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Smart Technologies for Everyday Living

Tony Gentry, PhD OTR/L

What is Disability? 21st Century Rehabilitation

How do we get there? What is AT?• Any item, piece of equipment or product 

system, whether acquired commerciallyoff the shelf, or modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

• Any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, and use of an assistive technology device.

• Tech Act, 1988

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Everyday AT ‐mobility Everyday AT – Wheelchairs, etc.

Johnny Kelley

• IT Engineer• Inspirational Speaker

Now & Soon

Puma bySegway

Magicwheels

iBotWhii e‐wheels

Everyday AT ‐ Cars

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Toney Lineberry, Esq.• Law Professor• Road Safety Lecturer• Inspirational Speaker and Author• Graduate of University of Virginia School of Law• Father of twins

• All achieved after an auto accident caused a C‐6 spinal cord injury at age 17

New & Soon…

Google Self‐Driving Car

Kenguru e‐car

Everyday AT – in home & out

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Now & Soon

RI‐Man

Computer Access

• Mouse control & Pointers• Alternative keyboards• Speech Recognition• Software adaptations

– Spell Check– Sticky Keys– Word prediction– Screen readers– Task Organization

Task Adaptations

• Computer skill is the strongest indicatorof competitive employment for people with mobility impairments

• Develop skills

• Focus on computer access technologies

• Opportunities for home‐based employment/telecommuting

Internet socializing

• facebook.com

• myspace.com

• disabilities‐r‐us.com/community/

• inspire.com/groups/paralysis‐resource‐center/Chris and Diana Reeves Foundation‐sponsored site

• disaboom.com

Computer Access – Now & Soon Everyday AT ‐ Cognition

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iPod Touch• Organization apps• Still/video camera• Face Time video‐calls• Built‐in microphone• Voice‐over accessibility• Background‐running program 

capability• Application Folders• Highly portable• All‐day battery

Functional Cognition

• Remembering to do things (medications, appointments)

• Memory for names/faces, locales• Task Sequencing• Multi‐tasking• Dealing with Distractions• Adapting to transitions and changes in routines• Dealing with frustration

How ATC Can Help:

• Remembering to do things/forward planning• Task‐Sequencing• Wayfinding• Managing Problematic Behaviors & Situations• Health Management• Safety• Communication• Home & Money Management• Academics• Sensory ability accommodations

Hack Story Kit

• Free app

• Picture sequences

• Captioning and drawing

• Audio cues

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSWQkUS4kXk

Patient Services Representative Assistant at Doctor’s Office

• Filing patient charts alphabetically

• Checking shelves for alphabetical order

• Scanning new patient information

• Sorting and delivering faxes to the 7 doctors

VoCal

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Task Analysis in Notes Story Kit

Story Kit cont. Before Story Kit prompts

With Story Kit prompts Cognitive AT – Now & Soon

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Everyday AT ‐ Vision

SENSORY AT ‐ other The Service Side of AT

Team Approach

• Client – The Expert• Caregiver• Employer• Co‐workers• Rehab Counselor• Occupational Therapist• Job Coach/Supported 

Employment Specialist• Assistive Technology 

Practitioner

Person‐Centered Collaborative Problem‐Solving

• Visioning – What could I do if…?• Assessment of Skills and Needs in the Workplace• Not just what jobs am I good at, but what activities on the 

job require supports, which do not• Costs and Benefits of various adaptations• Rent or borrow AT – trial and error• Work with employer, job coach, coworkers, too• Who will act as team facilitator/leader?• Follow‐along and revision

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Heirarchy of AT provision:

1. Modify the task parameters2. Use commercially available products3. Combine technologies not typically used 

together4. Modify existing commercial devices5. Use rehabilitation‐specific products6. Fabricate new devices

Task Adaptations

• Simplify

• Automate & Delegate

• Planning Ahead

• Pacing yourself

• Organizational software, strategies

• Communication 

Employer & Co‐worker concerns

• He’s got an easier job than I do.• She’s not safe here.• Our insurance costs will go up.• Now everyone will want this 

accommodation.• Expect sub‐par work.• I don’t want outsiders making 

accommodations here.

Questions for Vendors

• What service is provided?

• Do you loan or trial AT with users?

• Do you provide training?

• What happens if it breaks?

• Repair and return time?

• Get a statement of charges for services & repairs

Formative & Summative Evaluation

• Assess on‐site

• Reassess

• Try something else

• When do you know it’s working?

• When do you check back in?

• How do you build on success?

• Don’t forget the interpersonal.

Worksite Social Issues

• Communication• Sharing• Collaboration• Management• The importance of the interpersonal

• Socializing

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What does it mean to be an Assistive Technology practitioner?• You are a therapist• But you are also a technician• Follow‐along and maintenance• Collaboration and “Buy‐in”• Transparency• Not too new• Not too weird• Seek help and share.

Issues with Technology

• It breaks

• It requires maintenance

• It evolves

• Liberating and confining

• The Human Cyborg Movement

Funding• Early Intervention Programs 

(IDEA)• Head Start• Public Schools (IEP or Section 504 

of Rehab Act)• Vocational Rehabilitation Services• Social Security Administration 

(PASS and IRWE)• Medicaid

• Loans• Non‐Profit Disability Associations• Foundations• Civic Organizations• Charities and Fund‐Raisers• Used Equipment Sales• Leasing

Thank you!

Tony Gentry, PhD OTR/LAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Occupational TherapyDirector, Assistive Technology for Cognition LaboratoryVirginia Commonwealth Universitylogentry@vcu.edu

All video and other media used by permission.