Tutorial 8: Assistive Technology

According to the Assistive Technology Act  of 1998, assistive technology is the use of any mechanical item, equipment or product that can be  modified, customised or purchased commercially or privately to improve and increase a disabled individual’s functional abilities (Sabata, Shamberg & Williams, 2008).

I interpret this term to mean anything that can be used by an individual which will increase their ability to participate in occupation as well as their levels of independence in society. Communication devices, wheelchairs, housing modifications and modified knives and forks are all considered different types of assistive technology as they are used in a way that allows their user to communicate, be mobile, shower without physical assistance and to be able to feed themselves independently.  This definition covers a lot more than the types I have mentioned above and can come in many ways shapes and forms.

After doing some research I came across this really great guide for parents whose children may require some form of assistive technology (mainly related to learning and communication).

One piece of assistive technology that I am going to discuss the use of a:

Dynavox Xpress Communicating Device

If you clink on the link (above) this will bring you to the Dynavox website where there is a variety of communication devices linked to a number of conditions such as:

• Stroke/Aphasia
• Autism
• Down Syndrome
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Motor Neurone Disease / Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Apraxia of Speech

The Dynavox Xpress can be used by individuals who have trouble expressing themselves verbally.
Features include:
10.2 X 15.2cm
Weighs between 0.65 and 0.95kg depending on the type of battery
Display screen is 12.7cm across and is touchscreen
Up to 8GB of storage
1 year warranty and can be customised with different DynaSkins
The Dynavox also has a selection of different voices that can be selected for male/female and child/adult ages as well as Loquendo voice application for expressing emotion
Photos, videos and music can also be stored and played at any time
Battery life lasts up to 8 hours with an extended battery
The Dynavox is US$7500 - which is about $9000NZD (Dynavox products range from US$3000 to US$8000)

This particular piece of equipment increases occupational engagement of the user through the communication that it allows and produces. Through the use of this device this individual will be more comfortable about interacting with others themselves instead of having someone communicate on their behalf. This device also allows for social interaction and also a degree of self-expression through the ability this device has to store videos, photographs and MP3 music files. This is another way an individual can increase their independance in interpersonal interactions. 

Below: the Dynavox Xpress allows this man to communicate as it prompts him on what to say making his sentences more fluid and cohesive. This is a review of the device by a user of the product:

Here is a review of a Dynavox product from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy website where iranian woman Rabin moved to New Zealand from Iran and recieved a multitude of services and assistive devices, one of these being a Dynavox Communication Device.

Below: A young girl using a Dynavox device to enable her to learn and participate in a reading acitivity with her mother and speech-pathologist. This Dynavox is not the same as the Dynavox Xpress but is a larger device made by the same company.

This device relates to the occupational concept of occupational justice as it allows individuals to participate as equal and valued members of society. Through the use of this communication device individuals can easily express their needs in all sorts of situations with a range of people. The Dynavox allows individuals to have leisure time through the use of record keeping and music storage that is available on the device.  

References:

Sabata, D. B., Shamberg, S. & Williams, M. (2008). Optimising access to home, community and work environments. In M. V. Radomski & C. A. Trombly Latham (Eds.), Occupational therapy for physical dysfunction (6^th ed.), (pp. 952-973). Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.