AT for Home and CommunityMargaret Cisco, ATLA AT Specialist
Assistive Technology of Alaska
• CEU Announcement
• Resources
• Follow-up survey
Housekeeping
Assistive Technology of Alaska
What is Assistive Technology of Alaska?What is Assistive Technology of Alaska?
• Federal Tech Act Project for the State– Information, Demonstration, Training, Loan, and
Recycle/Re-use• Focus Areas
– Vision, Hearing, Communication, Computer Access, ECU, Learning and Cognitive
• Other Activities– AT product and device sales– In depth topic training by request– AT assessment
Assistive Technology of Alaska
1. Participants will know what AT is and why it is important to consider AT for home and community living.
2. Participants will identify three AT devices or products to consider.
3. Participants will be aware of three resources that offer information about AT for home and community living.
Objectives
Assistive Technology of Alaska
What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology of Alaska
• Because disability is a natural part of the human experience
• We all want to make our own choices– Life activities– Where we live– Who we associate with
• We all need to be able to communicate
• We want to be able to do what we once did
• Using AT is a natural part of living
Why AT in the Senior Years?Why AT in the Senior Years?Why AT for Home and Community?Why AT for Home and Community?
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Positioning and Mobility
Vision
Hearing
Maintaining Lifestyles As We AgeMaintaining Lifestyles As We AgeQuality of Life
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Communication
Memory and Organization
Household
Recreation
• What are the activities the person enjoys and could continue to enjoy with AT?
• Safety (call for assistance and maintain safety in the home)
• Comfort – the person will actually use the device
• Making every day tasks easier with AT
Considering ATConsidering ATConsidering ATConsidering AT
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Why AT for Positioning & Mobility ?
• Prevent pressure sores• Prevent contractures• Prevent respiratory issues• Prevent bone loss• Enable hand use• Increase stimulation, socialization, participation• Aging in place
Assistive Technology of Alaska
AT for Seating & Mobility
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Walkers
Specialized wheelchairs
Scooters Seat Assists
Wheelchairs
Mobility - Not Just For Big People
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Gait Trainers
Wheelchairs
Walkers
AT for Positioning and Mobility
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Bed sensor alarms
Bed Rails
Hoyer Lift
Roll guards
Bed pull ups
Bed Wedges
AT for Mobility
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Bath benchesShower seats Grab bars
Ramps Stair climbers Emergency Evacuation Assists
Mounting systems and accessories
Assistive Technology of Alaska
AT for Seating, Positioning, & Mobility
Cup holders Bags Reacher/Grabbers
Merlin - Desktop Video Magnifier
Handheld Video Magnifier
Lighted Magnifiers
Eye-Pal –Combination reader/magnifier
AT for Vision
Assistive Technology of Alaska
• Bold writing pens• Contrast and low sheen• Extra lighting / more concentrated• Self threading needles• Stand magnifiers• Talking telephones• Talking watches, clocks and thermostats
AT for Vision
Assistive Technology of Alaska
• Zoomtext – Magnifies text across all computer programs up to 36x
• WebEyes- Magnification for Internet Explorer from 4-144pt
• Mozilla Firefox Web Browser (free)
Comes with built in magnification-increase magnification with NoSquint free add on for Firefox, allows settings for background, color, remembers settings
Web Access - Vision
Assistive Technology of Alaska
AT for HearingAT for Hearing
Personal Assisted listening devices
Loop systemsFM Systems
Alert Systems
Easy Amplified Cell Phones
AT for Hearing
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Amplified Phones
• Alert systems (phones, doorbell, motion)• Amplified telephones or added amplifier• FM systems (theatre, church)• Hearing aids and loop system• Personal listening devices• Telecommunication devices (TTY, video phone,
relay, text message)• Vibrating pagers / alert systems
AT for Hearing
Assistive Technology of Alaska
AT for Memory
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Talking Photo Album
Automatic Faucet Automatic Toilet
Smart PhonesPDAs
Smart Phones + Special Software
Pill reminder /alarm
Simple Photo Phone
AT for Memory
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Voice Alert
LiveScribe Pulse Pen Simplified TV Remote
Vibrating TimersFinder Alarms
Recording to Remember
• Auto shut off devices (i.e. coffee pots, irons)• Hand held devices (all-in-one) • Medication dispensers (daily, weekly, complex)• Microwave or toaster ovens w/ auto shut off• Reminder tools or systems to help prompt
– Alarms / voice reminders – Vibrating reminders– Calling services
AT for Memory
Assistive Technology of Alaska
AT for Communication
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Low-tech boards
iTouch - Communication Applications Voice output devices
Text Communication High-Tech communicationVoice Amplifiers
AT for Communication
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Single message Two messages Sequence of messages
One or more messages Wearable
AT for Household Tasks
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Easy Key Turner Check Writing Guide
Pan Holder
Special Dishes & Utensils
Lighting Dressing Aids
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Wii games
Card shuffler Needle Threader Large Print Cards
iTouch Kindle or Nook
AT for Recreation
• Adapted exercise bikes• Gardening tools• Hand held electronic card games• Large print books, crossword puzzles,
embroidery patterns• Stand magnifiers and extra light• Computers for browsing, social networking,
shopping, etc.
AT for Recreation
Assistive Technology of Alaska
ATLAwww.atlaak.org
• Computer access (Input)– Speech recognition– Alternative mouse options– Alternative keyboard options– Switch interface options
• Computer output– Speech– Visual
AT Tools for Computer Access
Recreation AT For Kids Too!
I Touch game apps
Reading Switch Activated Toys
Assistive Technology of Alaska
+ +
Recreation AT For Kids Too!
ATLAwww.atlaak.org
+ +
Recreation AT For Kids Too!
Choosing AT
First THE INDIVIDUAL• Needs• Abilities• Expectations• Tasks• Barriers• Environments
Then the TECHNOLOGY
Choosing AT
Step 1 Gather InformationStep 1 Gather Information
• Strengths• Limitations• Preferences • What has already been tried? • What has worked?• What has not worked?• Diagnosis (medical, psychological, speech)
Step 1 – Gathering Information
Assistive Technology of Alaska
High TechLow Tech
1. Generate Continuum of Potential AT Solutions
2. Person or support team makes an informed decision and selection
Step 2 – Identify AT Possibilities
Assistive Technology of Alaska
1. Teach the AT tools • To the person using it• To caregivers/parents who will need to support it
2. Continuously evaluate• Ability to use and support the AT• Effectiveness and appropriateness of the AT
3. If the AT is not effective, select another option from the low-to-high list and continue this process
Step 3 – Implement and Evaluate AT
Assistive Technology of Alaska
• Person uses AT to accomplish the goal • Completes tasks more independently • Completes task more efficiently • Completes with increased safety• Completes with increased safety
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Outcome Measures for AT
AT Resources - DemonstrationsAT Resources - DemonstrationsDemonstration Centers
• ATLAAlaska Center for Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI)
• Independent Living Centers• Special Education Service Agency (SESA)• Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation• Other
Assistive Technology of Alaska
AT Resources - www.aktradingpost.orgAT Resources - www.aktradingpost.org
Assistive Technology of Alaska
AT Resources - ReutilizationAT Resources - ReutilizationRecycling / Reuse (All Ages)
• ACBVI• AK Trading Post (www.aktradingpost.org)• ATLA• Craig’s List and eBay• Independent Living Centers Loan Closets• Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
Assistive Technology of Alaska
Just a few of the resources from this presentation
• AbleNet• Alzheimers Store• Enabling Devices• Fischer Price• Harris Communications• Independent Living Aids• Life Solutions Plus
AT Resources - Internet
Assistive Technology of Alaska