Tutorial Eight - Assistive Technology

Tutorial Eight – Assistive technology

Assistive technology has been around or many years. Assistive technology can be defined as "the applications of science, engineering, and other disciplines that result in processes, methods, or inventions that support people with disabilities" (Bryant & Bryant, 2003, p.2).   I perceive assistive technology as a form of technology that aids an individual to achieve a particular task.  These tasks can range from eating to communicating.  There are many form of assistive technology however assistive technology is generally divided into two groups.  These groups are high tech assistive technology or low-tech assistive technology.  High tech technology is generally seen as those ‘fancy’ gadgets for example a gadget that assists in speech and communication.  Low-tech technology is generally seen as being technology that assists individuals every day with little tasks such as a adapted spoon to help with the task of eating.

As there are many forms of assistive technology there is one in particular that I have become rather interested in.  This would be the powered wheel chair.  In my eyes this is the top shelf technology for all assistive technology.  It was during our recent assistive technology lecture with Dave Speden from Kimi Ora School in Wellington that I was made aware of the technology and electronics behind one of these amazing high-powered machines.  Kimi Ora school is a school for children who have high needs to Dave deals with a lot of assistive technology.  Through this lecture I gained insight of how important a powered wheel chair is for a child in fact any individual.  This piece of assistive equipment can give individuals limited amounts of freedom and independence, through the use of powered wheel chair individuals can achieve the quality of life that any ‘normal’ person achieves.

Right so power wheel chairs there are so many different place to start.  Basically there are some many types of powered wheel chairs.  Now days they can be designed for a individual so the power chair suites their specific needs.  Power chairs vary I sixe, controls, drive types, seating and any general features.  When looking into a powered chair people must look into it very heavily, they need to see if a powered chair is actually going to give a individual their full independence.

There are three main types of chairs available; these are rear wheel drive, mid wheel drive and front wheel drive.  Rear wheel drive simply means that the drive wheel are located at the back of the chair.  Having rear wheel drive means that you generally need a larger turning circle.  Mid and from wheel drive means that the drive wheels are located closer to the front of the chair, which therefore means that the chair is very maneuverable.

The bellow you tube clip is on the general types of powered chairs that are on today’s market.  Form this clip you can see that there are a lot of chair to choose from that is why it is always important to see what chair suites you the best.

The next clip shows the way in which a powered chair can create independence for individuals.  Imagine if this young girl did not have a powered chair she would not be able to have independence and would not be able to play and do things that she enjoys.

Reference:

Bryant, D.P., & Bryant, B.R. (2003). Assistive technology for people with disabilities. Boston MA: Pearson