Term Paper on "Assistive Technology Is a Generic Term"

Term Paper 6 pages (2522 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Assistive Technology is a generic term that refers to any equipment or article or object that is generally used to either increase or maintain or improve in some way the capabilities of those people who are suffering from any type of disabilities or impairment. These objects may be commercially acquired or modifies or at times customized to suit the individual who would be using it. Assistive Technology can also refer to those devices that are used by people with disabilities to have an easy access to computers. Some of the more often used Assistive Technologies are text-to-speech screen readers, voice recognition software, alternative keyboards, certain head pointing equipment, and screen magnifiers. The term can also refer to the several processes that are generally used in the selection and the location of these assistive devices for an individual. (Definitions of Assistive Technology)

These are some of the Assistive Technology equipment that is frequently used by people with disabilities. One is the 'Speech Recognition' software that is most often used by those individuals who are afflicted with the common learning disabilities like, for example, dyslexia, in which a person has a difficulty in understanding language, including words, sentences, and paragraphs, and dysgraphia, in which a person cannot form letters to write with properly, and when he cannot write within a particular confined space. However, the speech recognition software needs the individual to undergo a basic training process, by which the computer will be trained into recognizing and accepting that particular user's speech patterns. Once the program is able to recognize the speech patterns of the user, he can then proceed with it, and use this assistive technology as a successful writing tool. (Ability Hub: Frequently Asked Questions)

However, the user must possess basic computer usage skills as well as word processing skills, and then he would be able to make the optimum best use of this assistive technology. Another program is the 'Screen Magnifier', which is immensely helpful to those individuals who are visually impaired. The software called 'Touch Screen' is in effect a clear sheet of plastic that has small tiny sensors embedded within it, and it is these sensors that would be able to detect the slightest pressure either from a finger tip or from any other pointing device. This assistive technology is very useful to those persons who are unable, on account of their disabilities, to use the traditional mouse. In a similar manner, the 'Quick Glance' Program enables its user to use the computer in a hands free mode, because this program has a camera that is mounted on the monitor of the computer, which will focus on the eye of the user. The cursor also known as the 'gaze point' will be placed on the particular spot that the individual is looking at that point of time. The 'click' of the mouse will be done when the used either blinks or slowly shuts his eye. This assistive device is useful for those who may not be able to use the mouse for some reason. (Ability Hub: Frequently Asked Questions)

The innate benefit of using assistive technology for disabled members of society is that these people would now be able to be more independent and self-confident, and also be accepted into the mainstream of life by being productive members of society, and would also be able to live on their own without help and assistance from anybody else. If this technology was to be applied to children with disabilities early in life, then they would be able to do much more for themselves, like for example, a child who cannot use here hands will now be able to control the mouse with her eyes, a child who cannot speak can now use the speech recognition program and 'teach' her computer to recognize his voice, and a visually impaired child can now use the screen magnifier to see better. (Family Guide to assistive Technology)

However, it is not always easy to acquire assistive technology, and it needs plenty of research as well as patience and persistence and expense to find exactly the right device to use, which would benefit the user, more than any other device. When a parent is faced with the need to make a decision about acquiring an assistive technology device for their child or relative, they must be wise about making the final decision, and evaluate the technology with an unbiased eye before taking the final plunge. These are some of the matters to be considered before acquiring the device, otherwise it would be extremely difficult to maintain it: does the device or the program work well, and it is easy to learn and to apply? Does the device have any other purpose, and is it flexible for other uses? Is it simple or is it complicated? Will the person who will use it be comfortable with it, and can it be used in his environment? Is it portable? Is it durable? Is it safe, and would it be able to withstand misuse? Will it fit into the user's lifestyle? Will he be able to operate it without assistance, and will he be able to lead a more normal life?

After all these consideration, when the assisted device has been required, the parents or the relatives of the individual must evaluate the ways and means of maintaining the device, and they must fix up additional visits by the evaluator so that he may visit the individual and make sure that the device is being used properly and well. This is because of the fact that when a person starts to use an assistive device, the entire family of the patient must understand the device completely; and this in turn would lead to the parents treating the device as a 'difference equalizer', and not as a 'difference maker'. The classmate and friends of the child or the user must also be briefed on the device, so that they may be able to understand the need for that child to be the same as others, in spite of his disability. Besides, it would help if the parent were to keep track of the latest developments, and to find out whether the child needs to have his device updated. (Family Guide to assistive Technology)

Sometimes, when the parent or the primary caregiver has decided to acquire an assistive device for their child or family member, it would be useful to refer to a checklist that lists the various areas that they have to research before they buy the device. This is termed the 'Assistive Technology Evaluation Checklist'. (Reiter; Retish, 1999) Deaf persons would be able to acquire several assistive devices, like for example, the several different types of vibrotactile apparatus that are available in the market. (Lang, 1994) the methods of assistance for language impaired children would also have to be analyzed thoroughly to see whether or not the child is able to understand the syntax of language or not, and then proceed to acquire the program bets suited for that individual. (Finn; Johnson; Paul; Watson, 2001)

Procuring an assistive technology device may not be a simple thing to do. This is because of the fact that the child has to be completely and thoroughly evaluated and only then must the device be acquired. For example, if the child is a 'motor impaired' person, then his motor functioning will be affected, and this would mean that the device should help him in his motor functions. Motor impairment can be congenital or even acquired, and would encompass a wide range of disabilities involving the neurological and the musculoskeletal systems of the body. The assistive device must be able to help the child overcome his difficulties in these areas, like sitting, walking, positioning, transitional movements like for example, from standing to sitting to lying down, and so on. The normal assistive devices for such children or people would be walkers, crutches, braces, prostheses, etc., and the pediatrician or physician would need to make an accurate assessment of all the disabilities that motor impairment can lead to, like for example, learning disabilities, speech disorders, sensory impairment, and so on. In a nutshell, it must be stated that when one needs to use an assistive technology device with success, then one must coordinate with the physician and other helpers to formulate a specific program so that the device may be procured and used and would offer the optimum bets results. (Michaud, 2004)

When an assistive technology device is to be used at home, there are numerous factors to be considered. The first one is that people with disabilities must now be integrated into the mainstream of society, and the people associated with them must ensure that all possible means are used for the propose, so that persons with any type of disabilities may be able to live independent and self-confident lives, without leaning on others for assistance. The world in itself is becoming increasingly technologically advanced daily, and it is time disabled… READ MORE

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