Advantages And Disadvantages Of Assistive Technology

Using Assistive Technology tools, people with dementia can remain independent for as long as possible. It is important for a person with dementia who can take care themself when they are alone.

An assistive technology device can be an item, software system, or piece of equipment used to increase, improve, or maintain the functional capabilities of a student with disabilities. It can help a person with a disability complete tasks they need to perform on a daily basis. Assistive technology services serve to directly assist students with disabilities in the selection or use of an assistive technology device. For some students with disabilities, assistive technology is important because they would not be able to benefit form their educational program. Assistive technology is a part of the Individualized Education Plan for each student. The educational team for the student must ask if there is a device that will improve their functional capabilities. If the educational team discovers that the child could benefit from a device that fits that description, the school district is required to provide the service along with training to use the device (Lewis, 1998).

Illinois Legal Aid. (2002, November). Retrieved from Disabilities Guidebook: Technology-Related Assistance for People with Disabilities: http://www.illinoislegalaid.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.dsp_content&contentid=205

This technology includes voice amplifiers, wheelchair software, and other computing software to assist learning for those with a disabilities. The technology used is high tech especially in the wheelchair software. If the system was to fail it could lead to potential distress or harm of the individual in the wheelchair. In addition, staff must be properly trained so they are capable of carrying out the software

With new technology comes new ways to let disabilied people use more items. An example is, voice recognition screen readers can help peole who are blind. For instance, eye-tracking programs can make using computers simple for people who can´t move their hands.

Assistive technology was defined in the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act of 1988). Assistive technology was defined as being any piece of equipment that is used to improve the life of an individual with a disability. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 provided guidelines for accessibility, usability and compatibility of telecommunications equipment. The most recent law is the Assistive Technology Act of 2004. This act focused on providing funding to individuals with disabilities (Carpenter, 2015).

In this artifact, I researched for alternative technological tool(see Assistive technology.doc) for students with disabilities to represent how technology could be a great assistance for them. This assignment represents how technology could be used by all students no matter what they need. Therefore, in this assignment, I looked for tools and ways to implement access to technology resources for students who have neuromuscular difficulties, and/or difficulties of counting with her finger to show that there are varieties of technological tool for all the needs.

Rules and Regulations for Licensing Agencies Providing Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities states, “1.6 “Assistive Technology” means specialized medical equipment and supplies to include (a) Devices, controls, or appliances, specified in the individualized service plan, that enable Participants/Clients to increase their ability to perform activities of daily living (b) Devices, controls, or appliances that enable the Participant/Client to perceive, control, or communicate with others in the environment in which they live; including such other durable and non-durable medical equipment not available under the state plan that is necessary to address Participant/Client functional limitations. Such standards shall be appropriate to the needs of such Participants/Clients and the character of the facilities involved, and shall govern such matters as admission policies, safety, sanitation, and protection of civil rights. (“Rules and Regulations for Licensing Agencies Providing Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities,”

Living and learning with assistive technologies (AT) for disabled people is allowing them to lead virtually normal lives. Assistive technology in action videos I have recently watched introduced me to 3 people who are being assisted by this cutting edge technology.

Assistive technology (AT) is defined as “any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of

54 million Americans have a disability. Said more clearly, one in five Americans have a disability. Extended globally there are more than 610 million people in the world with some sort of disability or special needs (Manning-Schaffel, 2007). Upon reviewing most available market analysis it is apparent that this group is not being directly market to on a large scale. Likewise there is both a great need and many new opportunities as technology quickly advances. From a financial perspective this group is spending $8.8 billion USD worldwide on assistive devices primarily being pushed through medical representatives. This market is projected to reach $11 billion USD by 2015 and to continue at a 5%+ growth rate thereafter ("Assistive devices

While the individuals with mild intellectual disability have limitations in many adaptive behaviors, these limitations co-exist alongside strengths in other areas within the individual. Literature has proved that assistive technology including audio-visual devices can be used to help these individuals complete some tasks independently and also help them in domains such as home living, social living, employment, health and safety, education, and second language skills (De Joode, van Heugten, Verhey, and van Boxtel, 2010).

Rehabilitation technology services are utilized to assist clients who need technology to eliminate barriers to employment. The technology is all items that maintain, improve, or enhance the functional capabilities of clients with disability. These services can include mobility aide devices, vehicle modifications, prosthetics, hearing aids, and equipment for the visually impaired. These services are based on the needs of the client and vary. According to research, rehabilitation technology is a significant service for individuals who cope with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and cancer survivors (Chiu, Chan, Bishop, Cardoso, & O’Neil, 2013; Huang, et al., 2013; Strauser et al, 2010). These individuals and other clients utilize the technology to provide the necessary accommodations that they may

The use of technology in educating children with special needs has widely grown in the past few decades. Individuals with special needs are unique and all have different areas in which they need assistance. Due to the advancements in assistive technology, computer programs, software, and other technology tools, it has become much easier for people to find useful and easier ways to become educated. Because of this, “technology has changed the way people with disabilities live, work, and learn.” (Winzer,98)

Worldwide more than 1 billion people are living with disabilities, which means that an estimated 15% of the world population have some kind of disability [1]. Overall, 80% of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) live in developing countries, where resources are scarce and services less accessible. In Indonesia, an estimated 10% to 15% of the population is living with disabilities according to the data of Riskedas 2007 (riskedas?? source. Although the data vary widely based on different data source and criteria to define disability [2]. In all the data source the prevalence was higher in rural compare to urban regions and higher in women compare to men.