Assistive technologies, also known as adaptive technology includes devices or equipment to maintain, increase or improve skills of persons with disabilities. It is important to realize that assistive technology is not just computer programs or electronic devices. Since many people think of when thinking about computer technology, this is a common mistake. Assistive technologies need not be high-tech, but should serve the purpose of “service” and can include anything from a stick you use to reach something of a Walker or a wheelchair or more complex elements such as environmental audits or adapted vehicles.
This means that assistive technology existed the first homo sapiens picked up a branch to help himself on uneven terrain. Sophisticated forms of assistive technology date back for centuries as well as the 6th century saw a picture of a wheelchair is carved in stone on a sarcophagus. Today, assistive technologies are available to support many common disabilities. For example, assistive technology can:
or provide help with communication, such as speech, writing and typing aids
or help people with access to a computer with the standard mouse and keyboard. They include software programs such as a screen reader or screen keyboard and hardware, such as a mouse operation.
or provide exercises that stimulate the train and evaluate the cognitive functioning.
or assist with daily life as cooking, dressing room, bathroom, bathing, eating
or provide assistance with Visual or auditory limitation how blink light system for the doorbell, hearing aids, closed caption decoders for TV.
or provide assistance with mobility, such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes.
or help with disabled or missing limbs as artificial limbs, braces, supports
or Enable disabled individuals to take part in sports or recreational activities.
or support the muscular-skeletal systems and maintain positions needed to perform the desired task, such as moulded seats, lumbar support and changes to wheelchairs would fall into this category.
telephones or improve access to materials such as Braille devices and translators and large print button.
If you are a person with a disability or know a disabled person, maybe you have some thoughts on assistive technology. Perhaps you know of a cool product disability or do you have any idea on what would like to see.
A new website has been created to http://www.NewDisability.com that is meant to be a platform for communication between the disabled community and the assistive technology industry. There is a forum where you can express your feedback on all types of innovative assistive technologies. What are your experiences? What products to use disability that you like? Such as disability or disability aids equipment you’d like to see on the market? Don’t limit yourself to what you already know. Tell us what you’d like to see.