Overcoming challenges with the help of assistive technology

Did you know? One in four Americans has some type of disability, including millions who struggle with speech or hearing. New types of assistive technology can help those with disabilities overcome some of the challenges of daily life.

May is recognized as Better Speech and Hearing Month. It’s a time to acknowledge that many people around us have difficulties with the speech, communication and hearing that’s part of our everyday lives.

In the past, there were few accommodations available to help people with disabilities manage the tasks of everyday life. Today, assistive technology helps people overcome challenges with new and innovative solutions.

Read on as we shine a light on different types of assistive technology available both in the community and through our inpatient rehabilitation program at Touro.

What is assistive technology?

If you’re wondering what “assistive technology” actually is, you aren’t alone. Unless you’re in need of this advanced technology, you may not have a good understanding of what it includes.

The Assistive Technology Industry Association defines assistive technology as “any item, piece of equipment, software program or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.”

There’s one part that can be a little confusing—while technology is part of the name, assistive devices aren’t always high tech. In fact, many devices used to help those who are blind or visually impaired are quite simple, often involving variations in texture on paper or fabric.

Here’s a simple way to understand it: Assistive technology includes any type of medical device that helps a person with a disability complete a task or overcome other challenges of everyday life or work.

How this technology helps

Each type of assistive technology works in a unique way. As researchers take a closer look at the challenges that those with disabilities face, they find new ways to overcome those challenges. In the last few years alone, that has led to an incredible array of products.

The question of how the technology helps is specific to the individual device or piece of technology. Consider a few scenarios:

• A child with a disability who can’t press the buttons on a computer or tablet can benefit from a specialized type of device that relies on eye gaze for accessing computers or a computer that uses voice recognition for access.
• Those who are blind or visually impaired can use specialized equipment that reads text aloud.
• People with disabilities that impact their ability to speak can use devices that promote augmentative and alternative communication to communicate in other ways, such as pointing, writing, gesturing, seeing or even drawing.

The possibilities are truly endless! Every day, new technologies are being created to provide out-of-the-box solutions to the challenges so many Americans face.

Millions of people stand to benefit. While many people are born with disabilities, others develop them at a later point in life due to an illness or injury. Someone who had a stroke, for example, may face an inability to communicate via speech, at least temporarily. Used alongside rehabilitation, assistive technology can help that person adapt to new ways to communicate, even in the short-term. After all, no one wants to be left without a voice.

In many cases, people with disabilities have limited access to try out the different types of assistive technology. At Touro, through a partnership with Team Gleason, we offer patients in our inpatient rehabilitation program access to a wide range of these devices to help them gain an understanding of what may help them most as they move forward in life.

At Touro, we’re committed to providing exceptional care to every person, every day. Learn more about the wide range of assistive technology available through our inpatient rehabilitation program.