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