Having a disability certainly
implies that there is some functional limitation that has
been caused by an illness, accident or medical condition. In
some situations, the limitation is accommodated, for example person
with hearing loss may use a hearing aid to restore his/her
hearing; short sightedness can be corrected by wearing
glasses or contact lenses. Day-to-day activities may be more
difficult for a disabled person because of pain, difficulty
in moving or communicating, or because of a learning
disability, but an accepting and accommodating society would
significantly reduce the effects of disability.
If the social and
environmental barriers were eliminated, disabled people
would have a more realistic opportunity of living equally
alongside non-disabled people.
It is possible that you already
know a lot about the Adaptive Technologies are. I purposed
myself to collect here the shorter and clearer information about
this topical but I don't pretend they are the shortest or the
clearest information. Each person will see how much these
information will help himself or herself...
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. High-tech
assistive, adaptive and accessibility aids for children and
adults with disabilities and special needs.
Assistive
Technology Products
can enable people with disabilities to
accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication,
education, work or recreation activities, in fact, helping them
achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life.
Assistive Technology devices
can help improve physical or mental
functioning, overcome a disorder or impairment, helping prevent the
worsening of a condition, strengthen a physical or mental
weakness, help improve a person's capacity to learn, or replace a missing limb.
Assistive Technology Services
support people with
disabilities or their personal aide care to help them select, acquire,
or use adaptive devices. Such services include functional
evaluations, training on devices, product demonstration, and
equipment purchasing or leasing.
You can read down to see which kind of devices you need and you
can look for them in the page with links to the companies which
make or sell these adaptive technologies. First of all, when you
want purchasing some adaptive technologies ask your doctor which
devices are the best for you.
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. Common sub-categories are:
Speech and Augmentative Communication Aids - involves alternate methods of
communicating needs, feelings, ideas, and
perceptions through the use of electronic
and non-electronic devices that provide a
means for expressive and receptive
communication for persons with limited or no
speech. Includes communication boards,
speech synthesizers, text-to-speech software
and hardware, head wands, light pointers,
mouth sticks, signal systems, telephony
equipment, etc.
-
Writing and Typing Aids -
Includes tactile devices, Braille devices,
note taking devices, spelling devices, word
prediction/completion software, modified
typewriters, portable typewriters, etc. Does
not generally include products intended to
facilitate computer access and usage (see
Computer Access Aids).
Computer
Access Aids
Hardware and software products that enables
persons with disabilities to access, interact
with, and use computers at home, work or school.
Includes modified or alternate keyboards,
switches activated by pressure, touch screens,
special software, voice to text software, etc. Common sub-categories are:
-
Alternative Input Devices -
Includes alternative and adaptive keyboards,
expanded keyboards, Key guards, alternative
and ergonomic mouse/pointing systems,
head-operated pointing devices, eye glaze
pointing devices, mouth/tongue pointing
devices, Morse code input devices,
brain-actuated pointing devices, switches,
touch screens, voice input systems,
speech-to-text software, voice
recognition/voice command software,
dictation software, on-screen keyboards,
cursor enlargement software, ergonomic
computer-based equipment, etc.
-
Alternative Output Devices
- Computer-based output devices that generally
enable Blind and Vision impaired persons to
use or interact with a computer. Includes Braille display/output devices,
Braille embosser/printers, screen reading
software, screen magnification/enlargement
software, large print monitor, etc.
-
Accessible Software
- Includes software applications adapted for
children and adults with disabilities,
operating system accessibility options,
accessible web browsers, etc.
-
Universal Design - Design methods, techniques and guidelines
for making computers and their applications
fully accessible to people with
disabilities.
Daily
Living Aids
Self-help devices that assist persons with
disabilities in daily living activities such as
dressing, personal hygiene, bathing, home
maintenance, cooking, eating, etc. Includes
reachers, adaptive clothing, modified eating
utensils, adapted books, pencil holders,
dressing aids, adapted personal hygiene aids,
bathing accessories, feeding accessories,
feeding devices, grab bars/grips/handles,
grooming, hygiene, incontinent supplies,
mechanical transfer lift, shower/bath chair,
toileting accessories, transfer board, wheeled
bath chair/commode, time management aids,
specialized spoons for self-feeding, bathtub
seats, etc. Does not generally include
architectural/home adaptations or modifications
(see Environmental Aids). Common sub-categories
are:
Education
and Learning Aids
-
Cognitive Aids - Includes cognitive software focusing on
categorization, matching, association,
reasoning, decision making, problem solving,
memory skills, perceptual skills, talking
word processing, word prediction/completion
software, cognitive retraining or
rehabilitation tools, etc.
-
Early Intervention Aids
Environmental
Aids
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.
Common sub-categories are:
-
Environmental Controls & Switches - Primarily electronic systems that enable
someone with limited mobility to control
various appliances, lights, telephone and
security systems in their room, home or
other surroundings. Includes Environmental
Control Units (ECU), electronic appliance
switches, switch mounting systems, home
automation systems, signaling and alerting
devices, home alarms, television
adaptations, smoke alarm and telephone
ringers, etc.
-
Home-Workplace Adaptations - Includes worksite/school/home design or
modification for accessibility,
architectural accommodations, structural
adaptations, building/home ramps, home
elevators, wheelchair lifts, pool lifts,
bathroom changes, automatic door openers,
expanded doorways, adapted furniture,
adapted doorknobs, alternative doorbells,
lowered counters, specially designed bath
areas, etc.
Ergonomic
Equipment
Low-tech assistive equipment or devices designed
to reduce the likelihood of repetitive stress
injuries often associated with work related
situations. Includes adjustable workstations,
industrial workstations, office workstations,
adapted furniture, writing aids, modified
seating and lighting, arm/wrist supports, back
supports, etc. Does not generally include
products intended to facilitate computer access
and usage (see Computer Access Aids).
Hearing
and Listening Aids
Products designed to assist the Deaf and Hearing
Impaired. Includes assistive listening devices,
hearing aids, infrared/personal amplification
systems, audio/FM loop systems, FM amplification
systems, TV amplifiers, TV decoders, visual
signaling and alerting systems, tactile alerting
systems, telephony and accessories, text
telephones, TDDs/TTYs devices, adapted phones,
etc. Does not generally include products
intended to facilitate computer access and usage
(see Computer Access Aids).
Mobility
and Transportation Aids
Products that help mobility impaired persons
move within their environment and give them
independence in personal transportation.
Includes standing/walking aids, transfer aids,
stair lifts, walkers, scooters, wheelchairs and
three-wheeled chairs, adapted bikes and Trikes,
car seats/bed, stretchers, patient chairs,
ramps, recliners, strollers, travel chairs,
wheelchair trays, driving controls, seat belts,
vehicle conversions, patient and wheelchair
lifts, wheelchair loaders/carriers, wheelchair
restraint systems, etc. Common sub-categories
are:
-
Ambulatory Aids - Includes canes, cane accessories, crutches,
walkers, walker accessories, etc.
-
Scooters and Power Chairs
-
Wheelchairs
-
Vehicle Conversions - Includes car-top carriers, custom cars and
vans, adaptive driving control,
hand-controls, child restraint systems,
ramps, lifts, etc.
Prosthetics
and Orthotics
Replacement, substitution or augmentation of
missing or malfunctioning body parts with
artificial limbs or other orthotic aids.
Includes splints, braces, foot orthosis,
helmets, restraints, supports, etc.
Recreation
and Leisure Aids
Products that help persons with disabilities to
participate in sports, social, cultural events.
Includes modified sports equipment for
skiing/biking/running/boating, audio description
for movies, adaptive controls for video games,
adaptive fishing rods, cuffs for grasping
paddles or racquets, seating systems for boats,
etc. Common sub-categories are:
-
Sports Aids
-
Toys and Games
-
Travel Aids
Seating
and Positioning Aids
Products that provide mobility impaired persons
with greater body stability, maintain upright
posture, provide trunk/head support and
reduction of pressure to the skin. Includes
adapted and modular seating, cushions and
wedges, contour seats, lumbar support seats,
standing tables, positioning belts, braces,
wheelchair modifications and cushions, seat
lifts, bolster chairs, corner chairs,
therapeutic seats, postural support hardware,
postural support systems, pressure monitors,
etc.
Vision
and Reading Aids
Products designed to assist the Blind and Visually
impaired. Includes auditory and speech output
devices, reading machines, scanning/document reading
systems, OCR systems, electronic book readers,
talking equipment (clocks/watches, calculators,
etc.), Braille devices, Braille transcription and
translation devices, screen magnifier/enlarger,
closed circuit television for magnifying
documents, book holders, manual and electric
page turners, large button phones, speaker
phones, large print books, taped/audio books,
etc. Does not generally include products
intended to facilitate computer access and usage
(see Computer Access Aids).
Services
Support services for people with disabilities or
their caregivers to help them select, acquire,
or use adaptive devices. Services also include
functional evaluations, training on or
demonstration of devices, and purchasing or
leasing devices. |