Assistive Technology blog

Assistive or Adaptive Technology commonly refers to "...products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities..."( Rehab tool, 2012). To me, assistive technology are products which help enable people with disabilities to accomplish communication,  education, daily living tasks. Assistive technology can enhance independence and enhance their quality of life. They can help improve anything form physical or mental functioning to help improve a persons capacity to learn. (Rehab tool, 2012).

One piece of assistive technology introduced to me in a tutorial was A “Talking photo album”.  This photo album was primarily used in a school for youth with physical and mental disabilities. The size of the photo album was A5, but opens up to about A4 size. It costs around $50.00 from Jaycar but can be ordered offline from overseas for over $100.00. The function of the photo album was to document and communication between school and home. The service user would speak into a small voice recorder on each page of the album and would have a photo as visual evidence of what they did that day. They would then take it home and give it to their parents as a way of keeping a diary of significant things they did that day, and that week. The photo album had up to 100 minutes of recording had 20 double sided pages with built in speakers, and a removable SD card which transfers recordings to a PC.  

The videos I have posted describe ways people can use a video diary and how it can benefit the user. This equipment relates to occupational justice. Occupational Justice is a “term credited to Wilcock referring to that aspect of social justice that pertains to human occupation or the lack of opportunity thereof.”(Pearson Eduction, 2006.)  This photo diary is occupational justice in that it is allowing opportunities for the user to have social interaction with others, and document activities meaningful to them.

References

Pearson Education, (2006). Occupational Justice Retrieved from www. [11]wps.prenhall.com/chet_christiansen_introoccup_1/7/2018/5167

Rehab tool. (2012). What is assistive technology. Retrieved from http://www.rehabtool.com/forum/discussions/1.html

YouTube. (2012). Talking photo album. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWWHpINM-AI

Youtube. (2012). Talking Albums for Education by Talking Products . Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9iyPFY7DIc&feature=relmfu