The 5 W’s of Assistive Technology
Are you curious about Assistive Technology (AT)? Have you heard the term, but you aren’t really sure what all it encompasses? Take a look at the 5 W’s of Assistive Tech to learn more about how you might be able to incorporate it into your life, or the life of your loved ones, so you can each reach your highest potential!
Who?
Who is Assistive Technology for?
Assistive Tech is for anyone who has a need for an adapted way of doing something. Think of it this way: everyone has a different body, and different things their bodies can do. Some people are tall and can reach things easily, while some people are short and need a step stool or a grabber device to reach things. Some people have 20/20 vision and need no visual assistance, while some people don’t have 20/20 vision and need corrective lenses or other devices to help them see or experience the world in some other way. Assistive technology shouldn’t be kept for only those with the most extreme needs, it’s available in a myriad of ways for anyone who may gain a better quality of life by using it.
What?
What is Assistive Technology?
The term Assistive Technology refers to any device that is used to support the health and activity of a person with a disability. The U.S. Assistive Technology Act of 2004 defined assistive technology device as:
“Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
Assistive Tech exists on a spectrum. It may be high-tech, meaning that it is technologically complex, like a motorized wheelchair or an adaptive speech software program. It can also be low-tech, like a cane, or large-print reading materials. Each piece of Assistive Tech is meant to enhance a person’s ability to participate in the day-to-day activities of life more easily.
Where?
Where can Assistive Technology be found?
Assistive Technology can be found everywhere: typical brick and mortar stores, specialized locations, you can even make low-tech Assistive Technology devices on your own! In Pennsylvania, there is a lending library of Assistive Technology devices which allows you to borrow devices for 5-9 weeks (depending on the device) so you can determine if a device would benefit you or your loved one. The program, TechOwl Lending Library, is part of Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities. The TechOWL website has a variety of resources and a list of devices you to select to borrow: https://techowlpa.org/library/
Across the state, TechOWL has Assistive Technology Resource Centers to staffed with Assistive Technology Specialists who can speak with you about device options and help you find the right kind of Assistive Technology for you or your loved one. Locally, UCP Central PA is the Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) covering Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, and York Counties. If you would like to find out which ATRC Center covers your county, visit the Tech Owl Website listed above.
Additionally, if you are located in South Central Pennsylvania and you are having difficulty obtaining a specific piece of Assistive Technology, check out UCP Central PA’s Changing Hands. Changing Hands is an equipment reuse program for various types of Assistive Technology for individuals in the community who may not be able to obtain needed devices or equipment. All items are offered free of charge and can be picked up at the Changing Hands locations. Follow the Assistive Tech UCP Central PA Facebook page to see items that are currently available: https://www.facebook.com/ATUCPCentralPA
When?
When should I explore Assistive Technology?
The best time to learn about Assistive Technology is now! You don’t know who may need the information later, so why not learn about it and help others? The next best time to learn about Assistive Technology is when you discover an area of your life where you find challenges holding you back. Why suffer needlessly, or miss out on activities, when an AT device could help you live your life to the fullest now? If you aren’t sure about the ways that Assistive Technology could help you or your loved one, you might want to seek out an evaluation from a specialist or contact the local Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) for a device demonstration. Specialists in the field of assistive technology or with knowledge of various devices can help you discover specific tools or devices which may enable you or your loved one to complete day-to-day activities more easily.
Why?
Why should I explore Assistive Technology?
The real question should be, why not? There are numerous reasons to learn more about Assistive Technology. If you have aging parents, grandparents, family members or friends, it would be good to familiarize yourself with some of the items they may need to use in the future. If you work in retail, you may want to learn more about how you can use Assistive Technology to ensure that all customers can be helped, regardless of their disability. If you are a manager, you might want to learn more about Assistive Technology to ensure you are helping your employees achieve their goals. The list of pros for learning more about Assistive Technology goes on and on.
In our culture, the term disability has taken on a negative connotation. Many people refuse to use Assistive Technology because they refuse to admit they have any type of disability. However, the CDC states that approximately 1 in 4 adults in the US have some type of disability, so even if you don’t have a disability, most likely you do know someone who does! If more people accept their disabilities and allow themselves to use the Assistive Technology necessary for them to live to their highest potential, then there will be less stigma surrounding the idea of disability. By learning about and using Assistive Technology, you can help yourself, your loved ones, and the disability community as a whole!
