Introduction

My name is Romona Brooks I am currently an occupational therapy student at Florida Hospital of Health Sciences. The blog was created to provide a collection of assistive technology and resources. The blog will provide information on the name, purpose, operation, and the availability of the assistive technology or service. Each posting will provide descriptive and comprehensive information about each assistive technology and services.

Kurzweil 3000

Kurzweil 3000

 Kurzweil 3000 is software program that helps students with learning disabilities to learn how to read and write. This software program also increases the individual vocabulary skills, study skills, and test taking skills.


Purpose

• Kurzweil 3000 allows individual with dyslexia, dysgraphia, attention deficit disorder, and other learning disabilities to learn to read and write. In addition it also helps student learn study skills, test-taking skills and vocabulary skills.  This program helps students to attain success in school independently, while keeping up with their fellow classmates. This program is beneficial because it allows student to learn new academic skills at their own speed.
• Skills include: cognitive, visual, physical, perceptual, and auditory.

  Operation

• To install the program inset the CD it in your computer, then download the program once the program is downloaded, double click on the Kurzweil icon to open it.  Once the sign in screen appears then sign in. Once you sign in, it would be beneficial to learn the various icons and features to increase your operational speed.  Then click on the program you want to start with.
• This program software is beneficial for any individual, college students and adults who have learning disabilities and want to learn how to read and write.

  Pros/Cons

• Pros- This software helps student with learning disabilities to learn how to read and write in other to succeed in school and gain academic success. It easy to install and it can be alerted to meet a student academic needs. This program provides reading, writing and others skills from school age to college and then adulthood.
• Cons- The program can take a while for you to access which can be time consuming; occasionally it can skip a page or section. This program is very expensive.

Availability

• The Kurzweil 3000 Windows Version 13 and Kurzweil 3000 Macintosh Version 5 can be purchased for 1,395.00.  The manufacture for this software program is Kurzweil educational system. This software can be purchased online at www.kurzweiledu.com or by phone 800- 547-6747.

Rocking “T” Knife

Rocking “T” Knife

The Rocking “T” Knife has a comfortable wooden handle and a 3 1/2" single-edged stainless-steel blade. It has a rounded blade, which causes that rocking motion. The rocking motion makes it easy to cut through foods.


 Purpose

• The device is created for individuals who have a difficult time cutting their food due to illnesses or injuries. The knife makes it easy to cut food because it creates a rocking motion; all you need is a few up and down rocking motions and you will cut through foods. The knife allows individuals who have arthritis, Parkinson’s, or suffered from a stroke to gain some form of independence.
• Skills include: visual, tactile, perceptual and cognitive.

Operation

• Pick up the device and make sure you have a firm hold of the handle, and then place the rounded blade of the knife on the food. Once the knife’s blade is against the food, you should start rocking it back and forth. When you are rocking back and forth make sure you are pressing downward. Continue to rock back and forth until you cut through the food. This device is beneficial for geriatric and pediatric populations who have muscle weakness or don’t have full control of their upper extremities.

Pros/Cons

• Pros- The device helps people who have muscle weakness or neurological illness to eat without any frustration. It makes cutting foods easy. This device is safe to use and dishwasher safe.
• Con-The rocker knife could be uncomfortable if not used properly

Availability

• The Rocking T Knife can be purchased from AliMed for $19.75.  The manufacture of this particular device is AliMed.  Item can be purchased online or by phone: http://www.alimed.com/rocking-t-knife.html  or (800) 225-2610.

Contour Turner

Contour Turner

 

 The Contour Turner has a T shaped handle with retractable, with sprung steel rods at the head. The sprung steel rods are able to conform around a knob which provides leverage for turning small knobs.


Purpose

• The device can be used to turn knobs by individuals who have difficulty turning small knobs.
• Skills include: physical, visual, tactile, visual perceptual, and cognitive

Operation

• Hold the device with the head protruding between third and index finger. Press the head against the object to be turned. The spring load rods will then retract while leaving the extended rods to enclose the object. The next step is to then turn the clamp and the object will be turned.  This device can be used to serve any population that experiences difficulty in gripping and turning small to medium objects

Pros/Cons

• Pros- The device can be used to  turn keys, stove controls, and door handles.
• Cons- The device can be misplaced easily because of its size. Individuals might be hesitant to use the device in public because of it appearance.

Availability

• Device can be ordered from Patterson Medical for $13.99.
• http://pattersonmedical.com/app.aspx?cmd=getItemDetail&id=081499623

Tobii C15

Tobii C15

 The Tobii C 15 is an  eye-controlled augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device that allows individuals with complex communication needs to communicate.


 Purpose

• This device allows individuals to communicate their ideas with the use of their eyes. The device is able to keep track of where the user looks by sending out near-infrared light and measuring its reflection in the user's eyes. The user can then communicate their wants by typing text or using symbols that are turned into speech.
• Skills include: visual, auditory, and cognitive

Operation

• To operate the Tobii C15, the consumer can simply stare at a point, blink, or use a switch to select symbols or latter to communicate. The device can be used by consumers with complex communication needs like ALS, Cerebral Palsy, and individuals with a history of Stroke which resulted in aphasia.

Pros/Cons

• Pros- The device allows individuals with complex communication needs to engage in daily communication via e-mail, text messaging and chats. The device can also be used to control the consumer’s television, DVD player, light switches, and doors. More positive features of the device are its portability and its large screen.
• Cons- The device is expensive and it requires significant cognitive ability.

Availability

•  The Tobii Company is the manufacturer of the Tobii C15; the Tobii C15 is priced at $7,795.00.
• Tobii offers products and services globally. The link provided can be used to locate a supplier in your region.
• http://www.tobii.com/en/assistive-technology/global/Contact/

Braille Learning Doll

Braille Learning Doll

The device is a 1.5 foot size speaking doll. It has six raised buttons that can be depressed to form the Braille letters. The doll is designed to attract tactile interest with its bright color clothing.


 Purpose

• The doll can be used to teach blind or low vision children the Braille letters.
• The skills required to use this doll are an intact active range of motion, an intact somatosensory system and intact cognitive processing skills.
• Skills include: physical, tactile, and cognitive.

Operation

• To operate the doll the user simply pushes in or pops out the dots to make a letter. To enhance the learner's experience the doll comes with a list of suggested activities.
•  The doll would be appropriate for the pediatric population. It is possible to use the device with any individual that suffered a recent  loss in vision that does not consider the device to be childish.

Pros/Cons

•  The pros of the device are that it provides children with a fun way to become acquainted with the Braille alphabets and it is a cost friendly investment.
• The cons of this device are that it is hard to find and the instructions for the doll are only in English.

Availability

• The doll can be ordered online from the enablemart.com or by call 1-888-640-1999 for $45.95
• http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Arts-Crafts/Braille-Learning-Doll

Lighthouse of Central Florida

Lighthouse of Central Florida

Lighthouse of Central Florida is a non-profit organization that helps people with vision impairment to manage activities of daily living and  offers job training and employment by teaching them different ways to do tasks.

 

Purpose

• The purpose of Lighthouse of Central Florida is to provide individuals  with visual impairment with the interventions required for functional independence.
•  Skills include: physical, some or no  visual skills, tactile, auditory, and cognitive skills

Operation

• This service can be used at home, at school, at work, and in the community to increase independence. If an individual is interested in this service, he or she can go to Lighthouse of Central Florida or call and speak to a representative from Lighthouse.
• This service is available for any population suffering from low vision.

Pros/Cons

• The pro of this service is that people who were sedentary before Lighthouse are more active after they learned to do daily living activities and leisure activities with their vision loss.
• The con of this service is that it doesn’t provide transportation.

Availability

• Lighthouse of Central Florida is located in 215 East New Hampshire St. Orlando, FL 32804 and 421 East Robinson Street Orlando, FL 32801.  You can call (407) 898-2483 to speak to a representative at Lighthouse of Central Florida or go online to www.lighthousecentralflorida.org/ for more information.