at for home and community living

AT for Home and CommunityMargaret Cisco, ATLA AT Specialist

Assistive Technology of Alaska

• CEU Announcement

• Resources

• Follow-up survey

Housekeeping


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


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


What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?


• 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?


Positioning and Mobility

Vision

Hearing

Maintaining Lifestyles As We AgeMaintaining Lifestyles As We AgeQuality of Life


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


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


AT for Seating & Mobility


Walkers

Specialized wheelchairs

Scooters Seat Assists

Wheelchairs

Mobility - Not Just For Big People


Gait Trainers

Wheelchairs

Walkers

AT for Positioning and Mobility


Bed sensor alarms

Bed Rails

Hoyer Lift

Roll guards

Bed pull ups

Bed Wedges

AT for Mobility


Bath benchesShower seats Grab bars

Ramps Stair climbers Emergency Evacuation Assists

Mounting systems and accessories


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


• 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


• 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


AT for HearingAT for Hearing

Personal Assisted listening devices

Loop systemsFM Systems

Alert Systems

Easy Amplified Cell Phones

AT for Hearing


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


AT for Memory


Talking Photo Album

Automatic Faucet Automatic Toilet

Smart PhonesPDAs

Smart Phones + Special Software

Pill reminder /alarm

Simple Photo Phone

AT for Memory


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


AT for Communication


Low-tech boards

iTouch - Communication Applications Voice output devices

Text Communication High-Tech communicationVoice Amplifiers

AT for Communication


Single message Two messages Sequence of messages

One or more messages Wearable

AT for Household Tasks


Easy Key Turner Check Writing Guide

Pan Holder

Special Dishes & Utensils

Lighting Dressing Aids


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


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


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ATLAwww.atlaak.org

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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


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


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


• Person uses AT to accomplish the goal • Completes tasks more independently • Completes task more efficiently • Completes with increased safety• Completes with increased safety


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


AT Resources - www.aktradingpost.orgAT Resources - www.aktradingpost.org


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


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
