Assistive technology

 

Cook, 2000 see’s assistive technologies as 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.

In other words an Occupational therapist can utilise their knowledge and knowledge of experts of equipment (such as the staff at star mobility )  to find ways of enabling an individual who has impairment but as this may come at an expense, the OT can use their skill to develop the existing equipment to suit the individual needs of clients.

Cook, A.M., & Hussey, S.M. (2000). Assistive technologies: principles and practice. St Louis: Mosby 

The iPad. 

There are many great pieces of equipment that star mobility(click the link) provide, the range that they have and knowledge they can offer a person is invaluable to a developing OT student.

The apple iPad has been with us for a few years now and offers individuals with a great way to pass time. But more importantly it is used in the rehabilitation of people. It allows for an increase in dexterity and there are apps like Proloquo2Go that allows the user to use commands such as “I need to go to the bathroom” with the touch of an icon.

The iPad has been modified to be smaller lighter and faster than when it was first launched in 2010, it now weighs in at between 652 g - 662 g it’s about 24cm high and 18.5 cm wide its paper thin just less than 1cm thick. The price starts at $730 and goes up to $1230 depending on size of the hard drive. Because of the iPad touch sensitive screen, apps are easy to open and manipulate, computer keyboards and mice can prove difficult to use, and limit the users.

The New York Times reports that the iPad has drawn support from several sectors of health care this link (iPadnewsdaily. 2010), shows some of the many apps that allow people whose disabilities hamper their communication abilities, to have a voice. 

This you tube clip shows how the iPad has helped over come occupational deprivation

And this you tube clip shows how the iPad helps a stroke patient on the way to recovery helping him with occupational transition.

References:

Cook, A.M., & Hussey, S.M. (2000). Assistive technologies: principles and practice. St Louis: Mosby 

iPadnewsdaily. (2010, May 21). Best iPad Health Care Apps Retrieved from http://www.ipadnewsdaily.com/74-best-ipad-health-care-apps.html