Tutorial Eight: Assistive Technology

I have converted to Wikipedia for a definition of assistive technology.

Assistive technology or adaptive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.

According to the United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998, assistive technology (also called adaptive technology ) refers to any "product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

Assistive technologies help people with disabilities get around more easily, communicate better, live more independently and become more active in their communities.

For one of our classes we were given the opportunity to have a play with many different types of assistive technologies.

One type of equipment that I am going to introduce to you is the Jelly Bean switch.

Jelly bean switches come in a range of colours and are priced at $87 each, however this may vary. It has a diameter of 65mm (2.5”), provides audible feedback so user can hear a cause-effect has been made, and a standard 6ft cord with a 3.5mm jack. Suitable for those that can access a smaller target area. Here is a website where many assitive technologies can be purchased.

By having a switch the user is able to communicate with others, play interactive games and things like that.

Here is a website that gives you a little more insight into switches and assistive technology.

This website is also very helpful. 

Just for variety here is another site...

This Youtube video gives you an idea of how a switch can be used.

Tutorial Seven: Linking to blogs of interest and exchanging comments

In class today we were given a task of finding five blogs that relate to OT. There is a list located somewhere on my blog.


We were also asked to comment on someones blog. Here is the blog I chose to comment on..

Tutorial Six: The internet and online communities

For this tutorial we have been asked to choose a topic of interest and find three online communities relating to this. The topic I have chosen is depression.  

The first site I have found is called depressiontribe http://www.depressiontribe.com/ 

This site is named as it is 'because it takes a tribe...' it is a free depression support community where you can create, connect and share.

Information about depression is also available. You are able to connect with others through groups, forums, and blogs. 

Another site is depression understood http://www.depression-understood.org/
Depression and other mood related health issues can appear to be very isolating and lonely experiences. Accordingly, one of the main objectives of this website is to connect people that experience such feelings, and offer a place where people can share their thoughts. This site includes many different ways in which we hope we help to connect people. You can interact and get to know others via the main depression Chat Rooms, Forums, Blogs and Media Gallery sections.

And the last site is health central http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/support-groups.html 

This site believes that health is more than just medicine - it's about living the best way you can and helping others do the same. Here you can share your story on this site which means joining a larger conversation between experts, patients, caregivers, and other individuals.  

There is also an app. called SharePosts making it easy to share your story, post a question, or make recommendations. Whether it is a regular update on your life story or a single, simple tip that may help someone get through the day, SharePosts are your way to join the conversation.

Here is a forum post by someone who currently has depression. She wrote telling her story and said that she is finding it hard. The Moderator of the site even replied to this post offering advice about who she could see and letting her know about the chat rooms set up. Other people have offered advice about what has helped them.

Ethical issues

Well potential issues that may arise could be the lack of identify of users and accountability for what is said, misuse, who has access to it, who sustains and manages the community and amount of information shared etc.

These online communities provide benefits in that they give information, instant connections, and have the ability to connect with people who share the same needs, concerns and interests etc, there is no cost involved (such as having to travel) and can provide information, support, and entertainment. 

What can these online communities lack or not offer that traditional communities can? . Face-to-face interaction, its just not the same really. Online communities are generally not as connective as the real world. Misunderstandings are easily made. 

Tutorial Five: Video Production Sessions

I finally bring you tutorial five!


We have been asked to provide a brief summary of services offered by youtube.

So what is Youtube? It is a videosharing website.  Here people are able to upload, share, and view videos.  Things such as music videos, tv clips, movie clips, and even films made in class.

For this turorial we have been asked to choose a topic of interest from fieldwork, OT practice area or a personal occupation. I have chosen a personal occupation. I like art. Whether it be through enjoying what others have created or actively doing art myself, such as drawing.  It has been a bit of a challenge to find 5 different videos that look at art as it is a very broad topic. I’v tried to focus more on drawing. There are a few different types..

Although im not really into the history of art i decided i would put a video in there. It covers it all quite nicely and in good time too! 

This video looks at what you will need when doing a pencil drawing.

The video looks at drawing with coloured pencils. From it you can get the idea of how many different colours you need to form a pictue. Its so pretty! 

This one is a drawing made mostly by charcoal a different tool to draw with. You can see the way in which this artist forms her piece from 2D to 3D

This video looks at pen and ink and the techniques used 

This one is not really drawing  but i really love this artist (who I have only just discovered!) She paints with amazing colur. It tells you all about her and her work etc. Enjoy :)

Tutorial Four: Video Production Session prt1

While in class the other day we were given a chance to play with tripods and video cameras! We had been set a task of producing a 30 second short film, ours was a wee bit longer than this.... We, my small group and I, decided on our scenes by using the old fashioned storyboarding. We did not write a script as such but discussed what the major aim of the film was (overcoming adversity), chose a lead character, discovered a beginning, middle and end to our plot. We also took into consideration basic lighting.

I’ll leave this with you to figure out

Enjoy!

Tutorial Two: Digital Imaging

Digital images can be stored on our computers, internet sites such as Facebook, CDs/DVDs USB storage devices and even cell phones. We can share photos through emails or online interactions such a Facebook or blogs. A common way to manipulate photos is through Photoshop. This is done by using precision Photoshop tools to paint, clone, animate, and add text etc.,Photoshop helps you set scenes. However there are becoming may more programmes and internet sites available to do this. 

Here is a wee article/website that addresses how picture/visual aids can be used.

This is a great site all about digital cameras. 

Film Vs. Digital

Digital cameras are great in that they allow you to take a number of photos until you get the shot you want. They are versatile, being able to delete unwanted shots freely. There are also tools that allow for editing an image after it has been taken. These days you are able to print the photos you wish rather than the entire collection. 

The ease of access is great. We can so easily download our photos on to our computers and store them there, this also allows for easy sharing. For example, email or internet facilities (Facebook). There is none of this mucking around and going into a shop. However, I think we do rely a lot on our computers to ‘look after’ our images when technology does fail they could easily crash or even get stolen. Then where are those photos? Maybe those old negatives are better in the sense that we will always have copy. 
I am unsure of which i prefer but then again i have never had the opportunity of playing with those traditional cameras. 
I have found a blog where the guy that is behind it puts his view, as a photographer, on film vs digital.

Ethical issues

Again, there are ethical issues. When it comes to photographs, privacy and confidentiality can be disrespected. Posting of photos without the permission of the person’s in them allowing a wide range of viewers to access these. Although there are privacy settings available that restrict ease of access there is an inability to control what happens to a photo once it is stored on the Net. There is also the issues that arise with where and of who you can take photos of. What about who owns a photo? This could easily be confused once it is put on the internet. For example, a site such as flickr where photos that are accessible to the public can be used freely. 

OT and digital cameras

The use of digital cameras depends the setting. At my fieldwork two setting cameras were used to record group outings with clients. Clients were then given the opportunity to develop these photos and then display them for others to see.  

Digital cameras can be used to engage clients in meaningful activities and can help clients become involved in other activities. For example, going out for a walk could become more appealing to a client if they were encouraged to bring their camera along and take photos, being that a client enjoys photography. Photography also provides the opportunity to develop computer skills being able to edit photos taken. Finished photos can then be bought together to make things such as collages or scrapbooks.

Tutorial One: Information technology and ethical issues

This is my first 'official' post. It has taken a long, long time to put it up but here it is. Its a long one...


In class we had discussion around information technology (IT). The Collins Dictionary online describes Information technology as “the production, storage and communication of information using computers and electronic technology.”

As stated above, I think information technology is a means of storing information. We can store photos, videos, word documents, and even emails. Through the web we are able to communicate/connect and share with others from everywhere.

This form of technology is common in our society; many people are using it in their everyday lives. Technology is rapidly evolving with new and improved gadgets being made everyday. To keep up with the latest gadgets would be very costly. In schools the use of white and black boards is becoming scarce. Instead ‘smart boards’ are becoming more popular. In some schools children are also required to purchase a Mac book as part of their stationary. Also, with the use of blended learning there is an increasing ‘need to know’ about technology in order to survive and strive today. It is common in most families to own a computer. The internet is becoming full of endless information (a rather scary thought…)

Here is a youtube video that looks at technology and society today:

When it comes to me and IT, I generally only know enough to get my by. I feel comfortable in using basic computer programmes, digital cameras, i-pods/mp3s, TV/DVD etc, Facebook, emailing, Google and cell phones. These are things I generally use everyday so I have had to understand how they work, becoming familiar with them and therefore comfortable in using them. 

I am currently undecided on how I feel about technology, like everything, it has its good and not so good points. But I do know that technology is becoming more essential today so I will continue to keep up with what I can.

On my first placement, IT was used to type reports, store information and help to organise a week. The internet was used for such things as email in order to communicate with other therapist, management, other professionals and sometimes clients (depending on the setting). Information regarding the setting or specific medical conditions can also be accessed via the internet. Cell phones and/or telephones were commonly used to communicate with supervisors and other health professionals.

On my second placement IT was used in much the same way. However, clients also used computers to access games and educational software.

Here is an article that looks at IT and occupational therapy. It has a lot of useful information that is worth a read (and saves me lots of typing!)

Having a great understanding of IT will be beneficial to know about for practice as technology is becoming a thing of the future. It can be used as a way in which we can engage client's in meaningful occupation. The times are definitely changing, what was meaningful way back when is not necessarily meaningful today. However, this will depend entirely on the individual. 
Have an understanding of IT may help us in interacting with clients as this may be an area of interest to them. 

Ethics

There are always ethical issues that will arise with technology. Some of these may include the way technology and the internet allows the copying of other people's 'property' to be done so easily, blurring who it truly belongs to. The privacy of others can be violated (even your own privacy), sharing too much information in a place were it can be accessed freely.   

To finish of my post here are some definitions around information technology...

Intellectual Property

According to Ministry of Economic Development “Intellectual property (IP) is an umbrella term used for human innovations and creativity that are capable of being protected under national law and international treaties.”

Basically, who has ownership of something that has been 'created'. Those who use this 'creation' must then do so with acknowledgment of the owner.  


Here are a couple of articles that address intellectual property in OT practice. 

 Social Justice 

The Business Dictionary online defines social justice as "Fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice."

Social justice is concerned with equal justice in all aspects of society. This concept demands that people have equal rights and opportunities; everyone, from the poorest person to the wealthiest, deserve an even playing field.  

Clients should get the therapy they need, no more and no less. I guess its just providing the best possible interventions with clients and being smart about the use of IT in our interventions. Is it going to give equal opportunities, equal treatment and equal distribution?

Informed Consent

Informed consent is a concept in the medical community which supports the idea that patients should be fully informed at all stages of medical treatment and medical trials. There are two aspects to informed consent: a conversation with a care provider or researcher, and a form which must be signed to indicate that the conversation has occurred. Informed consent is a very important part of modern medical practice and research, and it is designed to protect both patients and doctors. (wisegeek.com)

Clients/patients have the right to be told everything about their health and the care they are receiving. Whatever procedure is going to be undertaken an informed consent or agreement is needed.

Say you're wanting to, as an OT, record or undertake research involving a client. A full and clear explanation will be given around what it is about, what it will be used for, who will see/access it and what will happen to the information after it has completed its use. It is just the same if a video recording of a client's progress is taken or even photographs. 


Thanks for reading, I do hope you have enjoyed this rather long post!