Assistive Technology

Assistive or Adaptive Technology commonly refers to "products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities"(Rehab tool, 2012). My understanding of assistive technology are the products used which enable people with disabilities to achieve communication, education, work and daily living tasks. According to Rehab Tool, 2012 assistive technology devices can improve anything from physical or mental functioning to help improve a person's capacity to learn and enhance independence and the quality of a person's life.

One piece of assistive technology that Dave talked about in the tutorial was the 'talking photo album'. When I first saw this I was intrigued as to how this would work and be of benefit to a person with a disability. I will briefly describe what the 'talking photo album' is. The size of the photo album is A5, but opens up to an A4 size and costs around $50.00 from Jaycar. The function of the photo album was to document any significant things the service user did from school that day and week with a pre recorded message which they take home. It's designed as a good way for teachers and parents to communicate between school and home. It works by the service user pressing a button on each page and speaking in to a small voice recorder to record a message and on that page they would have a photo as visual evidence of what the service user did that day. The photo album has up to 100 minutes of recording and contains 20 doubled sided pages with built in speakers.

I have posted a video below to describe ways in which people can use and benefit from the talking photo album. This equipment relates to occupational justice, according to (Christiansen & Townsend, 2010) occupational justice means that we look at diverse occupational needs, strengths and potential of individuals and groups, while at the same time considering issues of rights, fairness, empowerment and enablement of occupational opportunities. This photo diary is occupational justice as it provides meaningful opportunities for disabled people to have social interaction with others.

Here is a youtube clip of the 'talking photo album' and the benefits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMcQJLPMFwA

References:

Christiansen, C.H., & Townsend, E.A. (2010). Introduction to occupation: The art and

        science of living (2^nd ed.). New Jersey, Upper Saddle River. USA: Pearson

        Education, Inc.

Rehab tool. (2012). What is assistive technology. Retrieved from http://www.rehabtool.com/forum/discussions/1.html.

YouTube. (2012). Talking photo album. Retrieved from http:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMcQJLPMFwA