Thursday, June 5, 2008

Tutorial eight; Assistive technology

Tutorial Eight: Assistive technology

Provide a definition of Assistive technology (your Cook and Hussey reading may be helpful with this).

Any 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 & Hussey, 2000).

Describe one piece of equipment introduced in the assistive technology tutorial. Provide information on size, cost and functions.

Gooshy Switch

This is a gel gooshy pad that is soft and sparkly. There are several options with this switch, you could have the switch only, vibration or vibration, music and light combined. This comes in several different colours and costs $69.09 for the switch only, $82.14 for the vibrating switch and $102.97 for the music, light and vibration.

How does your chosen piece of equipment increased functional capacity for the user? Provide examples here from the tutorial and lecture.

It allows the user to control whatever it is plugged into, by using actions of the hand, forearm, head or some other body part. The action used needs to be repetitive but not cause fatigue. In the tutorial today we used these devices to turn on radios and use computer programmes and to use a blender.

No comments: