Tutorial Seven: Assistive Technology

In tutorial seven we looked at a range of different assistive technology including computer devices - keyboards and mice, buttons used for questioning and answering for those who are non verbal and switches that can be used for a range of house hold items such as turning on and off food processes and heaters.

Assistive technology refers to a wide range of devices, services, strategies, and practices that are used to decrease the problems people with a disability have with doing daily tasks and leisure activities (Cook & Hussey, 2000).

One peice of equipment that we looked at in the tutorial was the matias 508 keyboard. This is a standard keyboard that allows one or two handed touch typing. Using the space bay gives access to alternate keys that mirror the other hald of a standard keyboard. The occupant presses the spacebar once for one handed typing and twice for two handed typing.

The size of the keyboard is the same as a standard keyboard which is approximitly 461 x 154.7 x 19.3mm

The cost for the matias keyboard is around $280.00

The keyboard is appropriate for those who have a single hand amputee and/or a motor disability on one side.

A person that uses this keyboard only needs one hand to type and both left and right haned use is avaliable with the keyboard. A key feacture of the keyboard is that a person using the keyboard does not need to get there hand over the whole keyboard which increases spead and decreases fatigue.

The keyboard can be found at http://www.star-educational.co.nz/view_details.php?detail=true&cat=35&subcat=&id=97

A useful site for finding other assistive technology is:
http://www.star-educational.co.nz/

Reference:

Cook, A.M., & Hussey, S.M. (2000). Assistive technologies: principles and practice. St Louis: Mosby.