Carrie Clawson, OTR/L, ATP AT Specialist, VA DARS Brad Miles
Rehab Engineer, VA DBVI
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Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, or
product system whether acquired off the shelf, modified, or
customized that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional
capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Public Law 108-364
Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as amended 2004 Definition
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Assistive technology is a tool used by an individual with a
disability to complete a work task or job function.
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Rehab Engineering
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Headset Voice Recognition Software Trackball
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Large Keyboards Track ball mouse Typing Aid Word Prediction
software (Word Q) Speech Recognition Software (Dragon Naturally
Speaking) Accessibility Options Sticky Keys Filter Keys On Screen
Keyboard Speech Recognition
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Version 12 in 2012 Premium edition often used by people with
fine motor impairments; Home edition for those with some ability to
type/use mouse Complicated; requires the ability to learn commands
Can be frustrating More robust voice profiles mean less training
out of the box
Text to speech Facilitates reading fluency, but not
comprehension Useful for people with print or visual disabilities
Supports study skills Natural Reader and Read Please have less
features, can be downloaded free www.naturalreaders.com
www.readplease.com
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Canes Walkers A chair or stool for resting Scooters
wheelchairs
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Telephone amplification Closed Captioning
Accessibility/Universal Access options for visual alerts and
captions * VDDHH, Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing a good resource
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Voice recorder Livescribe Smartpen Smartphone/PDA
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Needs assessment Psychosocial factors Sensorimotor skills
Vision Motor skills: strength, range of motion, fine motor
Sensation: light touch/deep pressure, proprioception Cognitive
abilities Caregiver support Environment of usage vendor support
Training available
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Poor fit (no comprehensive assessment) Inexperience with
AT/insufficient training in use Family/caregiver/employer not
buying into use or sabotages AT Limited motivation to use AT (Not
comfortable with tech, doesnt like AT) Limited motivation to
achieve goal WITHOUT AT
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Carrie Clawson [email protected] 703-539-9454
Brad Miles [email protected] nia.gov 703-359-1108 DARS
703-359-1124 Department for Aging and Rehabilitation Services
(DARS) 703-359-1124 Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
(DBVI) 703-359-1100