Solutions: Assistive Technology for People with Brain Injury (2016) (Easter Seals)

Description:

• This is not an ‘all inclusive’ manual for assistive technology. It is a starting point to introduce what assistive technology is and how it can help. Each section of the booklet will give examples of devices for specific tasks or activities. For additional details and resources please see the “Where to go from here” section in the back of this booklet.
• A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) may cause many different problems: physical, sensory (sight, hearing or touch), cognitive (thinking), communication, swallowing, and behavioral. These problems can greatly impair the person’s ability to live independently. When choosing AT devices, the task to be completed, the individual’s strengths and preferences, and setting where the task will be done need to be considered. Therefore, the selection of AT is done on an individual basis. Not everything in this manual will work for every individual.
• What is assistive technology (AT)? The Americans with Disabilities Act defines assistive technology as “any device that supports an individual with a disability in independently performing a specific task.” This can be a device, approach, or adaptation to the performance of the task. Any device or strategy that helps at home, school, or in the community can be considered assistive technology.
• AT can be purchased in a store or online or AT can be homemade.
• AT ranges from simple devices, “low tech” or “no tech” devices (for example, a spoon with built-up handle or drinking glass with rubber bands for gripping) to more specialized or “high tech” devices (for example, a power wheelchair or home monitoring
  system).