Assistive Technology Gadgets That Could Change Your Life

"Assistive technology devices can help someone improve physical or mental functioning, overcome a disorder or impairment, prevent the worsening of a condition, increase capacity to learn, or even replace a missing limb." Suzanne Robitaille, Author of The Illustrated Guide to Assistive Technology.

For vision impaired what follows is a transcript of the infographic kindly supplied by Home Healthcare Adaptations, a family run company based in Ireland that specializes in adapting homes for those with disabilities and the elderly.

Transcript:

Helping Visually Impaired

The Braille EDGE 40 Display

• Reads content on a computer screen and converts it to Braille characters.
• Includes 7 built in apps including a scheduler, alarm clock, stopwatch, countdown timer and a built in calculator.
• Multiple languages.
• Connect to a computer or PDA via Bluetooth and stay connected all day without the need to charge it.
• Up to 32GB on an SD Card to store thousands of books and documents.
• Costs $2,995.

Helping Wheelchair Users

Kenguru Electric Car

• An electric car in which drivers can remain in their wheelchair when transferring themselves into the car.
• Eliminates the need to collapse the wheelchair and transfer separately.
• Access is via the rear-opening tailgate.
• Steering is by motorbike style handlebar and a joystick option is being introduced.
• An interlocking device secures the wheelchair.
• Design allows parking rear end to the pavement for accessibility.
• Reaches 25 miles per hour and ideal for short errands.
• Costs US$25,000.

Transcript Continues below Infograpic...

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Helping Limited Limb Usage

HeadMouse Extreme

• An alternative type of computer mouse that translates head movements into proportional movements on a computer screen.
• A disposable adhesive sensor is placed on the user's forehead, hat or glasses, and tracked by a wireless optical sensor.
• As the user moves their head, the mouse pointer moves on screen.
• The precision of the mouse pointer allows the user to perform tasks such as CAD graphics work, gaming and drawing.
• Connects to the computer via a USB port. No special software needed.
• Costs US$995.

Helping Hearing Loss

Alarm Clock Pro Vibrating Clock

• Wakes users up with high intensity LED lights and a bed shaker that emits sound from underneath the pillow.
• Loud ascending alarm that spans multiple frequencies so even if you have high frequency hearing loss you won't miss the alarm.
• 4 flashing LED lights.
• Large LCD display with adjustable backlight.
• Battery backup powers all functions during a power outage.
• RJ-11 jack to connect your telephone for the built-in phone ringer amplifier lets you know when the phone is ringing.
• Costs US$99 +.

The Multi-Tasker

The iPad & Apps

"Touch has made it exceptionally accessible - everyone has an iPad, everyone has an iPod. If you're someone with a disability, having something that other people are using makes you feel like part of the in-crowd." Michelle Diament, Co-founder, Disability Scoop

• Affordable Touch to Speak Technology
• Before iPad touch to speak technology was extremely expensive - $8,000 +. iPads retail for $499. Apps like Yes / No allow users to voice preferences in yes or no responses.
• An Educational Tool
• It is an informative educational tool allowing users to discuss difficulties with online communities. Apple has previously featured a section called 'Apps for Special Education' in the apps store.
• A Therapeutic Device
• iPads act as therapeutic devices as users can see that they are able to interact with the world around them.
• Task Orientated Behavioral Monitor
• It can act as a behavioral monitor reminding users to take medication through apps like Medication Reminder or remind them about tasks.

References:

1. www.abilitymagazine.com/abledbody.html
2. mashable.com/2012/02/29/tech-disabilities/
3. mashable.com/2013/09/12/assistive-technology/
4. www.gizmag.com/kenguru-enters-production/23412/
5. www.harriscomm.com/bellman-vibrating-alarm-clock-pro-led.html
6. mashable.com/2011/07/25/ipads-disabilities/