Assistive Technology: is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them 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 (Cook & Hussey 2001).
One piece of assistive technology that I was introduced to was the tech/talk 8th. This is a communication device which allows you to program, record and playback 48-96 independent messages. You can change the messages and pictures to match corresponding message. It is the size of a regular computer keyboard and costs up to $4000. It can be wiped with a damp cloth to wash.
This tech/talk enables an individual to communicate only using hand function. This would enable the person who has no verbal or fine movement to ask a question or say what she/ he are feeling. An untrained person can listen to the individual and respond to them.
