Communication &

Assistive Technology

Easy English Version

Contents

What is Assistive Technology? 2What is Communication Technology? 6About our Independent Living Centre 8About borrowing 9What is the Yooralla Library? 10What is the Electronic Communication Devices Scheme? 11Learning how to use tools 12How to visit the ILC 13Meanings of words 16

Communication and Assistive Technology | 1

You can find out the

meaning of hard words at the end of

this sheet.

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology means tools that

can help you

with daily life

and

to do things for yourself.

These tools can help you

talk to people

get around

use the bathroom

eat

and

more.

Communication and Assistive Technology | 2

These tools can be

technology

or

equipment.

Technology means things like

computers

tablets

smartphones

and

Apps.

Technology can help you

learn new skills

talk to people

and

be more independent.

Communication and Assistive Technology | 3

Equipment means things like

wheelchairs

walkers

ramps

and

hoists.

Equipment can help you to

move around

and

do daily tasks. For example

o eat

or

o have a shower.

Communication and Assistive Technology | 4

Yooralla has tools that can

help

people with disability

older people

and

carers.

What is Communication

Technology?

Communication Technology means tools

that help you to

talk to people

and

tell people what you think.

Communication and Assistive Technology | 5

Communication Technology can

help you

use a computer

talk through a tool that uses

o words

o words that are spoken for you

by a computer

or

o Images.

Yooralla can help you find the best tool for

your needs.

Communication and Assistive Technology | 6

About our Independent Living

Centre

Yooralla’s Independent Living Centre is a

place where you can

look at the different types of tools

and

get information about them.

The Independent Living Centre is also

called the ILC.

At the ILC you can also

try the tools

and

borrow the tools.

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About borrowing

Borrowing means to take the tools home

for a short time then bring them back. This

is so you can try the tools to see if they

work for you.

You can borrow tools that can help you

speak

tell people what you think

move around

be independent

go to the toilet

get into bed

get in a car

and

more.

The ILC does not sell tools.

Communication and Assistive Technology | 8

What is the Yooralla

Library?

Yooralla has a library about

technology

and

equipment.

At the library you can learn about

new technology

new equipment

your rights

and

more.

Communication and Assistive Technology | 9

What is the Electronic

Communication Devices Scheme?

The Electronic Communication Devices

Scheme is money from the government that

can help you pay for tools. It is also called

the ECDS.

The ECDS can help pay for

tools that help you talk

Apps

and

more.

You can find out if you can use the ECDS

Go to www.yooralla.com.au/ecds

Communication and Assistive Technology | 10

Learning how to use tools

Yooralla can teach people how to use

technology

and

equipment.

We can teach people who

work with people with disability

and

care for people with disability.

You can find out more about this

Go to www.yooralla.com.au/ilced

Communication and Assistive Technology | 11

How to visit an ILC

Yooralla has two Independent Living

Centres. They are in

Braybrook

and

Blackburn.

ILC Braybrook is at

C1, Central West Shopping Centre

67 Ashley Street

Braybrook VIC 3019

ILC Braybrook is open

Monday to Friday

From 9.00am until 4.30pm

ILC Blackburn is at

54 Railway Road

Blackburn VIC 3130

Communication and Assistive Technology | 12

ILC Blackburn is open

Tuesday to Thursday

9.00am until 4.30pm

You need to make an appointment

to visit ILC Blackburn.

You can visit the ILC

by yourself

or

make a time to meet one of our staff who

can help you.

To make a time

Phone 1300 885 886

if you are in Victoria.

03 9362 6111

if you are not in Victoria.

Communication and Assistive Technology | 13

If you have a hearing

impairment you can

use the National Relay Service

Phone 03 9687 0301

Email ilc@yooralla.com.au

Communication and Assistive Technology | 14

Meanings of Words

Tablet A small computer that you

hold in your hand. You use your fingers to

type on the screen. You can use Apps on

it.

Smart phone A mobile phone that works like a computer.

You use your fingers to type on the screen.

You can use the internet on it. You can use

Apps on it.

App Programs that you can put on your tablet or

smart phone. Apps can help you learn and

do things. For example, there are Apps to

help you read.

Hearing impairment People who have a hearing impairment find

it hard to hear.

Communication and Assistive Technology | 15

The Easy English on this sheet

was written by Yooralla. February 2016.

www.yooralla.com.au

Images in this sheet are from

Photosymbols.

www.photosymbols.com

Open Clip Art. www.openclipart.org

Communication and Assistive Technology | 16