Transcript The Role of Assistive Technology in Providing Services to

The Role of Assistive Technology in Providing
Services to Victims with Disabilities
D.J. Stemmler, COTA, BA
Clinical Administrator
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s
Center for Assistive Technology
Objectives
• The objectives for the presentation is to define
Assistive Technology (AT).
• Provide those in attendance with a knowledge of
the different areas of Assistive Technology
• Provide examples of low and high tech assistive
technology devices commonly used by people
with disabilities.
• To understand that role Assistive Technology can
play in serving victims
Assistive Technology is…
• Any item, piece of equipment, or product
whether acquired commercially, modified
or customized, that is used to increase,
maintain or improve functional
capabilities of people with disabilities.
Areas of Assistive Technology
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Wheelchair Seating and Mobility
Augmentative Communication
Environment
Transportation
Sensory
Computer Access
Statistics
• There is an estimated 54 million
Americans with a special needs.
• The number will increase with the graying
of America
• 10 million Americans with disabilities are
working age and unemployed
Common Disabilities to use
Assistive Technology
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Spinal Cord Injuries
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Cerebral Palsy
Spina Bifida
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Aging
Diabetes and Associated Issues
Assistive Technology Team
Members and Possible Providers
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Most Important CLIENT!
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
Speech and Language Therapist
Rehabilitation Engineers
Audiologist
Machinist
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
Suppliers and Manufacturers
Case Manager/Clinical Administrators
Mobility Aids
• Wheelchairs
– Manual
• Standard/Light Weight/Ultra Lightweight
– Motorized
• Front wheel drive
• Rear wheel drive
• Midwheel drive
– Scooters
• 3 and 4 wheel
– Combinations
• Power assist
• Walkers
• Canes
Seating Accessories
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Power Seat Elevator
Power Recline
Power Tilt
Power Elevating Legs
Standing Chairs
Control Methods
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Hands, Arms
Joystick Standard
Chin Control
Head control
Sip and puff
Head Movement
Tongue Touch
Communication Aids
• Low Tech
– Communication Boards
– Sign Language
– Writing, pointing, gesturing
• High Tech
– Augmentative Communication DevicesSpeech output
– Print Output
– Text messaging/Email
Environmental Factors to
Consider in your service area
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Parking
Doors to Entrances and Exits
Accessible paths to Buildings
Bathrooms
Lights
Waiting Area
Culturally appropriate surroundings
Home Environmental Issues
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Phone
Lights
Door
Television/DVD/Radio
Call bell if in a hospital or assisted living
Bed control
Transportation
• Accessible Public Transportation
• Accessible Para transit
• Personal Vehicle Modification
– Scooter, Chair lifts
– Portable Ramps
– Automatic Doors Ramps
– Hand controls, reduced effort steering
– Digicontrol Vans
Sensory AT
• Assistive Listening Devices
– TTY/TTD
– Relay
– Amplifiers
– Hearing Aids
– Signaling Device
– Voice Over
– Captioning- Open Real Time
Sensory AT
• Blindness or Low Vision
– Signage
– Minimal Point Font Size for Print
– Enlarged Print
– Text To Speech
– Audible Signals for thing like crosswalks,
elevators, buses
– Canes
– Assistant Animals
Computer AT
• Input Devices
– Adaptive Keyboard
– Switches
– Voice Recognition
– Communication Devices
• Output
– Braille
– Large Print
– Text to Speech
What Does AT Mean to Victims
• A mechanism or means to:
– Move
– Communicate
– Read Material
– Consent
– Get Away
– Get To
– TAKE CONTROL
Why Isn’t AT Used?
• Devices aren’t available
• Victim Service Agencies aren’t familiar
with AT and don’t know how to use it.
• There isn’t adequate representation of
words or symbols to tell what happened
• No one acts as a facilitator between victim,
device and legal system
Summary
• Typically people with disabilities and victims are
served by separate agencies. Because people
with disabilities are frequently also victims of
violence there is an increasing need to address
service provision issues. Just as there is an
effort to reach out to diverse populations there
needs to be a recognition that people with
disabilities are part of that and under served
diverse population. It also needs to be
recognized that typical service provision isn’t
working.
WHY AssistiveTechnology?
• Assistive Technology can be one of the many
bridges used to link the two communities; the
disabled and victim services communities.
Providing victims with an environment that
recognizes and supports the use of AT devices
and services increases the chances the victims
with disabilities will utilize the services. It will
help the communicate, report crimes, seek
services and most of take and keep control over
their lives.
Conclusion
• Taking away AT devices in places like
emergency rooms and police stations is similar
to tying a victim to a chair or covering their
mouth with tape so they can’t speak. Wheels
are their legs, computers their voices and to not
recognize the important role they play is no
more grievous than not recognizing that people
with disabilities are also victims. This
presentation will introduce AT as an important
treatment modality.