The Role of Assistive Technology in Providing Services to Victims with Disabilities D.J. Stemmler, COTA, BA Clinical Administrator University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Center for Assistive Technology

Objectives The objectives for the presentation is to define Assistive Technology (AT). Provide those in attendance with a knowledge of the different areas of Assistive Technology Provide examples of low and high tech assistive technology devices commonly used by people with disabilities. To understand that role Assistive Technology can play in serving victims

Assistive Technology is… Any item, piece of equipment, or product whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of people with disabilities.

Areas of Assistive Technology Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Augmentative Communication Environment Transportation Sensory Computer Access

Statistics There is an estimated 54 million Americans with a special needs. The number will increase with the graying of America 10 million Americans with disabilities are working age and unemployed

Common Disabilities to use Assistive Technology Spinal Cord Injuries Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Cerebral Palsy Spina Bifida Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Aging Diabetes and Associated Issues

Assistive Technology Team Members and Possible Providers Most Important CLIENT! Occupational Therapist Physical Therapist Speech and Language Therapist Rehabilitation Engineers Audiologist Machinist Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians Suppliers and Manufacturers Case Manager/Clinical Administrators

Mobility Aids Wheelchairs –Manual Standard/Light Weight/Ultra Lightweight –Motorized Front wheel drive Rear wheel drive Midwheel drive –Scooters 3 and 4 wheel –Combinations Power assist Walkers Canes

Seating Accessories Power Seat Elevator Power Recline Power Tilt Power Elevating Legs Standing Chairs

Control Methods Hands, Arms Joystick Standard Chin Control Head control Sip and puff Head Movement Tongue Touch

Communication Aids Low Tech –Communication Boards –Sign Language –Writing, pointing, gesturing High Tech –Augmentative Communication Devices- Speech output –Print Output –Text messaging/

Environmental Factors to Consider in your service area Parking Doors to Entrances and Exits Accessible paths to Buildings Bathrooms Lights Waiting Area Culturally appropriate surroundings

Home Environmental Issues Phone Lights Door Television/DVD/Radio Call bell if in a hospital or assisted living Bed control

Transportation Accessible Public Transportation Accessible Para transit Personal Vehicle Modification –Scooter, Chair lifts –Portable Ramps –Automatic Doors Ramps –Hand controls, reduced effort steering –Digicontrol Vans

Sensory AT Assistive Listening Devices –TTY/TTD –Relay –Amplifiers –Hearing Aids –Signaling Device –Voice Over –Captioning- Open Real Time

Sensory AT Blindness or Low Vision –Signage –Minimal Point Font Size for Print –Enlarged Print –Text To Speech –Audible Signals for thing like crosswalks, elevators, buses –Canes –Assistant Animals

Computer AT Input Devices –Adaptive Keyboard –Switches –Voice Recognition –Communication Devices Output –Braille –Large Print –Text to Speech

What Does AT Mean to Victims A mechanism or means to: –Move –Communicate –Read Material –Consent –Get Away –Get To –TAKE CONTROL

Why Isn’t AT Used? Devices aren’t available Victim Service Agencies aren’t familiar with AT and don’t know how to use it. There isn’t adequate representation of words or symbols to tell what happened No one acts as a facilitator between victim, device and legal system

Summary Typically people with disabilities and victims are served by separate agencies. Because people with disabilities are frequently also victims of violence there is an increasing need to address service provision issues. Just as there is an effort to reach out to diverse populations there needs to be a recognition that people with disabilities are part of that and under served diverse population. It also needs to be recognized that typical service provision isn’t working.

WHY AssistiveTechnology? Assistive Technology can be one of the many bridges used to link the two communities; the disabled and victim services communities. Providing victims with an environment that recognizes and supports the use of AT devices and services increases the chances the victims with disabilities will utilize the services. It will help the communicate, report crimes, seek services and most of take and keep control over their lives.

Conclusion Taking away AT devices in places like emergency rooms and police stations is similar to tying a victim to a chair or covering their mouth with tape so they can’t speak. Wheels are their legs, computers their voices and to not recognize the important role they play is no more grievous than not recognizing that people with disabilities are also victims. This presentation will introduce AT as an important treatment modality.