Assistive technology is technology that is used by people with disabilities to help them perform tasks that might be difficult, or impossible for them. This can by any item, piece of equipment, or product system. It can be found commercially off the shelf, modified, or can be customized for the person. Different devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, computers, and other technologies are recognizable assistance to people. Those a just some general examples, however there is a huge variety of assistive technology that is available today that provides assistance to nearly any disability.
Just last month, my Uncle was mauled by a bear, he is now down in the Seattle Medical Center getting extensive reconstructive surgeries, and help from many wonderful doctors. When he got mauled, the bear ripped across his face, and while doing so, the bear ripped out my uncles tongue. Without a tongue, you can’t speak, or eat… They have tried to put some sort of extension onto his tongue hoping that he would be able to speak, but tissues keep on dying, and he has to go back into surgery. The tongue idea hasn’t been working, and as of right now, he can’t speak or eat. He still must be able to communicate however. His left eye was damaged, but his right eye has good vision. As many of us have come to know, we can type much faster than we can write, so right now a computer is a huge assistance for him. However, there is a new handy dandy thing called and IPAD! One of his nieces raised enough money to buy him an ipad because it’s easier for him to carry, he can hold it closer to his face, and it has many applications that he can download to help him with quicker communication.
On this ipad is a program called GoTalks. It is for people who can’t communicate by speaking. Other people record messages that the user will likely need, and they can overlay these with images, words or symbols. The user can “talk” simply pressing on a picture to play the message for others to hear. After these messages have been created all he will have to do is push one button for a command, or whole sentence.
This will also be easier because it’s all touch screen, and with so many applications that he will be able to download specifically for his new disability that he will have to get used to. Thanks to the assistive technology, he will be able to communicate a little bit easier, and probably a lot faster with the people around him!
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/05/31/new-assistive-technology-research-focuses-on-ipad-communication-skills/
http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?109
http://www.kidstogether.org/at.htm
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/05/31/new-assistive-technology-research-focuses-on-ipad-communication-skills/
http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?109
http://www.kidstogether.org/at.htm
Wow, what an interesting and amazing program. I am so sorry to hear about your uncle, Brianna. That is so scary! Just the other day, there was a bear on the school grounds where I am completing my practicum. As awful as things like that are, at least there are advances now that allow people to still lead normal lives and maybe even fix some of their problems eventually.
ReplyDeleteI agree! It's pretty amazing what a little tiny piece of technology can do for a person! And just to think, that's just for communication, they have things like this, plus much more for every single disability! It would be hard to get used to though after being able to do everything on your own... But thank God there are things like this to help!
ReplyDeleteI know this is a difficult thing for you to talk about but I loved how you incorporated it into our topic. It is a perfect example of how assistive technology can really help individuals out!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your uncle, I'm glad that he is starting to recover. His niece is aweful special to want to help in that way. I applaud her caring and drive. I never thought of the Ipad as an assistive tech tool. I really just thought of it as a cool toy. I'm glad that technology is able to make his life easier, and I hope that the doctors' are able to find a way to help his tongue.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's terrible. But what an interesting way to incorporate something from life into the discussion. It's amazing how much technology can help us at times we need it most. I will definitely look at my iPad differently now.
ReplyDeleteGoTalks sounds super cool! I don't have an iPad and don't know a lot about it but I think it's really cool that there are programs and apps that are actually really useful! There are some pretty ridiculous apps out there so it's nice to hear about one that is so helpful for people in such terrible situations.
ReplyDeleteBrianna, as others have noted I am very sorry about what happened to your uncle. But your story has shown us the significant benefits which come from having assistive technology available. It's great that something as versatile as the iPad can help people with amazing apps like GoTalks. Before reading this, I had considered the iPad to be just another "entertainment" gadget with it's games, music, and video capabilities. Now I recognize the difference it can make in people's lives.
ReplyDeleteWow! Brianna, this is an amazing story. I am so sorry that you have gone through such a rough year with family illness and injury. This story truly is inspiring and impressive. I am so glad that the ipad can help your uncle communicate.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! It is really tough, and in a way, it really makes me mad that he now has to use a computer, or ipad to communicate, he loves to talk. But at the same time, I am totally amazed with the programs that are out there. I never really thought of an ipad doing something like that either, I just saw it as basically another toy, I'm sure glad for apps like these than can be such a benefit in helping somebodies life be more successful.
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