Tutorial Eight: Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is defined as ‘any item, piece of equipment or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customised that is used to increase or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities’ (Hussey and Cook. 2000. P 5). My understanding of assistive technology is something that can help individuals with a disability with performing activities.

An assistive device that was shown to us during a tutorial was an Ipad. ‘The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc. primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. Its size and weight falls between those of contemporary smartphones and laptop computers. The iPad runs the same operating system as the iPod Touch and iPhone—and can run its own applications as well as iPhone applications. Without modification, and with the exception of websites, it will only run programs approved by Apple and distributed via its online store’ (ipad, 2011) .

The Ipad is a flat computer that is 9.5 inches long, 7.31 inches wide, 0.34 inches deep and weighs 1.33 pounds (601 g). It can come with 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB. And the cost starts at $799.

You are able to download special apps that are for people with disabilities. You are able to download book that can be read aloud for blind people and you are also able to zoom in on the screen. The touch screen makes it easy to use for individuals that have limited mobility. It has apps that can be downloaded to helps kid learn and it can help kids communicate.

Here is a youtube clip about a toddler with a disability using the ipad

References:

Cook, A.M. & Hussey, S.M. (2000). Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice. USA: Maple-Vail (York).

ipad. (2011, 05 12). Retrieved 05 11, 2011, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad

Tutorial Seven: Linking to blogs of interest and exchanging comments

Task One: Make a blog feed for your chosen 5 blogs.

Here is  my 5 chosen blogs that relate to OT practice:

New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists

A Blog about OT

Hannah Perry’s OT Blog (Student)

Meaningful Occupations

OT – Educational issues

Here is an example of a post I made on another students blog:

Kirsty J said...

Nice job at directing the movie Hannah we did a good job!

12 May 2011 06:14

Hannah P said...

Thanks Kirsty! I think the movie turned out pretty well :) Great team effort.

12 May 2011 06:15

Tutorial Six: The internet and online communities

The purpose of this post is to talk about online communities the three that I will talk about are Facebook, Skype and Twitter. The titles of each online community is a link to the website.

Facebook

Facebook is a social networking website that was launched in 2004 and is privately owned and operated by Facebook Inc. It allows people to make a free personal profile where they can add other members of facebook as friends to post comments on their pages or to talk on chat. People are able to join interest groups, organised by the workplace, school or college, or other characteristics.

The purpose of this site is to basically keep in contact with friends and family. You are able to post photos and videos, chat to friends, exchange posts and comment on photos. Facebook is as safe as you want it to be. You can set your profile to be public so anyone can see your information or set it to private where only your friends are able to see your information and photos.

Skype

Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice calls and chats over the internet. Calls to other users within the skype service are free and calls to landline phones and cell phones cost. Additional features are instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing.

Skype allows you to talk to friends and family all over the world on the internet. Some are able to use webcams to see the person you’re talking to. It also allows you to instant message people.

Twitter

Twitter is a website, owned and operated by Twitter Inc., which offers a social networking and microblogging service, enabling its users to send and read messages called tweets.  People are able to post comments that others are able to see and comment on also.

Tutorial Five: Video Production Sessions

'YouTube is a popular video hosting and sharing service that was purchased by Google in 2006. The service lets users view and upload video files. In addition to hosting videos, the service lets users rate videos, add comments, and subscribe to their favorite producers' (About.com 2011).

Introduce a chosen topic of interest drawn from your fieldwork experience, an OT practice area or a personal occupation.

In my first fieldwork placement we had a lot of clients that came in with Dementia. This is my chosen topic. See below for five youtube clips about dementia.

The first clip is a brain tour of the effects of dementia:

This second clip is titled 'Living with Dementia' and explains what it's like to have dementia:

The third video is about recognising the onset of dementia:

The next clip is about how to keep our brains healthy: 

The final clip is about the symptoms of dementia:

References:

Youtube. (2011). Retrieved 05 12, 2011, from About.com: http://google.about.com/od/moreaboutgoogleaps/p/youtubeprofile.htm