  wheelchairs, etc.
• Physical Education, Leisure, and Play - computer
  games, painting with a head stick, wheelchairs
  adapted for participation in sports.
• Computer Access - touch window, speech
  recognition, keyguards, etc.

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Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Device

• Any other communication methods other than
  speech.
• Gestures, sign languages and facial expressions
• Picture symbol board
• Sophisticated computer systems with synthesized
  speech - I use this.

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Why AAC is needed?

• Any person has right to express his / her need,
  whether he / she has disability or not, and
  whether his / her disability is severe or not.
• When somebody has communication problem and
  cannot communicate through the speech, that does
  not mean that there is no right to communicate
  for him / her.
• To satisfied with basic right, person needs a
  right AAC for him / her.

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Trends of current AAC

• Towards the end of the 1970s, AAC began to be
  viewed as a legitimate method of communication
• Many professionals felt that children would opt
  for the lazy method of communication and would
  not push themselves to learn speech once AAC was
  provided. --- This is my dilemma.
• In my case...

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Examples of AAC

• Picture Communication Board
• Eye gaze
• Dedicate communication device
• computerized device

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Access Methods

• Direct Selection
• Indirect Selection - Scanning

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Tips of purchasing AT device in Korea.

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