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Anna Faszcza "Difficulties allow us to change for the better." - Thomas S. Monson

If you have a disability, you surely face a vast number of barriers in everyday life. Depending on the type of disability, you might find it hard or even impossible to open the window, use the toilet, walk, watch a movie, or talk to other people. Some people may need assistance with these things. Assistive Technology, or AT, is the system and services that assist you, improve your life and return independencereturn independencereturn independence.

As disabilities are different, the required assistance also varies. It doesn’t matter how old you are and if you suffer from dementiadementiadementia or learning disorderslearning disorders [learning disorder]learning disorders, physical disabilities, or mental conditions, AT helps everyone. Imagine a situation when you are alone at home and it is getting hotter and hotter inside and you cannot move from the bed or chair. AT might help you open the window without moving your seat by installing a special device.

In schools, assistive technology can be essential in allowing students with disorders or disabilities to access the general education curriculum. For those struggling with learning disorders, such as dyslexiadyslexiadyslexia, electronic worksheets enable students to complete their school tasks due to options like text‑to‑speechtext‑to‑speechtext‑to‑speech. Furthermore, students with dyscalculiadyscalculiadyscalculia might be familiar withbe familiar withbe familiar with a voice calculatorvoice calculatorvoice calculator, which makes it easier to check tasks, read numbers and do calculationsdo calculationsdo calculations. Tools, such as automatic page turners, book holders, or adapted pencil gripsadapted pencil grips [adapted pencil grip]adapted pencil grips, help disabled students cope with school duties. In some countries, there are special education learning materials and individualised educational programmes for the disabled which are paid by the government when prescribed by the doctor as obligatory. There is much more to offer in the educational field. Educational software with its text readers, notetakers, text enlargerstext enlargers [text enlarger]text enlargers, or talking word processors, assist students with reading, comprehension, learning, and organisational difficulties.

Assistive technology provides great help to caregiverscaregivers [caregiver]caregivers who assist the patients with physical and mental disabilities, especially the elderly. Among the supportive devices, we can find sensor mats with alarms, wearable GPS tracking deviceswearable GPS tracking devicewearable GPS tracking devices, automated pill dispensersautomated pill dispenserautomated pill dispensers, universal big button TV remotes and many others. Not only do they help in everyday struggleseveryday struggleeveryday struggles but they also provide some peace and rest to caregivers. It means that both family and patients can take advantage oftake advantage oftake advantage of AT.

Undoubtedly, AT is beneficial forbeneficial forbeneficial for monitoring the health and safety of the patient. Everyone might purchase specific equipment which makes their lives easier. Moreover, devices, such as personal alarms or telecare, give a chance to react quickly in case of an emergencyin case of emergencyin case of an emergency. For example, when a person has a heart attack, a fast response can help save the patient’s life.

There are some cons, though. For some people, this technology might seem too complicated at first and, as a result, they may get confused and discouraged quickly. The price of devices leaves much to be desiredleaves much to be desired [leave much to be desired]leaves much to be desired for too many patients and not everybody is able to get them. It must be remembered that any device should be chosen carefully and prescribed by the doctor or other specialist in order to function and work most effectively. There’s no point choosingthere’s no point choosingThere’s no point choosing a cheaper equivalent as it may not be well‑fitted to our needs.

All in all, assistive technology aims to allow the disabled to participate inparticipate inparticipate in every aspect of life, including home, school, work, or community. Due to AT, reliance on carereliance on carereliance on care is reduced, and so the greater independence of people can be achieved. This way, people will gain more peace of mind, self‑confidence and consequently, they start to develop social lives by participating in events.

1 Źródło: Anna Faszcza, licencja: CC BY-SA 3.0.