Assistive technology
Low-tech:
real materials or actual tools in natural environments: e.g.pencil grips, slant boards, pictures for communication,automatic page turners, book holders
High-tech:
Communication:text-to-speech,speech-to-text, or brain-computer interfaces,Audio
Recording.
Mobility:Simple to sophisticated computer controlled wheelchairs and mobility aids are available. Technology may be used to aid direction-finding, guiding users to destinations. Computer cueing systems and robots have also been used to guide users with intellectual disabilities.
Environmental control: assistive technology can help people with severe or multiple disabilities to control electrical appliances, audio/video equipment such as home entertainment systems or to do something as basic as lock and unlock doors.
Activities of daily living. Technology is assisting people with disabilities to successfully complete everyday tasks of self-care. Examples include: Audio prompting devices may be used to assist a person with memory difficulties to complete a task or to follow a certain sequence of steps from start to finish in such activities as making a bed or taking medication.Video-based instructional materials can help people learn functional life skills such as grocery shopping, writing a check, paying the bills or using the ATM machine
Education:Technology is used in education to aid communication, support activities of daily living and to enhance learning. Computer-assisted instruction can help in many areas, including word recognition, math, spelling and even social skills. Computers have also been found to promote interaction with non-disabled peers.
Employment:Technology, such as video-assisted training, is being used for job training.Prompting systems using audio cassette recorders and computer-based prompting devices have been used to help workers stay on task. Computerized prompting systems can help people manage their time in scheduling job activities.
Sports and recreation:Toys can be adapted with switches and other technologies to facilitate play for children. Computer or video games provide age-appropriate social opportunities and help children learn cognitive and eye-hand coordination skills. Specially designed Internet-access software can help people with intellectual disabilities access the World Wide Web. Exercise and physical fitness can be supported by video-based technology.
Cognitive aids, including computer or electrical assistive devices, to help people with memory, attention, or other challenges in their thinking skills