Sonya Van Horn, M.S., ATPAT ConsultantNorth Carolina Assistive Technology Program

North Carolina Assistive Technology Program•State & federally funded

•No charge to persons with disabilities and families

•Programs that are required by law to provide assistive technology services must reimburse us for our services

•Vocational Rehabilitation

•Independent Living

•Veteran’s Administration

•Public School Systems

•CAP-MR/DD

EligibilityNCATP provides AT services to individuals of all ages, all disabilities, their families and service providers.

Services

Advocacy

Consultation

Equipment Demonstration

Education and Training

Equipment Loan

Information and Referral

Technical Assistance

Technical Services

Program Development

Sylva ATRC

Sylva ATRC

Sylva ATRC

Sylva ATRC

Sylva ATRC

What Is Assistive

Technology? Any piece of equipment that is used to increase the independence of an individual with a disability.

Technology=Tools=Power

Assistive technology is connecting the world quickly and easily in previously unimaginable ways, especially through the Internet and e-mail. Many of these advances have been lifesavers for people with disabilities.

Technology choice depends on type and severity of aphasia

• Receptive– Difficulty understanding spoken

language– Difficulty understanding text

• Expressive– Difficulty speaking

Most Common Types of Assistive Technology Used by Persons with

Aphasia

• Computer-based Treatment Systems

• Augmentative Communication

• Computer Access

• Reading Aids

Computer-based Treatment Systems

Computer-based treatment systems consist of a regular desktop or laptop computer equipped with specialized software programs. The software programs may be used by the person with aphasia independently or may be used as an adjunct to weekly therapy sessions with a speech-language pathologist or other rehabilitation professional.

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Knowing whether or not a computer will be helpful in home therapy is a complex decision. It requires detailed knowledge of the user's language capabilities plus a familiarity with the software and hardware options. How do you pick software that targets the skills that need to be strengthened? How do you know that the difficulty level is not too high and not too low? A speech language pathologist and/or an assistive technology consultant can help you find answers.

Computer-based Treatment Systems

Computer-based Treatment Systems

Research demonstrates that specific problems may be improved with computerized treatment approaches. For example:

Computerized reading treatment has been shown to improve the language performance of people with aphasia on reading tasks that were not computer based.

Computer-based Treatment Systems

People report benefits that come from “exercising” their brain and practicing skills on a daily basis with the nonjudgmental, immediate feedback a computer can provide.

Computer-based Treatment Systems

To find out whether you might benefit from a computer-based treatment system, you need first to determine your particular goals. A speechlanguage pathologist can help you define goals and identify appropriate software tools. There are programs designed to help with:

auditory comprehensionreading comprehensionwritingword-findingcognitive skills, such as attention, memory and problem solving

Software for At-home Language Practice

• MossTalk Words• Parrot Software• Lingraphica

Computer-based Treatment Systems

A symbol-based communication system, in combination with a daily training program, has been shown to improve natural language production in people with severe aphasia

Augmentative Communication Systems

• These systems help people with speech or language disorders function better in daily life. They may look like portable “talking boxes” or may consist of software that is used on a desktop or laptop computer.

• Augmentative and alternative communication systems can enhance the speech and writing of people with significant speech and language difficulties.

Augmentative Communication Systems• A wide variety of alternative

communication options exist:– voice-output devices that come in many

shapes and sizes– word-prediction software that “guesses”

what you are trying to type– programs that read the text on the screen

out loud• Alternative communication systems

may also be called “speech-generating devices” and are covered by Medicare and many other insurance

Augmentative Communication Systems

• Can be a low tech device (such as an alphabet board) or a very high tech device (such as a computer driven by the eye gaze of its user). The critical thing is to match the communication needs and abilities of the user to the right device.

Augmentative Communication Systems

The American Speech/Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) has produced a booklet to outline the process for deciding when an augmentative communication device would be helpful in enhancing communication. For a free copy of

"Augmentative Communication for Consumers", contact theAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association:ASHAConsumer Information10801 Rockville PikeRockville, MD 20852Phone: 800-638-8255 or 301-987-5700http://www.asha.org/

Augmentative Communication Systems

Low Tech Symbol Systems

Augmentative Communication Systems

Recorded Voice Systems

Augmentative Communication Systems

Text-based Systems

Augmentative Communication Systems

Dedicated Digitized Voice Systems

Augmentative Communication Systems

Computer-based Systems

Computer Access• Alternative

keyboards• Alternative mice

• trackballs• eye gaze systems• head mouse• foot mouse

• Word predicting programs

Reading Pens• Are shaped like a pocket-sized pen with

a display screen and buttons. Users scan printed text with the small optical scanner in the tip of the pen, and the device translates, defines, reads aloud, or stores the text quickly and accurately – anytime and anywhere.

• Reading pens can:– Define and translate scanned everyday

words, phrases, and professional terms into any of 25 languages

– Read scanned words aloud– Store scanned text and transfer it to a PC or

handheld device (online or later)– Use special display and audio features to

help people with special needs (such as dyslexia, aphasia, and literacy issues)

Funding Resources• Public schools, private schools, Head Start• CSHS/Medicaid• CAP MR/DD• Birth to Three AT Funds• Vocational Rehabilitation• Independent Living• Private health insurance (DME)• Disability organizations (Easter Seals, UCPA)• Service organizations (Lions, Masons, Elks)• Private organizations• Self-pay/low interest loans

Determine the need.Determine the device or assistive

technology needed.Determine available funding resources.Gather all essential information.Get funding authorization approval.Seek co-payment sources.Seek appeals as appropriate.

Funding Process

NCATPFunding Specialist

Annette Lauber919-850-2787

Staff

Sonya Van Horn, M.S., ATP

AT Consultant

Mary Kay Dulin, B.S.AT Specialist

Computer Access• Provide access to internet

information resources• Increase employment

options• Increase educational

opportunities• Increase communication

with the world

Job Accommodation• Increase

employment options

• Provide compensation for sensory deficits

Activities of Daily Living

• Increase independence

• Improve safety• Decrease risk of

injury to care providers

Vehicle Modifications

• Provide community access

Recreation

• Increase access to recreational opportunities

• "Computers Made Easy: A guide to computer solutions for• individuals with disabilities and their caregivers." Ruth Bluestone• ©2000. This practical guide will answer important questions

related• to the use of computers by individuals with disabilities, specifically• those with communication and/or cognitive problems. Its goal is to• help individuals with disabilities, the professionals who treat them,• and family members find hardware and software solutions to meet• the individual needs and to enhance the quality of lives of• individuals with disabilities. Cost 22.50USD (includes shipping and• handling). To order, call Ruth Bluestone at 508-238-6015 or email• r.bluestone@comcast.net for more information.