Assistive Technology 101 – What does it mean?

Assistive Technology is one of the areas that #TechCoachHQ is going to be focusing on as one of our niche offerings. It’s something we have been doing for the past four years; first working with Critical Agendas to run workshops and day programs and, more recently through schools and educational providers.

What is Assistive Technology?

The definition of ‘Assistive Technology’ (Simplified); this can either be a device or a system that helps individuals participate fully in day-to-day activities. Often there can be three categories:

• Low Tech (which is actually no technology at all)

1. 1. These are simple solutions
   2. Little maintenance (i.e. DIY)
   3. No training required to support individuals (parents/caregivers/educators/individuals) don’t need to access external support
   4. Often no electronics (paper-based solutions) or physical products that don’t require #Tech

Mid-Tech (a little bit more involved)

1. 1. Some maintenance
   2. There might need to be some training provided (i.e. from the suppliers website, YouTube or an #AssistiveTech Provider/Supplier/Trainer/Coach
   3. There can be some electronics involved

• High Tech (definitely will need help on this level)

1. 1. High Maintenance (you might need to regularly upgrade these products due to wear and tear or just to maintain the technology such as #updates)
   2. You can’t use this system or device without training (otherwise you won’t get the full benefit and the individual who needs it won’t be getting the full advantages)
   3. Lots of electronics – there are more devices on the mark that are #hightech and do more than one job (which means cheaper overall) and more on the market (i.e. competition).

Tip: Just because you need to access some of these tools, look at #apps that are used for everyday use. Sometimes when you put the word #assistivetech in front, prices can jump a lot! This is especially the case with iOS apps.

So, we have got that sorted – we will be expanding this blog series:

1. #How to use Assistive Tech (under lots of categories such as #Dyslexia, #Dyspraxia, #Dyscalculia, #Dysgraphia, #ExecutiveFunctioning, #ASD (otherwise known as Autism Spectrum Disorder) and #ADD/ADHD. Yes, these are specific conditions that affect both students (those who are studying in some capacity) but also adults as well.
2. The other topic we will be presenting is how to use #assistivetech if you have an injury such as broken fingers, arm, wrist and conditions such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

My story using #AssistiveTechnology:

I have a personal story on using #assistive technology while I was at the University of Melbourne. Not only did I work at the Disability Liaison Unit as a Research Assistant (helping students that were visually impaired around campus, helping with research, reading articles onto a dictaphone (and some very interesting topics such as criminal psychology amongst other things).

I also needed to use their services myself requiring software such as Dragon Dictation and a few other adaptive tools to help while studying. It gave me a greater appreciation for things such as Voice to Text. (Dragon Dictation has come a long way since when I was using it).

So excited about this journey as an #AssistiveTechCoach – doing what I love which is #DigitalCoaching. It matches our vision statement: To realise your potential, one #byte at a time.  

From the #DigitalCoach at #TechCoachHQ. Check out our social media platforms which will be sharing some of this content and related articles around #assistivetech.