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

2. 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

3. 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 100-407, the Technical Assistance to the States Act in the United States”

4. 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).

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

6. Low Tech Example PVC Pipe Play Cube

7. Low Tech Example Triwall Chair

8. 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).

9. High Tech Examples Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices

10. High Tech Example Portable Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

11. High Tech Example Electric Powered Wheelchair

12. 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.

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

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

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

16. Example - AAC Low Tech E-tran

17. Example - AAC Low Tech Object Communication Board

18. Example - AAC Low Tech Communication Vest

19. 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.

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

21. Example - AAC Low Tech LITTLEmack - (digital speech)

22. 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

23. Example - AAC High Tech Pathfinder and Vanguard II

24. Example - AAC High Tech Chat PC II Saltillo Corporation

25. Example - AAC High Tech DynaMyte - DynaVox Systems

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

27. 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.

28. Example - Voice Amplification Voicette By Luminaud

29. 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.

30. Example – Speech Enhancer

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

32. 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)

33. 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)

34. Example - Low Tech Vision Stand magnifiers Optical Aids

35. Example - Low Tech Vision Hand-heldmagnifiers OpticalAids Optical Aids

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

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

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

39. Example - Low Tech Vision Large Print & Braille Cards

40. Example - Low Tech Vision Kitchen aids

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

42. Example - Low Tech Vision Nonoptical Aids - Travel Aid Canes

43. Example - Low Tech Vision Fill Indicator

44. Example – Low Tech Vision  Tactile Schedules

45. Example - High Tech Vision  Freedom Scientific  Open Book

46. Example - High Tech Vision yFreedom Scientific

47. Example - High Tech Vision CCTV

48. Braille ‘n Speak & Type ‘n Speak

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

50. Example - High Tech Vision Braille Printer

51. Example - High Tech Vision Zoom Text Screen Magnification

52. Example – High Tech Vision  Kurzweil

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

54. Example - Low Tech - Hearing Impairments  American Sign Language

55. Example - Low Tech - Hearing Impairments  Telephone Amplifier

56. Example - High Tech - Hearing Impairments  Alerting Devices

57. Example - Low Tech - Hearing Impairments

59. Example - High Tech - Hearing Impairments  Hearing Aids

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

61. Example - High Tech - Hearing Impairments  Cochlear Implants

62. Example - High Tech - Hearing Impairments  Closed Captioned Television

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

64. Learning/Cognition Impairments  AlphaSmart 3000

65. Learning/Cognition High Tech Solution

66. Example – High Tech Learning/Cognition  Kurzweil

67. Learning/Cognition Impairments

68. AT for Motor/Access  Definition of Motor Impairments-

69. Motor/Access

79. AT for Ergonomics/Positioning Rationale/Description of…

80. Ergonomics/Positioning  Positioning

81. Ergonomics/Positioning  Positioning  PVC Chair

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

83. 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

84. Resources Insert contact information for your SWAAAC team here. The link to the SWAAAC website https://www2.uchsc.edu/swaaac/