#assitive technology

[kreeds1]

The decision to choose a college is a difficult one for many high school students, however it is more difficult for those who use wheelchairs. This is due to college campuses level of accessibility on campus. College campuses that offer accessibility, academic services, and private rooms help those who use wheelchairs find success on campus. It is a difficult decision for these students to find the university that has the most accessible features to fit their needs. Yet, once they are able to determine the best fit, they tend to discover a enjoyment in the college experience. There is a level of independence that they experience and find exciting experiences all while making new friends. I think many college campuses need to take this article into consideration to make sure that all their campuses are accessible for students. I know that some colleges may have requirements for accessibility satisfied, but it is necessary that they go above and beyond so that students who use wheelchairs aren’t limited by physical demands. If students are limited by physical demands, this also sets them up to be limited in social demands and further learning opportunities. 

[kreeds1]

(via Eye-tracking tech: Countdown to lift-off? - E & T Magazine)

Eye-gaze or eye-tracking software has been discussed in class, and we were able to see a demonstration of it from Mr. Cunningham. Eye-gaze replaces the need to a mouse and keyboard and uses a person’s eye movements to determine what he or she wants to type, browse, or file to open. Different players in the game are Samsung with EyeCan+, Tobii (which we know of), and SensoMotoric and are starting to move eye-gaze into new fields such as video-gaming. Profit gain is a large part of the reason for companies to expand this technology into new fields. Eye-tracking technology went from being thousands of dollars some years ago to $100-$200 dollars. 

Tobii is on the eye-gaze developer giants that has linked up with a gaming company, SteelSeries, to provide eye-gaze technology to PC games. It can be used as a third-person camera, can give an analysis of the player’s eye movements so he or she can improve one’s game, and finally, to videotape their play and give insight into their movements for fans. Eye-gaze may even move into mobile device gaming by next year. 

The article notes that eye-gaze is not perfect because it is always “on” when using it so it has a difficult time determining interaction and eye movements of perception. My example for understanding this is to think about using eye gaze to get to a website. You can purposefully focus on the web icon until it is light up, and then move your eyes over to the column to select double-click to open it. But, say when you are on the website, you are reading and the eye gaze is thinking you are wanting to select a function on the screen. This could be potentially distracting and time consuming. 

So how does this apply to Occupational therapy and assistive technology? Hopefully, if companies venture out to using this technology into new domains, it will shed further light on newer and better eye-gaze technologies for those who are limited. If the gaming industry is able to put eye-gaze on a mobile phone, another developer could take the foundation of that technology and apply it towards those who are unable to use his or her limbs, such as with high spinal cord injury. I also believe that if more people use this technology, ideas and concerns will be voiced; thus, generating ideas for improving this technology. 

[kreeds1]

This Ring Reads Books And Magazines To The Blind

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing an audio reading device to be worn on the index finger of people whose vision is impaired, giving t

This article was accessed through Pinterest.com

3D printing...3D printing!! That is all that I ever hear about since I have been researching the topic for use in orthotics and OT intervention. Here, 3D printing is used to create a ring-like scanner that reads text and relays the information back to the person using it. The person simply moves their finger along a line of text, and the device does all the work. It even vibrates to give feedback to the individual if he or she starts to get away from the text line. 

This device would be used for the blind, and it allows the person to be more aware of there environment, feel independence, and have increased participation in social activities and with products that they are not usual able to interact with. For example, if you were blind and wanted to go to a restaurant, yet the restaurant did not have a braille menu, the person can use this device to listen to the items on the menu and make an informed decision. Previously, a blind person might have to ask the person whom they are dining out with. Yet, problems arise in this situation because the person may only read the products that they think sound good or that they think their friend/S.O. would like. This technology gives the individual complete independence over choice and gives he or she the chance to interact with the product or experience. 

The only thing that this product has issues with is the touch screen devices, which are dominating society today. If the person touches the screen, then that tactile input opens up whatever was hit. This is a limitation to this product, and I can’t think of way where they could disable the touch on a “touch screen” device because that is the way that you “use” the device. I am interested to see where this device is headed and any improvements that are made. 

[exceptionalunivrse]

Students with Visual Impairments Push Through Barriers

Students with Visual Impairments Push Through Barriers

This article chronicles the activities of two Bismark High School Students who have visual impairments. The use of technology and the support of their teams at school enable them to successfully attend classes, get employment and plan for the future.

Bismarck High School seniors Amber Kraft and Cole Roberts are just like any other teenagers going off on their own, but with a characteristic they…

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[queerability]

A wheelchair suitable for rough terrain that can be locally repaired was among 23 low-tech innovations recently shortlisted for an awardorganised by a charitable arm of technology firm Siemens.   Publicity for low-tech solutions such as the shortlisted wheelchair is excellent  news for disabled people. But while this particular assistive device has been designed with the end users in mind, many others are not and so fail to deliver on their potential usefulness and longevity in low-income countries.   Wheelchairs are a politically charged subject in disability circles. This often surprises non-disabled people. Many believe that, when it comes to wheelchair provision, something is better than nothing; that exporting used wheelchairs or sending wheelchairs using design that wouldn’t be approved in the West to developing countries will wholly transform physically impaired people’s lives.   But some specialist organisations, including NGOs Motivation and Whirlwind Wheelchair, have long campaigned that the ‘something-is-better-than-nothing’ attitude can harm physically impaired people.   An ill-fitting wheelchair can cause serious and potentially fatal healthproblems such as pressure sores, spinal curvature and spinal contractures. [1] When I highlight the fact that wheelchair donations made with good intentions can unintentionally cause harm, people tend to be shocked.   Wheelchairs are like shoes: they should fit the user well. This means that local fitting services are important. Good practice examples of such services are the Association for People with Disability (APD) in India, and Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation (CCBRT) in Tanzania, which both offer a range of support services to their local populations. [2, 3] But many wheelchair donation programmes do not ensure local fitting services are part of the provision package.   Donated wheelchairs designed for Western hospitals or evenly-surfaced roads are rarely robust enough for the rough terrain found in most low-income countries. The Leveraged Freedom Wheelchair from the shortlist is adapted for these conditions — a good design feature.

Wheelchairs should be maintained - and ideally produced - locally toavoid them quickly becoming redundant. The article on the awards shortlist reports that standard wheelchairs last six months on average. The shortlisted wheelchair uses commonly available bicycle parts so local bike shops can repair it — another great feature that means the chairs should typically last five years or more, according to the news.   By making the wheelchair locally repairable the designers have sought to put its end users at the heart of its design. This practice is similar to the Appropriate Technology concept that organisations such as the NGO Practical Action (formerly ITDG) have promoted for decades. All wheelchairs should be designed according to these principles; that technological choice and application should be decentralised, people-centred and locally maintained and controlled.   The WHO has produced excellent guidelines on good practice in wheelchair provision, consistent with Appropriate Technology approaches. The guidelines were the result of extensive consultations with wheelchair providers and users globally. [4] The WHO is rolling out a global training programme based on these that is designed to promote good wheelchair provision throughout the developing world.   This award has offered an opportunity to confirm that assistive technologies including wheelchairs need to be low-tech and maintained locally to be of significant use to disabled people in developing countries. I urge all those involved in technology provision in and to the global South to adopt these principles.

(title is a link)

[irishteachers]

Assistive Touch

http://dlvr.it/2fN8dF - Tech Made Easy

[irishteachers]

60 Mins Documentary on iPad and Autism

http://dlvr.it/2Qz0KP - Tech Made Easy

[otl1fe]

I am working with a 10 year old girl with a rare genetic disorder.  She is completely non-verbal and only knows limited signs.  I am working with her OT, Behavioral Therapists, and caregivers to work on developing skills through the use of her iPad.  I am currently researching applications that OT use.  Here is a great link of resources. If you have any to share...please do. :)