Introduction to Assistive Technology

1. Introduction to Assistive Technology For Adult Service Professionals 892.562 Young Jeon

2. Assistive Technology Overview What is Assistive Technology? ▶ Any device or process that assist a person with disabilities to do something that could otherwise be difficult or impossible to accomplish United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

3. Assistive Technology Overview–Definition ▶ 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 individuals with disabilities (from IDEA ’97) ▶ A definition of AT may be a system of no, low and/or high-tech tools and strategies that are suited to a person based on their individuals needs United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

4. Assistive Technology Overview –Universal Design Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design – Ron Mace Universal Design benefits of all ages and abilities. United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

5. Assistive Technology Overview –Universal Design Example Curb Cut : Originally designed for wheelchair but also ease travel for people pushing strollers, riding skateboards, using canes. United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

6. Assistive Technology Overview – AT vs. UD Assistive Technology Universal Design Used by a wide range of individuals with diverse needs Makes the environments accessible to individuals with varying needs Specifically considered for an individual Used by an individual to improve

7. Assistive Technology Overview –Continuum • High-Tech • Sophisticated electronics or computers • DynaMyte, Mercury • Mid-Tech • Relatively complicated mechanical devices • Wheelchairs • Low-Tech • Less sophisticated devices • Velcro fasteners • Sippy cups • No-Tech • Solutions that make use of procedures and services already in the environment without using devices or equipment United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

8. Assistive Technology Overview –Categories • Adaptive Computer Applications • Aids for Communication • Aids for Daily Living • Environmental Control Systems • Home / Worksite Modifications • Prosthetics and Orthotics • Seating and Positioning • Wheelchair / Mobility Aids • Vehicle Modifications United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

9. AT Delivery System in DC MRDDA Policy • Applicability • Provider Organizations that receive DC or Federal funds to serve MRDDA customers and who are responsible for the acquisition, repair or replacement of adaptive equipment • Acquisition Process • Determination of Need by clinicians’ assessment • Caregiver apply for the approval and fund within 30 days of assessment • MRDDA determines of approval United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

10. AT Delivery System in DC MRDDA Policy • Timeliness • Acquisition shall occur within 60 days of the date of determinations • If not, caregiver must provide written notice the clinical Services Division WEEKLY. • Methods of Payment • Medicaid/Medicare • Private Health Insurance • Personal Funds • Government Contract/Purchase order United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

11. Barriers and Challenges • Awareness and Knowledge • Fear of Complexity • Funding Limitations • Training • Timeliness of AT delivery System • Equipment Maintenance • Technology Abandonment United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

12. Benefits of Assistive Technology • Communication • Environmental control • Mobility • Education • Activities of Daily Living • Employment • Sports and Recreation United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

13. Assistive Technology Consideration • What functional limitation does the individual with disabilities have that might be helped by assistive technology? • Have professionals conducted a comprehensive assessment to determine what assistive technology might be beneficial? • Will the technology be available for the person to use at all times in all environments where needed, and if not, what alternatives exist in other environments? • Will the assistive technology be a tool and not inhibit typical development and skill acquisition? • Does the professional support system exist for the successful application and use of the identified technology? United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

14. The End United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

15. Adaptive Computer Applications Hardware and software products that enables persons with Disabilities to access, interact with, and use computers at home, work or school. • Input output devices • Alternate access aids • Modified or alternate Keyboard • Switch Interface • Adaptive Software United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

16. Communication Aids • Products and equipment designed to help persons with speech • disabilities or writing difficulties to communicate. At its very • simplest, augmentative communication can be a page with • picture choices or alphabet letters that a person points to. It • can also involve highly sophisticated speaking computers with • on-screen communication boards and auditory or visual scanning. • Hearing aids, • Augmentative Alternative Communication Devices • Voice Output Devices • TTDs United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

17. Aids for Daily Living • Self-help devices that assist persons with disabilities in daily • living activities such as dressing, personal hygiene, bathing, • home maintenance, cooking, eating, etc. • Clothing and Dressing Aids • Eating and Cooking Aids • Home Maintenance Aids • Toileting and Bathing Aids United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

18. Environmental Control System • Environmental and structural adaptations that remove or reduce • physical barriers for individuals with disabilities. Environmental • adaptations usually involve building construction, engineering • and architecture, but also include environmental controls and • switches that can control an entire living environment. • Environmental control switches • Worksite adaptations United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

19. Home/Worksite Modifications • Structural adaptations or fabrications in the home, worksite or other area • Ramp • Lifts • Bathroom changes • Visual alerting system United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

20. Prosthetics and Orthotics • Replacement, substitution or augmenting of missing or • malfunctioning body parts with artificial limbs or other orthotic aids • Splints • Braces • Foot orthosis • Helmets • Restraints • Supports United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

21. Seating and Positioning • Accommodations to a wheelchair or other seating system to • provide greater body stability, trunk/head support and an upright • posture, and reduction of pressure on the skin surface • Seating : adapted and modular seating, cushions and wedges • contour seats, lumbar support seats, standing tables • Positioning : positioning belts, braces, wheelchair modifications and cushions, seat lifts, bolster chairs, corner chairs, therapeutic seats, postural support hardware, postural support systems, pressure monitors, etc. United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

22. Wheelchair / Mobility Aids • Products that help mobility impaired persons move within • their environment and give them independence in • personal transportation • Manual and electric wheelchairs, mobile bases for • custom chairs, walkers, three-wheel scooters, and other • utility vehicles. • Ambulatory Aids • Scooters and Power Chairs • Wheelchairs United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

23. Vehicle Modifications Adaptive driving aids, hand controls, wheelchair and other lifts, modified vans, or other motor vehicles Includes car-top carriers, custom cars and vans, adaptive driving control, ramp, lift, hand-controls, child restraint systems United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

24. Input Output Devices • Touch windows • Braille Printer • Alternate Mouse United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

25. Alternate Access Aids • Head Stick, Mouth Stick • Light Pointer • Mouse Emulator • Voice Input • Eye Gaze Controlling cursor with eye movements United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

26. Modified or Alternate Keyboard • Intelli-Key • Big Keyboard • One-hand keyboard United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

27. Switch Interface United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

28. Adaptive Software • Biggy Cursor • Onscreen Keyboard • Zoom Text • Microsoft Accessibility United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

29. Voice Output Devices • Mercury, Gemini, • Dynamite • Cheap Talk • Digi-Vox • Communication Builder United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

30. Clothing and Dressing Aids • Button Aid • Sock Helper • Shoe horn • Dressing Stick United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

31. Eating and Cooking Aids • Easy grip Utensil • Food Bumper • Scooper Plate • Utensil Curf United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

32. Home Maintenance Aids Adaptive Gardening Tools United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

33. Toileting and Bathing Aids • Lift Aids • Shower chair • Elevated seat • Urinals United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

34. Environmental Control Switches • Remote Control • Free Hand Switch • Wireless Transmitter • Motion Pad • Voice Activated Switch United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

35. Seating and Positioning United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.

36. Ambulatory Aids United Cerebral Palsy of Washington & Northern Virginia, Inc.