Tutorial Eight

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. Another You tube site I came across was a News cast of a Talking Photo Album Project at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Adelaide. It was used to aid Dementia and CALD patients. Many positive results came from using this assistive device. This included reminding them of who friends and family were, reassurance through someone’s voice recording when someone is not with them. Also it could be used to communicate with people from a different cultural back group; it can also help maintain a person’s dignity.  The project said 1 in 3 people will suffer with dementia and the end of their lives, which is a high percentage, this device is a way of enabling them independence through occupation.Here is the hyperlink it was achieved from 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