Envisioning the capabilities of Manufacturing and Designing Assistive

Technology

By Sabrina Spillane

Learning Outcomes

• What is Assistive Technology• Assistive Technology Products & Services• AT Manufacturer Market in Europe• How AT works in Industry Now• Irish Manufacturer of AT• Categories of AT• Disadvantages, Advantages of AT• Getting the right product fits your needs

Assistive Technology (AT)

• “Assistive or Adaptive technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities or a person needing assistance in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. Assistive Technology is any item, whether purchased off the shelf, or customized, which enhances an individual’s independence.”– Assistive Technology Act of 1998

Assistive Technology Products

• “Assistive Technology products can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication, education, work or recreation activities, in essence, help them achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life.”– Assistive Technology Act of 1998

Assistive Technology Services

• “Assistive Technology Services support people with disabilities or their caregivers to help them select, acquire, or use adaptive devices. Such services include functional evaluations, training on devices, product demonstration, and equipment purchasing or leasing.”– Assistive Technology Act of 1998

AT Manufacturer Market in Europe

• 44.6 Million – 1 in 6 persons aged between 16 and 64 report a long standing health problems or disability in Europe

• 16% of the overall working age• Age 16 – 25 figure stands 7,3%• Age 65 and over is estimated to increase from

17.1% to 30.0%• Estimate rise in number from 84.6 Million

(2008) – 151.5 Million (2060)

How AT works in Industry Now

• A particular need is identified i.e. hearing loss• A specific essentially “homemade” solutions is

developed in response• The solution has a certain appeal to others

looking for similar functionality (through end-user support groups, education and training centres)

• A company is born based on solving a need, and not necessarily on the profitability parameters of the business model.

Irish Manufacturer of AT

• Jackson Technology 24 Kiltipper Avenue, Aylesbury, Dublin

• Diskovery l8 Lower Liffey Street, Dublin• textHELP Systems (previously Lorien Systems) textHELP!

® Systems Ltd. Enkalon Business Centre, 25 Randalstown Road, Antrim Co. Antrim BT41 4LJ N. Ireland

• Scientific Computer Systems Unit l Longmile Business Centre Longmile Road Dublin 12

• Award Systems 38 Pine Valley Park Grange Road Dublin 16

Categories of AT

• Communication Aids• Computer Access Aids• Daily Living Aids• Education and Learning

Aids• Environmental Aids• Vision and Reading Aids• Hearing and Listening

Aids

• Ergonomic Equipment• Mobility and

Transportation Aids• Prosthetics and

Orthotics• Recreation and Leisure

Aids• Seating and Positioning

Aids

Issues with AT

• AT products are expensive• Common theme - “The product I want is

unavailable”• AT products are hard to find• Difficult to find the right fit for my needs• It is expensive for trial and error• End Users have a limited number of solutions• Manufactures don’t want to change the

production line – too expensive, no market

Advantages of AT

• Large number of AT Products are available in Market some examples– Communication Aid Available– Visual and Reading Aids Available– Hearing & Listening Aids Available– Mobility & Transportation Aids Available

• Trail and Error to find the right product fit for your needs can reduce expense and time when using Electronic Assistive Technology Library

Communication Aids Available

• Large Button Telephone with digital answer machine

• Ring Flash Amp• Memo Minder• Voice Dialer• Step Pad

Vision and Reading Aids Available

• Desktop Top or Screen Magnifier

• Flip Automatic Page Turner

• Reading Pen• Text Reading Software• Over bed Table• Lifestyle – Large Game

Cards

Hearing and Listening Aids Available

• Telephone Amplifier• Flashing Door Bell• Under Pillow Vibrating

Travel Alarm Clock• Voice Output Alarm Clock• Voice Output Watch • Liquid Level Indicator• Voice Output

Thermometer• Voice Output Microwave

Seating/Positioning/Mobility and Transportation Aids Available

• Wheelchairs• Electric Powered

Wheelchairs• Powered Scooter• Electronic Ramps• Accessible Vehicles

The Right Fit for you

• Loan Library - Electronic Assistive Technology Library (EATL)• www.try-it.ie• Originally funded under The Enhancing Disability Services

Project (EDS)• Multi-Annual Investment Programme for Disability by the

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and managed by POBAL

• Established in 2007• Why - U.S. statistics indicate that up to 75% of AT is

abandoned

Partners of Electronic Assistive Technology Library

• The Health Services Executive • The National Rehabilitation Hospital• Enable Ireland National Assistive Technology

Training Service• The National Council for the Blind of Ireland

How it Works – Step by Step

1. Log in using your username & password (see right hand column).

2. Browse the catalogue (you can search by category or type in the device name).

3. Find required item.4. Add required item to your basket by clicking 'Add to Basket’

(you must be logged in to perform this function).5. Repeat 1-3 as required.6. Click ‘View Basket’ to complete your loan request.7. You will receive an email once your loan has been dispatched.The loan period is 4 weeks.

Location of Products on Market

• Assist Ireland. On-line database of AT productswww.assistireland.ie

• Abledata. Searchable database of AT and rehabilitation productswww.abledata.com

• Andrew’s Award Systemswww.awardsys.net Irish suppliers for REM early learning software who supply special needs software

• Ash Technologywww.ashtech.ie Ash Technology specializes in supplying assistive technology solutions for the visually impaired

INTERESTING

http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-lukas-bratcher

Video

POP QUIZ

POP QUIZ

• What % of the working age has disability?– 10%– 16%– 20%

• Name three categories of AT?– ______________________– ______________________– ______________________

POP QUIZ

• What does EATL stand for?– Enhanced Address Recognition Logic– Electronic Automatic Robotic Lighthouse– Electronic Assistive Technology Library

• When was EATL established?– 2006– 2007– 2008

Thank You