Independent Living and Assistive Technology
There have been significant developments over the last few years in what is termed assistive technology, which support the Independent Living (IL) philosophy. Assistive technology includes a range of technologies, devices and equipment, which enable people with significant mobility, sensory or speech impairments to control the environment around them and communicate, achieving personal independence in their everyday life. They can, in some instances, enable the person to manage completely independently. But Personal Assistance services are still required in most situations, though sometimes to a lesser degree.
Assistive technology devices include a variety of tools and equipment from the low-tech, such as a white cane making it possible for a person with a visual difficulty to be mobile; to devices such as a hearing aid to enable someone with a hearing impairment use a telephone; or a wheelchair enabling a person to move around their home, work or school. However, in the last ten years there have been great advances in the development of high-tech electronic devices. These include remote-control devices, personal alarm systems and specialised computer software including voice-recognition and speech synthesis.
Types of high-tech assistive technology which can facilitate independent living include:
- Environmental controls - accessible remote controls (eg switch or voice-controlled) for turning on and off lights, using the telephone, opening and closing doors, windows, curtains, operating household devices
- Augmentative and alternative communication - devices for people who have communication difficulties which include text-to-speech, symbol-to-speech, text-reading-to-speech, click-to-type, and loop-system hearing aids
- Mobility - alternative control of powered wheelchairs such as using a switch instead of a joystick to operate a wheelchair, suck-and-puff switch control, seat-raising devices, posture changing devices.
- Computer access - alternative means of access to computers and technology, eg switches using eye-movement control or suck-and-puff, specialised software and voice recognition systems.
Where to Source Assistive Technology?
The Central Remedial Clinic and Enable Ireland have been at the forefront of assessing and deploying assistive technology solutions in Ireland. They also provide extensive training to Assistive Technology Assessors which is facilitating the broad spread of assistive technology into all areas of disability.
A relatively new resource in the field of high-tech assistive technology in Ireland is www.Try-It.ie. Try-It is an online library of electronic assistive technology devices. Staff of member organisations can borrow from a wide-range of state-of-the-art electronic devices to trial with their clients and/or for professional training purposes. Try-It is a multi-agency initiative and non-disability specific resource, and it serves individuals with disabilities across the country. For more information, visit www.Try-It.ie.
Here you will find a list of contact details of these and other assistive technology information and service providers.
