For Tutorial eight we were asked to first
define assistive technology. Assistive Technology is described “[a]n item,
piece of equipment or product system whether acquired commercially off the
shelf, modified or customized that is used to increase or improve functional
capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (Cook and Hussey, 2000, p.5).
Also cited in Cook and Hussy, 2000 is
what these technologies include. This involves assistive, rehab or
educational technologies, hardware and software technologies, general and
specific technologies, appliances and tools.
Saying this in my own words I would say
assistive technology is any equipment that assists individuals to carry out
desired occupations.
|
We were then asked to describe
one to piece of equipment introduced in the assistive technology tutorial by
Star Mobility. The product I have chosen is a talking photo album. This comes
in A5, A4 and A3 sized frames. A5 costs $98.00, A4 $105.00 and A3 $122.00.
The description on the STAR
mobility website says “Combine literacy and ICT with this Talking Photo Album. Record your
stories, timetables or messages with our Talking Photo Album. Simply insert
drawings or photographs into the plastic wallets and record up to a 10 second
message on every page. Great for Dementia patients” (STAR Disability and
Mobility Centre, 2011, para 1).
Next we were asked Trev How the equipment
increased occupational engagement for the user? Providing examples from the
tutorial and lecturer. STAR Disability and Mobility explained that these
talking photo frames were useful for a variety of reasons. Firstly they could
be used to help individuals with that cannot remember (for example that have
dementia or a TBI) a description of the image in the sleeve. This could be a
holiday or vacation, family and friends photos or anything else. Secondly
they could be used for nonverbal individuals as a way of communicating to
others, giving them a voice. Thirdly they could be given to individuals with
reading aphasia as a way to remember recipes or other daily tasks such as the
steps in dressing oneself. Many other examples of how this assist are
explained below This piece of assistive technology helps give individuals
independent and communication skills increasing their occupational engagement
in tasks.
Provide
examples of the equipment’s use from online sources (minimum or 2 examples). This can be done by hyper linking to blogs,
internet sites, You Tube videos, podcasts etc. How does this relate to occupation concepts
introduced in tutorial one e.g. occupational justice, occupational
disruption, occupational transition, or occupational deprivation?
This site titled Talking Photo Albums for Independent Living by
Talking Products Ltd is an advertisement on a talking
photo frame similar to the one at Star Disability and Mobility is used. It
shows many ways it can be used to enhance occupational engagement. These
include audible guidance for daily tasks, audible reminders, a way of
medication management, a place to put phone numbers or emergency procedures,
visual and audible instructions for operating domestic appliances, and a
voice for someone that cannot speak.
Here's its hyperlink http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=X2Rfa-6RmbE&NR=1.
This relates to the occupation concept
used in tutorial one of occupational deprivation because it enables
individuals to overcome some of their disabilities and become more
independent with their occupations enabling them to overcome occupational
deprivation. Some examples of this are shown above these include audible
guidance for daily tasks, audible reminders, a way of medication management,
a place to put phone numbers or emergency procedures, visual and audible
instructions for operating domestic appliances, and a voice for someone that
cannot speak.
|
References:
STAR Disability and Mobility Centre (2011). Talking photo albums. Retrieved from http://www.starmobility.co.nz/recordable-voice-devices-1/aids/talking-photo-album-a5.html?options=cart
Youtube (2012). Talking photo albums for Independent living by talking products ltd.retreived from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=X2Rfa-6RmbE&NR=1 date retrieved 23/04/2012
Youtube (2012).Talking photo frame project retreieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=X2Rfa-6RmbE&NR=1
retrieved 23/04/2012