Assistive Technology is define as any device, software or tool which is helpful for disable persons. They can better communicate, learn or go through their challenges.
According to Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988, definition of AT devices is
- Assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
- AT service means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.
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Assistive Technology devices and their uses
By the help of these devices, disable persons have ability to communicate or work with world. The assistive tools work as a person’s ears, hands, eyes or voice. Before invention of these devices, it’s very difficult to work for disable persons. They are unable to live their independent lives. They are not able to work outside world or communicate with them.
1. Eye Gaze Trackers
Various assistive innovation gadgets utilize eye gaze trackers. Eye gaze trackers helps individuals with physical weaknesses move a mouse on a PC screen or highlight words and expressions on a correspondence board. Eye following is the way toward estimating either the purpose of look (where one is looking) or the movement of an eye comparative with the head. An eye tracker is a gadget for estimating eye positions and eye development. Eye trackers are additionally being progressively utilizing for rehabilitative and assistive applications (related for example to control of wheel seats, mechanical arms and prostheses). There are various techniques for estimating eye development.
2. Hearing Aids
There is a scope of assistive innovation gadgets to help individuals who have hearing misfortune. Portable hearing aids/ assistants can help individuals who are nearly deaf; however for those with more prominent degrees of hearing misfortune, cochlear inserts can reestablish some level of hearing. A portable amplifier is a battery electronic gadget intend to improve your hearing. Sufficiently little to wear in or behind your ear, they make a few sounds stronger. They may assist you with hearing better when it’s low and when it’s loud.
3. Speech Generating Devices
Speech generating devices help individuals who have correspondence challenges to communicate with others without any problem. These correspondences help a client to enter a word or expression that is verbalized electronically. Speech Generating Devices (SGDs), also known as voice yield speech/communication aids, are electronic augmentative and alternative correspondence (AAC) frameworks used to enhance or substitute speech or composing for people with serious speech impedances, empowering them to verbally communicate. SGDs are significant for individuals who have restricted methods for connecting verbally, as they permit people to become dynamic members in communication. They are especially useful for patients experiencing ALS.
4. Wheel Chairs
Wheelchairs are gadgets that can be physically impelled or electrically pushed, and that incorporate a seating framework. Wheelchairs and other versatility gadgets permit individuals to perform mobility related exercises of everyday living which help them in toileting, dressing, bathing, and washing. The gadgets arrive in various varieties where they can be impelled either by hand or by engines. Regularly there are handles behind the seat for another person to do the pushing or information gadgets for parental figures. Wheelchairs are utilized by individuals for whom strolling is trouble or incomprehensible because of disease, injury, or handicap. Individuals with both sitting and strolling handicap regularly need to utilize a wheelchair or walker.
5. Memory Aids
Memory aids or devices are any kind of AT that enables a client to learn and recollect certain data. Numerous memory devices are utilizing for psychological hindrances, for example, reading, writing, composing, or authoritative challenges. For instance, a Smartpen records written by hand notes by making both a computerized duplicate and a sound chronicle of the content. Clients just tap certain pieces of their notes, the pen spares it, and peruses it back to them. From that point, the client can likewise download their notes onto a PC for expanded availability. Advanced voice recorders are likewise used to record “at the time” data for quick and simple review.
How do you choose the Right Assistive Technology?
It is much important to choose a right assistive technology for disable persons. For choosing AT you should consult with professional and trained consultant team, so they can help you to choose right device according to your need. The consultant team may be a family doctor, special educational teachers, pathologist speech language, therapists, and the persons that are working in companies manufacture assistive technology. Improper Choice may damage or harm disable person.
Who Pays for Assistive Technology?
Many AT devices charge you high cost and others charge you little cost. The Payment depends on the usage of technology or the user. Here are some examples:
- Special school systems pay for the special education material and technology for special students in an IEP.
- If doctor refer an essential assistive technology, the government pay for it. Like Social security, Veteran’s benefits, medical agencies etc.
- Private health insurance pays for certain assistive technology if a doctor prescribes it as a necessary medical or rehabilitative device.
- Health insurance companies pay for assistive technology if doctor prescribes in medical treatment.
- Recovery and occupation preparing programs, regardless of whether supported by government or private offices, may pay for assistive technology and preparing to assist individuals to get jobs.
- Employers may pay for assistive innovation that is a sensible convenience to empower a representative to perform fundamental occupation assignments.
Impacts of Assistive Technology
Overall, assistive technology plans to permit individuals with handicaps to take part more completely in all parts of life (home, school, and network)” and builds their chances for “instruction, social associations, and potential for important employment”. It makes more noteworthy autonomy and control for disable people. These remembered enhancements for “intellectual, social, correspondence, education, engine, versatile, and increments in commitment in learning activities”.
Additionally, it has been found to help parental figure load. Both family and expert guardians took benefit by assistive technology. In any case, their outstanding burden is altogether simpler as the assistive technology liberates them of playing out certain tasks. There are a few stages that utilization AT to recognize the fitting assistive gadget to propose to patients, making assistive gadgets increasingly open.
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