چکیده:
As individuals with long-term disabilities and other older adults face declines in health and function, there is a greater need for assistive technology (AT) or assistive devices and environmental interventions (EI) to help them maintain their independence and community participation. These aids can help older adults and individuals with disabilities function in work, home, recreational, and other community settings as they encounter age related or disability related changes. ‘Assistive Technology refers to products, devices or equipment that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. A thorough assessment of the individual’s preferences and needs must be conducted before an assistive device is obtained. If one type of device is inadequate to meet an individual’s needs, it should not be assumed that there are no viable alternatives. Individuals’ use of AT and the type of technology used may change over time or as they age. Low-tech aids, such as canes or walkers, or high-tech aids, such as manual or power wheelchairs or scooters, are used to help individuals achieve mobility. Assistive Technologies to aid in communication currently range from low-tech devices such as books to high-tech, augmentative communication devices, which are computers. Computer technology can help individuals become more independent and can enhance their ability to overcome a wide range of limitations. Accessibility can involve more than architectural structure. AT for use in the environment can also increase individuals’ ability to function within their environment. Advancements in AT will occur in the technology itself, the services associated with the technology, and in the government policies and programs relative to AT. There will more widespread use of universal design, with less special-purpose AT required.
خلاصه ماشینی:
1 Rehabilitation Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran As individuals with long-term disabilities and other older adults face declines in health and function, there is a greater need for assistive technology (AT) or assistive devices and environmental interventions (EI) to help them maintain their independence and community participation.
Submitted: 12 March 2010 Accepted: 29 March 2010 Introduction As individuals with long-term disabilities and other older adults face declines in health and function, there is a greater need for assistive technology (AT) or assistive devices and environmental interventions (EI) to help them maintain their independence and community participation.
New and highly personalized devices and technological advances can now aid aging individuals with disabilities in maintaining or increasing their independence, productivity, and quality of life.
com 54۵۴ Vol. 8 – No. 11 • Controlling the physical environmental in the home (environmental controls, ramps) • Facilitating greater community participation (navigational systems, recreational aids, communication devices for social interaction) • Improving mobility (wheelchairs) • Providing communication and learning aids for educational and employment settings (augmentative communication devices) • Using information technology (Internet, computers, adapted web browsers) • Helping to improve vision (glasses) and hearing (hearing aids) [1].
Assistive Technology can help to compensate functional limitations and enable people with disabilities to participate in the activities of daily life, including employment and training.