Assistive Technologies For People With Diverse Abilities

The familiar image of the disabled tends to emphasize their limitations and reduced quality of life. However, many people with cognitive, motor, and other difficulties also have the capacity to enhance their social interactions, leisure pursuits and daily activities with the aid of assistive technology. Assistive devices from the simple to the sophisticated, have become essential to intervention programs for this population. And not surprisingly the numbers of devices available are growing steadily. Assistive Technologies for People with Diverse Abilities offers expert analysis of pertinent issues coupled with practical discussion of solutions for effective support. Its comprehensive literature review describes current and emerging devices and presents evidence-based guidelines for matching promising technologies to individuals. Program outcomes are assessed, as are their potential impact on the future of the field. In addition, chapters provide detailed descriptions of the personal and social needs of the widest range of individuals with congenital and acquired conditions, including: Acquired brain damage. Communication impairment. Attention and learning difficulties (with special focus on college students). Visual impairment and blindness. Autism spectrum disorders. Behavioral and occupational disorders. Alzheimer's disease. Severe, profound and multiple impairments. The scope and depth of coverage makes Assistive Technologies for People with Diverse Abilities an invaluable resource for researchers, professionals and graduate students in developmental psychology, rehabilitation medicine, educational technology, occupational therapy, speech pathology and clinical psychology.

The future of disability in America will depend on how well the U.S. prepares for and manages the demographic, fiscal, and technological developments that will unfold during the next two to three decades. Building upon two prior studies from the Institute of Medicine (the 1991 Institute of Medicine's report Disability in America and the 1997 report Enabling America), The Future of Disability in America examines both progress and concerns about continuing barriers that limit the independence, productivity, and participation in community life of people with disabilities. This book offers a comprehensive look at a wide range of issues, including the prevalence of disability across the lifespan; disability trends the role of assistive technology; barriers posed by health care and other facilities with inaccessible buildings, equipment, and information formats; the needs of young people moving from pediatric to adult health care and of adults experiencing premature aging and secondary health problems; selected issues in health care financing (e.g., risk adjusting payments to health plans, coverage of assistive technology); and the organizing and financing of disability-related research. The Future of Disability in America is an assessment of both principles and scientific evidence for disability policies and services. This book's recommendations propose steps to eliminate barriers and strengthen the evidence base for future public and private actions to reduce the impact of disability on individuals, families, and society.

Integrating current research with the experiences of people with cognitive disabilities, this volume examines how assistive and cognitive support technologies are being harnessed to provide assistance for thinking, remembering, and learning. The book vividly describes real-life situations in which cognitively impaired individuals use assistive supports and the advantages and limitations these individuals perceive from their use. It provides information on how cognitively impaired individuals and their families and caregivers can select the most appropriate technologies from a wide array of accommodations and resources, including individualized protocols of different forms of support to facilitate optimal functioning. The text offers practitioners a comprehensive and systematic process for ensuring their clients' effective application and utilization of this technology. This book will also provide insight for users of assistive technology and their families and caregivers to ensure optimal technology use. Key Features: Outlines an effective process for integrating assistive technologies into the activities and lifestyle of users with cognitive disabilities Explains how to match individuals with the most appropriate devices to enhance independent functioning Provides a detailed overview of neurological and physical characteristics of various cognitive disabilities present at birth or acquired through accident, illness, or aging Includes figures, checklists, assessment tools, and illustrations throughout the text for enhanced learning

For courses in Assistive Technology and Technology in Special Education. Updated with new research, content and features to address current developments in the field, this text approaches assistive technology and education in a lifespan, multidisciplinary manner by discussing the use of current technology in the fields of special education, rehabilitation, speech-language pathology, and other disciplines. Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities, Second Edition, includes eight comprehensive chapters that focus on devices and software to enhance the lives and promote the independence of people with disabilities. The textbook's content includes material that relates to most of the disability categories in IDEA 2004 and to the key concepts of the AT legislation. Featured devices and software will help the reader understand how areas such as mobility, communication, education, independent living, and access to information media affect learning and living for individuals with disabilities. Relevant foundation information is included notably, the historical perspectives of AT, assessment, universal design, and the ADAPT framework, which is a tool to help educators make decisions about appropriate AT, student needs, and the demands of the environment. Developed from the authors' years of experience teaching both K-12 students and adults, as well as their own framework for understanding assistive technology application and integrating technology into instruction, this updated text addresses assistive technology that promotes knowledge and skills, practical application and a myriad of opportunities that good technology provides for persons with disabilities. NEW! Added Personal Perspective (PP) feature at the beginning of every chapter depicts a user of AT or his or her family, Further referenced in the chapter, the PP will help the reader make connections to key content, and provide the "human side" of AT and the powerful impact it has on the lives of individuals with disabilities. NEW! The devices and software featured in this edition reflect contemporary developments in the field of AT and education. The updates are featured throughout every chapter. NEW! The ADAPT Framework has been updated in Chapter Two and is further integrated into more chapters throughout the text. An important tool to help readers make good decisions about AT devices as they relate to the user and the environmental demands, the framework is applicable and practical. NEW! Information about Universal Design has been added in Chapter Two and integrated in other chapters as appropriate. Widely accepted in the field of education as a practical, useful way to think about curricular and instructional design, AT fits logically into this framework. NEW! End-of-chapter features engage students in activities that help them to think more deeply about the material and to apply what they have learned. Discussion Questions and now the Focus On features offer opportunity for critical thinking and applying chapter concepts.

Volume numbers determined from Scope of the guidelines, p. 12-13.

Individuals with disabilities that impede their range of motion often have difficulty accessing technologies. With the use of computer-based assistive technology; devices, tools, and services can be used to maintain and improve the functional capabilities of motor disabilities. Assistive Technologies and Computer Access for Motor Disabilities investigates solutions to the difficulties of impaired technology access by highlighting the principles, methods, and advanced technological solutions for those with motor impairments. This reference source is beneficial to academia, industry, and various professionals in disciplines such as rehabilitation science, occupational therapy, human-computer interface development, ergonomics, and teaching in inclusive and special education. This publication is integrated with its pair book Disability Informatics and Web Accessibility for Motor Limitations.

This brief textbook is intended to acquaint students with information about assistive technology adaptations. Chapters discuss topics like assessment, mobility, communication, access to information, academic instruction, anchoring instruction, and independent living. Appendices include a glossary, the text of Section 508, and a list of vendors. Diane Pedrotty Bryant teaches at the University of Texas at Austin. Brian Bryant is associated with Psycho-Educational Services. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book. This up-to-date book shows how assistive technology can be used in all kinds of classrooms, at all grade levels, to enhance the teaching and learning of students with a wide range of disabilities. The emphasis is on the integration of assistive technology into the curriculum. It addresses the challenges teachers face when using assistive technology to teach new skills to students with disabilities, to increase their independence and productivity, and to provide them with access to the general education curriculum. The text discusses disability categories within the context of school-related tasks and technology-based solutions to avoid misleading readers into simply pairing a certain diagnosis with a certain tech tool. The new edition of Assistive Technology in the Classroom keeps readers abreast of relevant new developments in mobile devices and assistive technology through a new chapter on how to use assistive technology to create visual supports and promote positive behavior, chapter updates on available mobile devices, expanded information on Universal Design for Learning, and additional ideas and discussion on how to match technology tools to a student’s specific needs and strengths.

Equal accessibility to public places and services is now required by law in many countries. For the vision-impaired, specialised technology often can provide a fuller enjoyment of the facilities of society, from large scale meetings and public entertainments to reading a book or making music. This volume explores the engineering and design principles and techniques used in assistive technology for blind and vision-impaired people. This book maintains the currency of knowledge for engineers and health workers who develop devices and services for people with sight loss, and is an excellent source of reference for students of assistive technology and rehabilitation.