The Use Of Assistive Technologies Information Essay

The Use Of Assistive Technologies Information Essay

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In this unit the term “assistive technology” encompasses all technologies (high tech, low tech and no tech) which aid people (disabled or normal) to go about their daily life effectively and independently. In order to properly understand the uses and importance of Assistive Technology, some examples are sited below:

A short sighted student puts on glasses so he/she can read, thus, the glasses are an assistive technology.

A dyslexia patient cannot read the prescribed course texts and hence needs text-to speech software to scan and hear the words. Therefore both the scanner and the text-to-speech software are assistive technologies.

Also it has being noted that managing money is not the only problem that we are being faced with in this present society. There are also problems of facilities, technologies and the need for health care professionals to work efficiently in satisfying clients wants and demands, which tends to be a vital issue.
Scenario:

You have been recruited to work in a care home for 3 months. The care home has a limited access and availability of today’s assistive technologies. The manager introduces you to staff and residents as an experienced and valuable member of staff who has a good background in today’s assistive technology that is used within the health and social care sector. Your main role is to develop an understanding of the value and the use of the assistive technologies, its applications and implications on service and service users.

In relations to the above scenario write a detailed assignment covering the following points:
1
Investigate the use of and access to appropriate assistive and communication technologies for health and social care by:
Describing a range of technologies and devices available for use within health and social care.

Firstly, a brief introduction should be made on the meaning of Assistive Technology. These devices can be devices that substitutes or enhances physical or mental ability. According to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Assistive Technology devices are termed as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”. These devices can be any homemade or commercially sold device which helps individuals perform some daily tasks and hence ranges from low tech to high tech (pencil grips, Braille readers, etc)

In the UK, the government tend to encourage equal participation of all individuals especially those with disabilities and thus, extends the use of AT in the health and social care sectors. Prior to this, disabled personnel’s are considered as priorities in all cases which then lead to the term called Accommodation in the use of AT devices.
WHAT THEN IS ACCOMODATION?

It might sound rather daunting in using this word here, but it also plays a vital role as it relates to a way of modifying tasks for the disabled so that they can participate equally regardless of the nature of their condition. For instance, the use of calculator for a disabled student that cannot remember mathematic figures is a way of accommodating his/her present conditions.

Below is the list of devices and products of different assistive technology been used.
Ambulation
Architectural Access
Child Care
Communication
Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Ergonomics
Farm Management Adaptations
Health/Medical Equipment
Hearing Technology
Home Management
Mobility
Orthotics
Personal Care
Prosthetics
Recreation
Seating
Switches
Therapeutic Aids
Transportation
Vision Technology
Vocational/Educational
Working Animals
Ambulation

canes

cane accessories

crutches

crutch accessories

walkers

walker accessories
Architectural Access

bath tubs

bathroom remodel

bathroom sinks

cabinets

ceiling track lift

chair stair lift

doors/auto open

drinking fountain

elevators

house plans

kitchen remodel

kitchen sinks/appliances

lighting

pool lifts

ramps

safety/security

showers

toilets

wheelchair lifts
Child Care

cribs/playpens

high chairs

mattresses/bedding

monitors

strollers

walkers
Communication

augmentative communication devices (electronic)

book holders

communication boards

electric page turners

head wands

light pointers

manual page turners

mouth sticks

personal voice amplification

reading machines

signal systems

telephone access

television adaptations

typewriters

typing aids

writing aids
Computer Hardware

Braille printers

computer supplies

computer work stations

The Use Of Assistive Technologies Information Essay