Wednesday 11 May 2011

Tutorial Eight: Assistive technology

In this tutorial I will be talking about Assistive technology.  I will also in this tutorial present a piece of Assistive equipment.  


Firstly to define Assitive technology.  Assistive technology is defined by the NOAA (n.d.) as 
"Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities".


In short, Assistive technology - is any electronic device that assists a person with activities of daily living, for example, a voice activated computer for those visually impaired, which can be used for multiple purposes such as to participate in work or education.  


I will discuss one piece of equipment used for assistive technology called 'Talking tins'.  Talking tins give you the ability to record and then play; there are 2 talking tins to choice from, one has the ability to play for 10 seconds and the other for 40 seconds (Talking Products Ltd, 2007). 


Talking tins are used for those with a visual impairment, you place the talking tin which is shaped as below on top of many household items, for example, food cans, jars, containers, bottle (Talking Products Ltd, 2007); for the visually impaired talking tins makes identifying what the item is easier (Talking Products Ltd, 2007).


Talking tins are also useful for educational purposes for children of all ages, to help in developing speaking and listening skills (Talking Products Ltd, 2007).   


                                          Talking Tins for Audible Guidance
                                            (Talking Products Ltd [Image], 2007)



The size of the talking tin is 79mm Diameter x 22mm (Talking Products Ltd, 2007).  Talking tins can be purchased online at http://www.talkingproducts.co.uk/cart/talking-tins-accessories-632-0.html, the price varies from 4 pounds (approx $8.25 New Zealand dollars) to 5.50 pounds  (approx $11.34 New Zealand dollars).  There are a number of accessories and package deals available.


Further information can be found on the talking tins website http://www.talkingproducts.co.uk/talking_tins_visual_impairment.htm


For component two of this assignment: Technology Application Report, I will be using a different technology device.


References
NOAA. (n.d.). Glossary of Section 508 Terms. Retrieved April 7, 2011, from http://www.cio.noaa.gov/Policy_Programs//508_Glossary.html

Talking Products Ltd. (2007). Talking Tins - Visual Impairment. Retrieved April 7, 2011, from http://www.talkingproducts.co.uk/talking_tins_visual_impairment.htm