Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Tutorial Eight: Assistive technology

Wikipedias Definition "Assistive technology or adaptive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks."

My Definition Assistve technology is technology which aids people in completing a task or function they can not do own their own due to illness or disability. Types of assistve technology are, Sock aids, communication devices, touch screens, electronic pointing devices, switches, the list goes on.

The iPad was an example of assistive technology from our tutorial. This can cost up to $1450 or as little as $499, depending on its edition and how many mega bites it has. It is 7.31" wide and 9.50" in length. It has 250+ functions which include a storage device for photos and videos, a portal for the Internet, a gaming machine, a way to read books and many more!!

When used as an assisstive technology it enables the user to have a communication device. For those who are non verbal they can use the touch screen to write the words they want to verbalise, the iPad will put a voice to there words. For those who are verbal but do not have the motor skills to write they can speak into the iPad and it will write for them. this allows them to write emails and communicate online. There are many other functions that can assist people living with a disability, especially cognitive disabilities. there art, music, educational and fun apps that will help develop cognitive skills and allow the user to participate in occupations they previously could not.

This is a link to the Apple website which has all the details and pictures of the Apple i Pad

Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/iPad. Retrieved May 12, 2011,

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