Introduction to Assistive Technology An Overview of Technology Colorado Department of Education

Overview OF Assistive Technology (AT) Devices  I. Objectives  A. Define assistive technology including the difference between low and high technology devices  B. Identify low and high assistive technology devices for:  1.Communication  2. Vision  3. Hearing  4. Learning/Cognition  5. Motor/Access  6. Ergonomics/Positioning

Assistive Technology (AT)  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.  “Public Law , the Technical Assistance to the States Act in the United States”

Definitions  Low Technology - “Generally refers to simpler interventions, such as custom- designed hand tools; workstations modifications; and simple, easy to use, inexpensive devices” (Galvin &Scherer, 1996, P.316).

Low Tech Example  Adapted Page Turners  Clothespins  Hair Ties  Page Fluffers

Low Tech Example PVC Pipe Play Cube

Low Tech Example Triwall Chair

Definitions  High technology - “usually refers to complex electrical and electronic devices, such as computers, augmentative- alternative communication boards, and environmental control systems” (Galvin & Scherer, 1996, P.316).

High Tech Examples Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices

High Tech Example Portable Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

High Tech Example Electric Powered Wheelchair

AT For Communication  Both low and high tech devices are available for people with severely impaired speech as well as for people who are non-verbal.

AAC Low Tech  Non-electronic devices with pictures and/or words. Typically made with pictures and symbols, either hand drawn or purchased commercially.

Example - AAC Low Tech Homemade communication board (Boardmaker Symbols)

Example – AAC Low Tech  Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)  Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc.

Example - AAC Low Tech E-tran

Example - AAC Low Tech Object Communication Board

Example - AAC Low Tech Communication Vest

Voice Output AAC Devices  Digital devices use live voice recordings to store words, phrases and/or sentences.  Synthetic devices are text-to-speech and require that words, phrases and/or sentences be typed directly into the device.

Example - AAC Low Tech Big Mac - single message communicator (digital speech)

Example - AAC Low Tech LITTLEmack - (digital speech)

AAC High Tech  Electronic devices usually with rechargeable battery  Synthetic speech or the more sophisticated digital devices  Large memory with ability to store several thousand words  Ability to interface with computers and environmental control units  Availability of various input methods

Example - AAC High Tech Pathfinder and Vanguard II

Example - AAC High Tech Chat PC II Saltillo Corporation

Example - AAC High Tech DynaMyte - DynaVox Systems

Example - AAC High Tech LightWRITER Toby Churchill (Zygo Industries)

Voice Amplification Systems  Voice amplification systems are used by people who have difficulty projecting their voice at a volume suitable for daily activities, used to compensate for reduced vocal output.

Example - Voice Amplification Voicette By Luminaud

Example – Speech Enhancer  Speech enhancers - can analyze and reconstruct speech, using not only audible sounds but also inaudible elements of the voice that are too subtle for the human ear to decipher.

Example – Speech Enhancer

Example - AAC High Tech Software Words + Talking Screen and E Z Keys DynaVox Systems Word Power and Communicate Mayer-Johnson, Inc. Speaking Dynamically Pro

AT for Vision  Definition of Visual Impairment - technically encompasses all degrees of vision loss, including total blindness, that affect a person’s ability to perform the usual task of daily life. (American Foundation for the Blind, 1990)

AT for Vision  Low vision - a vision loss that is severe enough to impede performance of everyday tasks, but still allows some useful visual discrimination. Cannot be corrected to normal by eyeglasses or contact lenses. (American Foundation for the Blind, 1990)

Example - Low Tech Vision Stand magnifiers Optical Aids

Example - Low Tech Vision Hand-heldmagnifiers OpticalAids Optical Aids

Example - Low Tech Vision Nonoptical Aids - Daily living aids Talking Alarm Clock and Watch

Example - Low Tech Vision Nonoptical Aids - Daily living aids Writing Guides - Check and envelope

Example - Low Tech Vision Tactile Compass & Puzzle, Beeper Ball

Example - Low Tech Vision Large Print & Braille Cards

Example - Low Tech Vision Kitchen aids

Example - Low Tech Vision Kitchen aids Braille & Large Print Timers

Example - Low Tech Vision Nonoptical Aids - Travel Aid Canes

Example - Low Tech Vision Fill Indicator

Example – Low Tech Vision  Tactile Schedules

Example - High Tech Vision  Freedom Scientific  Open Book

Example - High Tech Vision yFreedom Scientific

Example - High Tech Vision CCTV

Braille ‘n Speak & Type ‘n Speak

Example - High Tech Vision  Screen Readers JAWS for Windows Freedom Scientific  WindowEyes Assistive Technology Solutions

Example - High Tech Vision Braille Printer

Example - High Tech Vision Zoom Text Screen Magnification

Example – High Tech Vision  Kurzweil

Hearing Impairments  Varying degrees of hearing loss, from mild to profound, impacts millions of Americans. There is a wide range of AT devices available.

Example - Low Tech - Hearing Impairments  American Sign Language

Example - Low Tech - Hearing Impairments  Telephone Amplifier

Example - High Tech - Hearing Impairments  Alerting Devices

Example - Low Tech - Hearing Impairments

Example - High Tech - Hearing Impairments  Hearing Aids

Example - High Tech - Hearing Impairments  TTY’s  Text Telephones

Example - High Tech - Hearing Impairments  Cochlear Implants

Example - High Tech - Hearing Impairments  Closed Captioned Television

AT for Learning/Cognition  Definition of Learning Disorders-  Definition of Cognitive Impairment

Learning/Cognition Impairments  AlphaSmart 3000

Learning/Cognition High Tech Solution

Example – High Tech Learning/Cognition  Kurzweil

Learning/Cognition Impairments

AT for Motor/Access  Definition of Motor Impairments-

Motor/Access

AT for Ergonomics/Positioning Rationale/Description of…

Ergonomics/Positioning  Positioning

Ergonomics/Positioning  Positioning  PVC Chair

Advantages and Disadvantages of AT  Advantages  access  independence  life enhancement  savings  Disadvantages  training  cost  physical restrictions  training time

Summary At Overview  I. Objectives  A. Define assistive technology including the difference between no, low, and high technology devices, hard verses soft, and minimal to maximal technology  B. Identify low and high assistive technology devices for:  1. Communication  2. Vision  3. Hearing  4. Learning/Cognition  5. Motor/Access  6. Ergonomics/Positioning

Resources Insert contact information for your SWAAAC team here. The link to the SWAAAC website