2nd Article Notes

What Should We Expect of Assistive Technology? By: Phil Parette, Gale A. McMahan

Assistive Technology includes:
simple communication boards and wallets
sophisticated electronic communication devices.
mobility aids, such as long canes and powered wheelchairs
Expanded or adapted keyboards, touch windows, and speech recognition systems.
Magnification devices and computer screen reading adaptations.

Some families believe it takes too long to learn how to use.
Some have to attend workshops to learn to use the device properly.
Large time commitment required for some technology.

Transportation of device can also be a problem depending on space for the family.

Culture and linguistic background are very important considerations when implementing technology in the home setting.
Professionals have different views and goals then the family in a lot of cases.
If the family is not taken into full consideration, then the technology will most likely never be successful with the child.
The AT team needs to know what the parents want the child to be able to accomplish.
Are these parents working for their child to be completely independent or are they encouraging dependence?
There is also the religious aspect of special needs and how some families believe that the child's condition is a curse from God.
How much family support there is needs to be factored in as well.
Many large families assume that the child will be taken care of for their entire lifetime by someone within their family.
How the family wants the child to be accepted socially is also a large factor.
Many families feel like it draws too much unwanted attention and stares from people.
They do not like the label that the technology attracts.
This is especially prevalent with families already trying to overcome minority status in the community.
Expectations also need to be addressed.
What are going to be the immediate benefits?
What will be the struggles?
How will the child progress?
Families with Asian cultural backgrounds often expect to see immediate results.
Frustration may cause the families to want to give up on the technology.
Unmet expectations may do the same as well.

I also spent some time tonight looking up assistive technology and their prices. Some technology was even available for computer by free downloads. Then I found voice communication for 540 dollars. There is a wide range depending on the need, new factor, and cutting edge technology.

(1hr 25min)