Assistive Technology Articles

Technology: Becoming an Informed Consumer
http://www.nichcy.org/InformationResources/Documents/NICHCY%20PUBS/nd13.pdf

This article talks about the importance of being educated and informed by the consumers in buying and using different types of assistive technologies. The article provides a brief history of how assistive technology has made a difference and to whom and where has evolved. The article goes on to tell how legislation was passed with a growing interest of assistive technology and how utilizing it may enhance the lives of those with disabilities. The article suggests that we should not just get excited about using technology, but we also need to know how to use such technology to enhance our way of life. The articles warned the public not to get overwhelmed with all the technologies available. They should be guided in choosing the technology that would best suit their needs.

AT Products Benefit People with Autism
http://www.atechnews.com/images/AT_Products_Benefit_People_with_Autism.doc
This article is about how assistive technology products made a huge impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities. The article provides description of what autism is and what and how it affects those who are diagnosed. The author shared living examples on how assistive technology helps children with autism progressed. The article include interviews with company representatives and developers who have created the programs and software discussed in this story. The programmers and researchers alike admitted that it is quite a challenge to create programs that will serve the needs of all people with autism. However, it is an accomplishment to be able to create something that can change the lives of many.

Does Assistive Technology Substitute for Personal Assistance Among the Disabled Elderly?
http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/93/2/330
This article talks about how assistive technology moved the lives of not only individuals with disabilities, but also of our growing numbers of elderly who due to age and injuries are having difficulty in their lives. According to the article, a study was conducted from a group of 2300 people who have at least one limitation. They conducted the research in a care facility in which they monitored the abilities to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL) with the aid of either personal assistance or assistive technology assistance. With the research, they concluded that assistive technology impacted the lives of many elderly especially the disabled ones to be able to live as normal as possible. Those who want to live independently were given a chance to do so with the help of assistive technology. Assistive technology is the in thing now.




Pre-school Age Exercises Can Prevent Dyslexia, New Research Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080821110412.htm

According to the research conducted a study involving with 107 children whose parents have history of dyslexia and another controlled group of children whose parents have no history of dyslexia. The development of the children was monitored by the researchers from birth until they reached school age. Half of those children whose parents have history of dyslexia were found to have difficulty in reading and writing compared to those of the control group. It is quite challenging to teach children with dyslexia how to read and write at all. The article suggested the use of computer games to aid learning. A computer game-like learning environment is developed by the CoE in learning and Motivation Research to aid preventive training, and is available online with no charge at all. With repeated trainings or frequent use of this computer game-like environment children’s learning improves. With the help of the funding from the Ministry of Education, and a joint effort with researchers from Niilo Maki institute and the researchers from the CoE are working together to come up with more game-like exercises and tools that can help identify risks and can detect learning disabilities. This computer game-like environment is more effective compare to the traditional educational games.


Technology to Improve Learning for Visually Impaired Children
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/42432.php

The article talks about using technology to help improve learning amongst children who are visually impaired. They are thinking of using on how to use different senses to try replacing missing visual capabilities. Hap tic technology
the sense of touch of the user is being used in hap tic technology. MICOLE's software architecture and applications help individuals with disability to use their hearing and touch to complement different levels of their visual disability. The article talks about how studies were conducted to learn more about visually impaired children and to learn more about their disabilities and on how to be of help to them. There is more studies conducted to determine the services and products that can promote learning amongst children with disabilities.