Tut Eight: Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is Any item, piece of equipment, or system, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals (Cook & Hussey, 2002) I understand this as equipment that helps an individual with disabilities to become more independent. The individual becomes more independent my maintaining, increasing or improve their functional capabilities.

  

For my peice of assistive technology I choice the Smoothie Switch. The cost of the Smoothie Switch is £25. The size of the operating area is either 75mm which is considered small or 125mm which is considered large. It has a low operating force with tactile feedback. It is also easily mounted via standard fixing holes. It is available in cranberry (red), banana (yellow), blueberry (blue) or apple (green).

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/afKfSPvYQ3M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZzU2-zu4bSI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Both these videos relates to occupational deprivation. Townsend, 2010 stated that occupational deprivation being ‘a state of prolonged preclusion from engagement in occupations of necessity and/or meaning due to factors which stand outside of the control of the individual’.

The switches are enabling the users participate in occupations that they would not be able to do without the use of the switches. Disabled people often cannot do certain things due to their impairment therefore switches eliminate the impairment. 

APA Referencing:

Christiansen, C.H., & Townsend, E.A. (2010). Introduction to occupation: The art and science of living. (2^nd Eds.). New Jersey: Pearson.Yxakmn

Y  Youtube, (2012). Simply works product demonstration. Retrived from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzU2-zu4bSI&feature=player_embedded

Youtube, (2012) S.W.I.T.C.H. - See what I totally can handle!. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afKfSPvYQ3M

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