Assistive Technology Devices - Coursework Example

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: INTRODUCTION: Assistive technology refers to those devices that are used by people that are disabled in one way or another, these devices assist and also rehabilitate people with disabilities and they enable individuals to perform various tasks that they were unable to accomplish in the past. These devices range from low technology devices such as pencil grips to more complex devices such as computers and computer software. Devices can be grouped in terms of type of disability and in this paper we group devices depending on the type of disabilities they perform, this include the deaf, the blind, those with communication problems and finally those with other forms of disabilities. The device used however will depend on the level of disability where some of individuals may be partially impaired and therefore require less technological advanced devices. This paper also discusses the various advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of these devices, it highlights the benefits the disabled may derive from the use of these devices and also discuss some of the possible problems that may result from the use of these devices. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES: There are various types of assistive technology devices whose function depend on the kind of disability of an individual, the following is a definition of the various types of devices that aid individuals who are blind, deaf, have communication problem and those who suffer from other types of disabilities. The blind: Various assistive technology are available for the blind, some of these devices include eye glasses, books recorded on tape, Braille stylus, talking or large key calculators, Braille printer and speech feedback computers. All these devices are aimed at enhancing task performance among the blind or visually impaired individuals.1 Communication problems: Individuals with communication problems include individuals with language problems and devices that are used include the use of pictures and photographs, eye pointing systems, communication boards, voice output devices, touch screens, software dictionaries and translation devices. All these devices aid those individuals who have communication problems.2 Hearing disabilities: These devices are aimed at enhancing communication with those who have hearing problems, some of the hearing aids include amplified phone devices and headphones, telecaption decoders, vibrotactile devices, recorded books in CD and tapes, phonic ear and pictures and photographs.3 Other forms of disabilities: Other forms of disabilities include individual who have difficult in performing activities other than the individuals mentioned above, these devices in include tilt board, key guards, slant board, arm support, portable word processors, adapted keyboard and mouse, onscreen keyboards and modified computer software.4 Learning disabilities: Picture schedules, talking word processors that are portable, electronic reminders and reminders, word predicting software, talking devices, graphic software and text reading software.5 The diagram below shows a Braille used by the blind, from the diagram it is evident that each letter has a particular set of points which are read using the hand. Each section of the coded letter is a cell that contains 6 points, using the six points it is possible to have 64 different combinations and each set of dots have a different meaning, example in the above diagram shows the alphabets in Braille form. The above diagram was retrieved from www.braillecards.co.uk. Advancemrnt in technology has made devices that are more easier to use, for example the Braille assistive machine which is shown below. The diagram below shows a Braille assistive machine for the blind, from the diagram it is evident that each letter has a particular set of points which are read using the hand. The diagram was retrieved from www.lssproducts.com ADVANTAGES OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: This section discusses the various advantages associated with assistive technology, these devices have greater advantages that disadvantages in assisting and rehabilitating individuals with disabilities, these advantages include: Improved communication: There are a variety of devices that aid disabled individuals to communicate, some of these devices include speech easy and the answering machine, The Speech easy machine helps those with speech difficulties especially that who stutter, these devices are portable and are fitted behind the ear and it help individuals to easily make speeches without difficulties.6 The Answering machine is also an assistive technology device that helps individuals to answer their phones when they are not around, for people with impairment this is one of the devices that helps receive message via phone when they are not able to get up and receive calls. For the visual impaired individuals there are devices that will speak the dialed numbers in such a way that the individual will identify any error made, hearing impaired individuals may also use devices that amplify the voice from phones, therefore it is evident that assistive technology devices has helped improve communication with people with disabilities.7 Enhanced communication has also helped individuals to communicate with others in case of emergencies,8 for example the personal emergency response system (PERS) which is a device that help individuals to signal for help in case of emergencies,9 Reducing dependency: The aged and disabled require proper care and therefore depend on others to cater for their expenses and also to help them perform tasks, with the help of assistive technology the depends of these individuals on others has reduced and this is because they are now able to perform tasks on their own without direct supervision by others, as a result of this dependency has reduced and this has helped to reduce costs.10 Enhanced learning: Assistive technology enhances learning and this is one of its major advantages, there are a number of devices that aid individuals in learning example the use of Braille is one of the methods that was adopted many years ago that help the blind to read, therefore one of the most important function that assistive technology has played is to enable learning among the disabled and this has boosted the productivity of people with disabilities by empowering them with education and information. Easier computing and performance of various tasks: Assistive technology devices are aimed at assisting the disabled to perform tasks, adaptive computing is one of this methods used to enable the disabled to use computers with much more ease, devices are specifically designed for example to enlarge items on the screen, the availability of alternative input devices, screen readers and software that will allow the user to dictate commands. As a result of the availability of these devices computing by the disabled has become much easier and therefore has benefited people with disabilities.11 Reducing risks: It is also evident that assistive technology will reduce risks that most of the disabled persons may face, example a smoke detection device will alert individuals to take necessary actions and therefore reduce risks, other devices used by the disabled will reduce risks in various ways and therefore this is an added advantage of assistive technology. DISADVANTAGES OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: The devices used in adding the disabled have negative impacts on the society, these impacts are discussed below and they include: Cost: Not all individuals access these devices and this is because of their social status associated with economic classes, example a personal emergency response system (PERS) will not be allocate to anyone and only a few people will benefit. Also majority of disabled individuals do not access these devices due to the high cost of these devices and this has led to inequality. 12 Some of these devices are very costly and therefore not all needy people afford to have these devices and therefore these devices promote inequality. Loss of jobs: The disabled will depend on other people for assistance and in moist cases there is an individual employed in order to help the disabled to perform their tasks, as a result of the introduction of assistive technology there has been an increase in job losses because their employers are now able to perform task on their own using the various devices. Side effects: There are various side effects that may be associated with the use of assistive technology, scientist may not immediately establish some of the side effects of the use of these devices, one of the major problem is that disabled individuals become over dependent on these devices in such a way that they may not perform tasks without them, as a result individuals become over depend on these devices in such a way that their lives are not complete without assistive technology devices. Conclusion: Assistive technology devices are used by the disabled and they assist and rehabilitate people with disabilities, they also enable the performance of various tasks that were impossible or difficult to accomplish. These devices are categorized into groups depending on individuals they assist; some of the highlighted groups include the deaf, blind, those with communication problems and those with other forms of disabilities. Benefits derived from assistive technology include improved communication and a good example is the speech easy device, the reduction of dependency on aid when performing tasks, easier learning by individuals and finally easy performance of tasks and easy computing. Disadvantages or the negative impacts associated with the use of assistive technology include the high cost of these devices and also high maintenance costs that may not be affordable, the loss of jobs whereby machines may replace previously employed individuals whose task is replaced by machines and finally other side effects of use of these machines which may not yet be established and the other problem is the over dependency on the use of machines to perform tasks., However lives are better with the use of assistive technology devices and therefore we cannot dismiss the positive changes it has caused in our society, therefore there is need to reduce the negative impacts caused by use of these devices so that it is more safe to use these devices, these devices should also be made affordable to each and every individual in the society in order for them to live better lives. References: Alexandra Enders and Zachary Brandt (2007) Using geographic information to manage emergency disasters: Disability Policy Studies, Spring 2007; 17, 4 Braille Card (2008) Braille picture, retrieved on 26th October, available at www.braillecards.co.uk Emma Murphy and Graham McAllister (2000) an empirical investigation into the difficulties experienced, online journal, 23rd October 2000 John Williams (2006) assistive technology makes a difference, the exceptional parent, February 2006, 36; 2 Kevin Doughty (2004) Supporting independence: The emerging role of technology Housing, Care and Support, Feb 2004; 7, 1 Lubinski R (1997) communication technology for the elderly, singular publishers, California North Central region education laboratory (2007) Assistive technology, retrieved on 26th October, available at http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te7assist.htm Seeman L. (2004) the semantic web and device independence, ACM Press, New York William Mann (1997) common telecommunication technology for older people with disabilities, fall 1997, 21; 3 Roger Holt (2000) Family Guide to Assistive Technology, McGraw Hill Publishers, New York Read More