Tutorial Eight: Assistive technology

Provide a definition of Assistive technology (your Cook and Hussey reading may be helpful with this).

Assistive technology is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.

Retrieved 12 June, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology

Describe one piece of equipment introduced in the assistive technology tutorial. Provide information on size, cost and functions.

Fibre-Optic Eye-Blink Switch.

Customised to detect purposeful eye-blinks

This switch works best when eye-blinking is the only movement the user is able to perform. The sensor is capable of discriminating between random eye-blinks and purposeful controlled eye-blinks. A head strap is included and the device can also be used with other body parts in fibre-optic mode.

Specifications

Dimensions: 1.9cm (3/4") L x 0.6cm (1/4") Diameter
Sensing range: 0.6cm (1/4")

Fibre-Optic Eye-Blink Power Control Module (PCM-2)

This sensor can only be used in conjunction with the AMDi custom designed rechargeable Power Control Module PCM-2. This Power Control Module is included with the Fibre-Optic Eye-Blink Switch

Retrieved on June 12, 2008 from http://www.spectronics.co.nz/product.asp?product=16165

The price of the Blink-switch. power control module, and headstrap is NZD $1068 plus $133.50 gst.

How does your chosen piece of equipment increased functional capacity for the user? Provide examples here from the tutorial and lecture.

This switch can be used to turn almost any piece of electrical equipment on and off, such as a stereo or a blender.

Function: The Fiber-Optic Eye-blink switch provides a switch closure when the user does a controlled purposeful eye blink, normal or rapid eye blinks are ignored (the Delay switch must be set ON). When the Delay switch is set in the OFF position, the Fiber-Optic Eye-blink switch can be used to sense any movement that passes through the fiber optic beam. The sensing range of the beam is a ¼”.

Usage: Use this sensor when an eye-blink is the only movement that can be controlled to activate a switch or when only small movements are available that requires no touch. The types of appliances that can be activated include personal computers, communication systems, environmental controls, and toys.

Retrieved on June 12, 2008 from
http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/downloads/general/amdi/Fiber%20Optic%20Eyeblink.pdf