Technology | Assisted Disability

Advancements in High-Tech Assistive Technology Devices

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All it takes is a cursory glance at the world around us to realize that technology is advancing at an alarming rate. Remember when the debut of Apple’s iPhone dominated the news? Only a few short years later, we find ourselves already looking at four generations of iPhones and counting, with each generation bringing advancements and new features previously considered unobtainable.

Assistive technology is no different. It has been around a long time – think automatic garage door openers and the bell that dings when an elevator arrives – but in recent years the advancements and availability of programs and devices have been astronomical. Computers can now be activated by voice, and users with limited vision can listen as their computer communicates with them; touchscreen technology is ideal for users with limited dexterity.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Consider some of these high-tech advancements in assistive technology devices:

Artificial Limbs
Prosthetic limbs have come a long way and continue to evolve. Scientists continue to explore the possibility of recreating the brain impulses used to move natural limbs so that artificial limbs can also be moved neurally.

Health Monitors
These wireless devices not only monitor vital signs and areas of concern, but they can also communicate any issues directly to your physician.

Computerized Pill Dispensers
Gone are the days of having to rely on memory or a manual system for taking medication. Pill dispensers are now available with various technological reminders, including sound and vibrating alarms.

As assistive technology continues to advance, the potential for members of the aging and disabled population to live active lives continues to expand.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Assistive technology, IPhone, Technology

The Advancements In Computer Technology

Computers have come a long way from the entire room full of tubes with flowing information. A complete computer can be held in your hands in a laptop, fully functional and capable of all that a room full of tubes was. After the large computers of the early years, there were large CPU units, with bulky monitors that took up entire desks, so that you had to have a separate table just to hold your computer, and you thought this was the greatest invention ever, and it quite possibly is. Computers in their earliest version were used for not much more than data entry, a sort of files on film. Businesses loaded all of their receipts and paperwork into the computer in order to store the data and save space.

In the 80s and early 90s computers came into full being. This is where most people learned the vast ways in which a computer can be used, from researching literally anything to communicating with people all over the world. New sites and applications were born daily, and the computer was changing from day to day. Each year a newer, smaller, faster version was unveiled, usually more than one brand from rival companies. Stock markets were going crazy with what these machines were producing. People could not get enough of them and by the end of the 90s you would be hard pressed to find a household without at least one computer.

Today, the computer is such a part of school that children as young as grade school are being taught how to navigate the Internet. By the time our kids are in high school, they are being given laptops as part of their initial book purchase. Many teachers are giving lessons on the computer, and your grades can be accessed at a glance. With how far the computer has come in just the last few decades, it is thrilling to think what it is capable of in the future.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Laptop, Personal computer, Technology

Assisted Technology for Disabilities

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Assisted technology is something that sort of evens out the playing field for people with disabilities. There are many aids which fall into the category of assisted technology. These can be as simple as a walking cane or as complex as a bionic arm or leg. A person’s handicap may make him immobile and the wheelchair, either manual or motorized, is what assists him with walking. People sometimes need assisted technology to do their jobs. One such instance of this would be providing a magnified screen for a copywriter that is sight-impaired.

Another assisted technology for supporting people with disabilities is the telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD). Until the invention of this technology is was not possible for deaf persons to use the telephone to communicate the way that it was originally intended to be used. A deaf person can type what he wants to say. It is then relayed to an operator who reads it to the person on the receiving end. Hearing aids are considered assisted technology, too.

Assisted technology comes into play in the education arena to help those with learning disabilities. Software that generates graphic organizers assist those students that are visual learners and who benefit from that particular learning style. One may be able to get assisted technology by using a file sharing program like FileZilla. Some file transfer software is free, like File Zilla, and allows you to download and transfer information like graphic organizers for educational or personal purposes. The assisted technology that is used in the classroom can either be low tech or high tech. Low tech basically encompasses anything that doesn’t require a battery or electricity, like a dry erase board. High tech uses items like computers, video camcorders and anything that would typically require more training and support to use.

Durable medical equipment also falls under the assisted technology category. This includes things that help people to walk, like crutches and walkers. Items that help to increase a person’s independence with daily activities, such as showering and bathing can also be considered as assisted technology. This would include a shower seat and rails in the bathtub.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Assistive technology, Disabilities, Disability, Disabled, Health, Hearing impairment, Shopping, Technology

Assistive Technology for Disabilities

: Image via Wikipedia

Assistive technology is something that sort of evens out the playing field for people with disabilities. There are many aids which fall into the category of assistive technology. These can be something as simple as a walking cane or as complex as a bionic arm or leg. A person’s handicap may make him immobile and the wheelchair, either manual or motorized, is what assists him with walking. People sometimes need assistive technology to do their jobs. One such instance of this would be providing a magnified screen for a copywriter that is sight-impaired.

Another assistive technology for supporting people with disabilities is the telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD). Until the invention of this technology is was not possible for deaf persons to use the telephone to communicate the way that it was originally intended to be used. A deaf person can type what he wants to say. It is then relayed to an operator who reads it to the person on the receiving end. Hearing aids are considered assistive technology, too.

Assistive technology comes into play in the education arena to help those with learning disabilities. Software that generates graphic organizers assist those students that are visual learners and who benefit from that particular learning style. The assistive technology that is used in the classroom can either be low tech or high tech. Low tech basically encompasses anything that doesn’t require a battery or electricity, like a dry erase board. High tech uses items like computers, video camcorders and anything that would typically require more training and support to use.

Durable medical equipment also falls under the assistive technology category. This includes things that help people to walk, like crutches and walkers. Items that help to increase a person’s independence with daily activities, such as showering and bathing can also be considered as assistive technology. This would include a shower seat and rails in the bathtub.

Filed Under: Disabilities, Technology Tagged With: Assistive technology, Disabilities, Disability, Disabled, Health, Hearing impairment, Shopping, Technology

Assistive Technology in India

Disabled people tend to shut themselves out from the outside world. Plagued with inadequacies of living a life without dependences their propensity to rely on others for everything leads them into depression. This is where assistive technology for the disabled comes into the picture. There are a lot of companies that have new products that enhance how the disabled walk, talk, hear, speak and live. There’s definitely hope for the disabled with new technological advancements. It is just a matter of time before technology negates the effects of disabilities.

A technology company based in Bangalore called MindTree has is bringing assistive technology products for the disabled. The important thing is the pricing. MindTree is focusing on affordability of the products considering that third-world countries might not take to highly priced assistive technological products for the disabled.

MindTree calls this the affordable assistive technology solution. Taking into account the assistive needs of people with varied disabilities, the assistive technology will cover disabilities like cerebral palsy, and musculo-skeletal conditions. A total of twenty one assistive technologies are being worked out, out of which a dozen or more of them have passed the initial evaluations.

The technology will be priced from anywhere between twenty three dollar and two hundred and fifty dollars. Now the company is focusing on third-world countries. Since this company is in India, the Indian market is the one it is planning to target. India is a developing nation, with a lot of market potential in assistive technology products. Considering the fact that a price-sensitive country like India will repel expensive products, the company is now going the affordable pricing way. It is seeking to run-up a lot of revenue, which will eventually result in profits. Given that India is more than a billion people strong, the projected revenue can be staggering.

In the western world, assistive technology is a half-a-century concept. But in India, things like these are being brought to the front only now.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Assistive technology, Bangalore, Disability, Disabled, India, MindTree, Technology, United States

Assistive technology available to disabled persons

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Assistive technology includes a wide range of products that aid a disabled person. Also known as adaptive technology, the phrase includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative equipment and devices. The phrase assistive technology also broadly encompasses the process to selecting those devices.
Assistive technology allows a disabled person to perform tasks that they previously could not, or helps them complete the task easier and quicker.
Many technological advancements can’t be used by some people. Assistive technology devices help people with a range of disabilities handle a variety of issues.
For example, a blind person can’t use a typical computer and word processing software. An assistive technology product allows a seeing impaired person to use word processing software by using voice commands.
The invention of the telephone changed the way people communicate, but the traditional telephone as is leaves out hearing impaired persons unless assistive technology is used to allow deaf people to read what the person on the other end is saying using a device.
Persons suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or someone just dealing with sore wrists benefit from using a keyboard designed ergonomically that lessens the strain placed on wrists while typing.
Persons with learning difficulties also can benefit from assistive technology. Diagnostic software diagnosis some learning disabilities.
Some disabilities are temporary and assistive devices are needed only for a short time period. A broken leg might require the use of crutches or even a wheelchair to get around.
At the same time, others might use those devices permanently, a person without use of their legs might have a wheelchair designed to make them mobile.
Assistive technology used by a family member often requires the rest of the family to adapt and learn to how the device works so they can help the disabled person.
A wide variety of assistive technology exists today allowing many people to function in society better and faster.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: Assistive technology, Disabilities, Disability, Disabled, Hearing impairment, Learning disability, Resource Directories, Technology

Let The Disabled Person Choose Assistive Technologies For Best Results

What factors should you consider when getting Assistive technology for a person who has led a life of good health before becoming disabled? Adopting the same approach used for a person who has been disabled from birth is not going to work. For starters, a person who has lived a healthy life will be used to being independent.

On the other hand, a person who has always remained disabled will be resigned to the fact that he or she will always need care. In such a scenario, even the smallest level of independence will please the latter. However, a person who has enjoyed good health in the past will not be satisfied very easily.

The first complication arises when family members decide to go in for Assistive technology without consulting the disabled individual. This is obviously going to create problems. If you want the individual to enjoy more independence, the first step is to create a change in your attitude and approach.

The person should be given the freedom to make the choices. Of course, those things that the person cannot handle on his or her own will be the responsibility of family members. The disabled individual will use Assistive technologies. Hence, this choice should rest with the disabled.

In the past, people had no option but to proceed on their own because getting the disabled individual to check out different technologies and equipment was very difficult. However, the web has simplified matters today. All one has to do is log on to the internet and one can check out a large number of technologies and equipments without even stepping out of the house.

This will herald the beginning of the rebirth of the individual. As he or she becomes more independent, the negative impact of the disability will automatically come down. It is just a question of time before technology replaces the lost faculties of the disabled individuals.

Filed Under: Disabilities, Technology Tagged With: Assistive technology, Disability, Disabled, Health, Individual, Resource Directories, Technology, United States

Helping People With Disabilities & How Can You Do Your Bit?

How can you do your bit to support people with disabilities? We all know that technology has the potential of revolutionizing persons with disabilities. Earlier, a bedridden person was no more than a vegetable. His or her entire life would be spent being cared for by family members.

However, it is possible to make use of technologies to regain control and independence. One can control the bed, television, computer and other facilities by simply breathing into or out of a tube. These technologies have helped individuals enjoy life better. Of course, such persons will still remain bedridden. However, they need not be constantly dependent on others for basic activities.

The biggest disadvantage with these technologies is the expenses involved. Secondly, most individuals are forced to opt for universal design. The end result of this approach is that there is no scope for customization. Going in for customized technology from the scratch is going to cost a lot of money. Well, you can do your bit by using the equipment in your hand in a better manner.

Rather than throwing your keyboard, you can spread word that you are ready to offer the keyboard as an experimental device for any person who wishes to try and modify it for disabled persons. If an existing keyboard can be improved and if size of the keys can be enhanced, it might help a person with visual disability to see the keyboard better at lower cost.

Having a reasonable quality keyboard to begin with and getting it at low cost will help the service provider offer cheap services. Whether this approach will work or not is uncertain.

However, what matters is the desire to make a difference. Most persons have good intentions but never proceed to translate it into real work. You can make a difference by starting to act on your intentions today.

Filed Under: Disabilities Tagged With: Assistive technology, Disabilities, Disability, Disabled, Employment, Illinois, Keyboard instrument, Technology