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Assistive Technology and Aging: Tools For Life. Sonya Van Horn, M.S., ATP Regional Assistive Technology Consultant NC Assistive Technology Program. NC Assistive Technology Program. Services Provided: Advocacy Consultation Equipment Demonstration Education and Training Equipment Loan
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Assistive Technology and Aging:Tools For Life Sonya Van Horn, M.S., ATP Regional Assistive Technology Consultant NC Assistive Technology Program
NC Assistive Technology Program Services Provided: • Advocacy • Consultation • Equipment Demonstration • Education and Training • Equipment Loan • Information and Referral • Program Development • Technical Assistance • Technical Services
Eligibility NCATP provides services to individuals of all ages, all disabilities, their families and service providers.
What is Assistive Technology? • Any device that allows an individual to live more independently, improve productivity and enhance their quality of life. • Designed to help individuals compensate for physical changes related to aging such as vision loss, hearing difficulties, decreased flexibility and agility, memory loss, etc. • Assistive Technologies often remove barriers to life’s problems, and mean the difference between dependence and independence, between living at home or not. • Currently over 60,000 products on the market.
Assistive Technology is anything that makes it easier to… Get Around Play Control your World Remember Write Read Live Independently Learn Communicate
Technology= Tools = Power Assistive Technology empowers people to: • Extend physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities • Work more efficiently, increase productivity • Extend communication abilities • Increase options
Who Uses Assistive Technology? All of us
Hello Who Uses Assistive Technology? • Individuals with sensory needs • Individuals with motor needs • Individuals with cognitive problems • Individuals with speech and language problems
Functional Benefits ofAssistive Technology • Helps individuals become more independent or maintain a level of independence in all phases of their lives. • Enables individuals to enjoy learning, living, working and playing more fully. • Redefines what is possible with a wide range of cognitive, sensory, and physical disabilities. • Provides creative solutions that assist individuals as they go about their day to day activities.
Functional Benefits ofAssistive Technology • Decreases environmental barriers. • Decreases frustration. • Increases self esteem. • Increases safety. • Increases communication and understanding. • Increases choice making.
Vision Issues • Products that • Magnify • Provide voice/sound output • Provide contrast • Reduce glare • Provide enlarged text or numbers • Provide tactile markers
Hearing Issues • Products that provide • Volume control • Signaling/alerting • Visual display • Vibrating products • RELAY Service • TEDP Program
Getting Around • Canes • Walkers • Wheelchairs • Scooters • Barrier free lifts • Bath lifts • Van lifts
Personal Care • Routine activities that are performed every day • Dressing • Clothing • Grooming • Bathroom
Memory & Attention • Products that provide • Reminders • Visual, auditory or tactile alerts
Every Day Gadgets & Gizmos • Products that • Empower individuals to perform activities of daily life independently
Home Safety • Universal Design • Accessibility • Accessible Route
Home Safety Replace conventional door hinges with offset hinges. These hinges can add about 1.5 to 2 inches to the width of the doorway. Will allow wider access for mobility.
Communication • Products that • Provide a voice for someone who cannot speak • Empower users to communicate needs, wants, feelings and to connect with others • May be low tech or high tech • Writing • Telephone
Computer Use • Products that • Make computers easier to use • Make computer screens easier to see
Recreation • Gardening • Bowling • Cycles • Exercisers • Fishing & Hunting • Games • Golf • Pool Lifts • Reading • Hobbies • Travel • Water Sports • Wheelchairs &Beach Access
Types of Assistive Technology • Visual and Hearing Aids • Switch Access • Recreation • Mobility • Job Accommodation • Environmental Control • Computer Access • Augmentative Communication • Aids for Daily Living