Elizabeths AT Blog

This study describes the core concepts of the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model and discusses its development over three successful versions. It states that the HAAT model is one of the earliest models of AT and is an important framework within the field. After investigating the HAAT model, the researchers concluded that it is highly relevant and applicable for occupational therapists; occupational therapists can use the HAAT model as a conceptual guide during clinical practice.

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Graphic designer Christian Boer, who has presented at numerous TED conferences, created a font called Dyslexie. The letters of the Dyslexie font are designed so people’s brains cannot flip or twist them. Dyslexie uses slanted letters, letters that are bolder at the base, larger capital letters, and bigger spaces between words. It is available for users to download to their Macs or PCs. Recently, we discussed an iPad application that enables users to set OpenDyslexic as their default font when they are browsing on the Internet. Finding a font or strategy that enables students with dyslexia to read easier is essential because students read to learn, meaning they cannot succeed academically if they cannot read. Fonts like Dyslexie are not only important because they make reading easier, but they also enable students with dyslexia to feel equal to their peers inside the classroom.

ChatAble is an alternative augmentative communication (AAC) application that uses symbols and scenes to support communication. It enables individuals with speech and language difficulties (diagnoses such as autism, aphasia, & cerebral palsy) to use photographs or symbol based grids to communicate with friends, family, classmates, colleagues, etc. ChatAble contains additional features such as text-to-speech, on-board switch scanning, and GPS tagging. Occupational therapists can use this iPad application to create page sets for clients within minutes. ChatAble is available for $99.99 on iTunes; educational institutions can receive a 50% educational discount. ChatAble takes AAC to a new level!

Shortcut is a digital wristband that is an add-on for a myoelectric prosthesis. It translates hand gestures that most amputees can still recall into a wireless computer control. These gestures enable users to perform standard mouse functions such as cursor movement, left and right click, scroll, and zoom. Since computer mice and keyboards are difficult to control with a prosthetic hand, shortcut is a viable option for amputees. Occupational therapists should consider recommending this product to their clients. Shortcut can help occupational therapy clients with a myoelectric prosthesis to access computers easily and perform computing tasks with both hands.

iBrailler Notes is an iPad application that enables individuals with visual impairment to type documents and notes using an alternative keyboard. The keyboard is calibrated when the user places his or her fingers on the iPad screen; iBrailler draws the keyboard keys around each finger. The keyboard uses braille English grade 1 & 2 and six-dot computer braille. Occupational therapists can recommend this application to clients who are blind, especially those who are students. This keyboard application enables students who are visually impaired to type quickly and not stand out among their peers in the classroom. This application is revolutionizing touchscreen technology.

This YouTube video shows students experimenting with low-tech assistive devices in their classroom. Many of the devices shown are used to help individuals perform ADLs. In the video, there are four stations: cutting/writing/turning, grooming (ADL), feeding/meal preparation (ADL/IADL), and walking. The students demonstrate how to use numerous assistive devices that I have never seen before. This is an excellent resource for occupational therapy students to learn more about AT for ADLs and a good video that occupational therapists can utilize to show clients what devices are available and how to operate them.

This article focused on a company named Open Style Lab. The mission of Open Style Lab is “to make style accessible to people of all abilities.” To achieve this mission, Open Style Lab conducted a ten-week research program to create functional yet stylish adaptive clothes for individuals with disabilities. The 2016 program was comprised of twelve participants who were divided into four teams. Each team consisted of a designer, an engineer, and an occupational therapist. Their goal was to create a garment that uses technology effectively and meets their client’s needs.

Adaptive clothing is nothing new. However, clothing for individuals with disabilities is often functional, but not fashionable or trendy. Unfortunately, even if occupational therapists choose the most helpful adaptive clothing for their clients, their clients will not wear clothes that do not look great. Maura Horton, a professional designer, stated, “The greater need besides being able to dress independently is being able to look like everyone else or look how you want to look.” As occupational therapy students, we must remember these lessons when interacting with clients. The information in this article is valuable because it demonstrates how wearable technology is evolving and how occupational therapists can play a prominent role in stylish adaptive design.

The SymTrend ADL app (which is predominately used by parents to track their children) permits users to record important information about ADLs. It uses health logs and checklists to manage behaviors and set alarms for various activities. This app can also track stressors and tantrums. SymTrend ADL enables occupational therapists to track specific ADLs and discover how children respond and engage in different contexts. It will alert the occupational therapist to which contexts are the best for therapy sessions and which contexts provoke the child. This app can also be used to determine the effectiveness of interventions.