Tutorial Eight

Assistive technology is technology which helps people who have disabilities in enabling them to live a fuller life, by making everyday tasks easier by adapting and creating equipment for them.

National Institute of Standards and Technology, (2011), stated,

"Assistive technology (AT) can be defined as any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

Here is a video which clearly explains what assistive technology is and how it has helped improve everyday life for people who have disabilities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2G1U6U3zh8


A piece of assistive technology that is very helpful for people with poor sight are alternative keyboards.  At the Otago Polytechnic, I have noticed that there is a very similar keyboard in the computer suite beside G-block.  Here is a picture of a keyboard that has larger buttons and print on it to make it easier to see.

https://www.renki.wpcomp.com/~ulmaster/images/zt-keyboard800x360.jpg


These keyboards range in price from around $29.95 - $145.99 in American dollars as found on the website; http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Large-Key-Large-Print-Keyboards/Keys-U-See-Wireless


They function exactly like a regular keyboard.  The only difference is that the keys are yellow so that they stand oiut and the print on the keys are larger so that people who have poor sight can see them easier.  These could be people who have glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or from age related vision loss (Enablemart, 2011).


This piece of equipment is very self-explanatory in how it increases occupational capacity for the user.  Being able to clearly see the buttons and the numbers/letters/symbols on the buttons allows the user to use their time more effectively due to being able to see clearly.


This video shows and explains how a larger print computer keyboard helps people with poor vision to use keyboards.  The keyboard that this man is demonstrating is called a ZoomText keyboard.  There are obviously different brands and types but all are made for the same reasons;

REFERENCE LIST


National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2011). What is assistive technology. Retrieved from; http://standards.gov/standards_gov/assistiveTechnology.cfm


Enablemart. (2011). Keys-U-See wireless large print keyboard.  Retrieved from; http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Large-Key-Large-Print-Keyboards/Keys-U-See-Wireless