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“For most people technology makes things easier. For persons with disabilities, technology makes things possible”
Radabaugh (1988)
This training module is produced in the scope of CP-PACK project and in accordance with the Need Analysis Report derived from the results of the focus group interviews and questionnaires among parents and teachers of children with cerebral palsy. This is a theoretical training module, which is based on the international legal instruments regulating disabled people rights and on the main legal framework available in partners' countries. This training module should be used as a starting point on how to deal and understand applied law. This module is not and can not be understand as a legal counselling.
Cerebral Palsy is a permanent physical condition that affects movement. It can be as mild as just a small weakness in one member or it can be a devastating condition of life, affecting communication, mobility, daily activities, or even cognition. In any of these circumstances, assistive technology can make things better and, most of the times, it can make things possible.
Assistive technology can help to communicate and participate in learning. It can help many learn to sit or walk, overcoming spasticity or uncontrollable movements and live independently, exploring their full potential as persons. Mobile technology, like a cane or wheelchair, enables a student with cerebral palsy to safely maneuver around at school.
Communication aids, such as a voice sensitizer, helps a student with cerebral palsy communicate with others. Computer software and specialized furniture, help students with CP remain comfortable while learning inside and outside the classroom. Computers can also be equipped with special software to facilitate the educational needs of a person with cerebral palsy. Voice activated software can help with typing and proof reading.
There is a whole world of possibilities when we chose the right equipment to the right person and WITH the right person. But that task involves awareness of what equipments are available at a a certain time, at what cost, and their technical characteristics so as to know if they really fit to that person. It is , most of the time, a hard and time consuming task, considering the ephemerons character of the technological development.
This module of CP-PACK aims to reflect on the products available for the different disabilities but also on the process of selecting and acquiring the right kind of equipment or service.
Its framework was based on some of the most recent studies on AT presented in international projects like TELEMATE, IMPACT or EUSTAT. The basic methodology and inspiration came from the Guidelines for Trainers - Empowering Users Trough Assistive Technologies of the EUSTAT Program.
We are conscious that the theme is vast and there are so many references that participants may well fall into cognitive dissonance. But we keep for ourselves that we must be informed to have an opinion and, in this case we do not intend to train parents and teachers of CP children for academic purposes, but only to be part of the solution for their own “cases” of life.
We do hope, therefor, that the provided information can represent to our trainees the beginning of a lifelong process of keeping informed about the state of art of technological evolution for the benefit of your child /pupils who trusts you and knows you are sufficiently informed to help him take the right decisions about assistive technology.
Rui Teles
The TA therefore seek to increase the functional capabilities and thus promote the autonomy and independence of those who use them. There are assistive technology to assist in transportation, access to information and communication, environmental control, and many everyday activities such as study, work and leisure. They serve to provide the person with disabilities greater independence, quality of life and social inclusion through increased communication, mobility, control of environmental, labor and integration with family, friends and society.
The term technology not only indicates physical objects, such as devices or equipment, but more generally refers to products, organizational contexts or "ways of acting" that enclose a series of principles and technical components 2
The term is applied to support a technology, when it is used to compensate for a functional limitation, facilitate independent living and help the elderly and persons with disabilities to realize their full potential
The TA should be considered as a tool for autonomy, which also means an instrument for the relationship. Accordingly, the TA have excellent chances of success if they are appropriate, ie:
Effective (in relation to the tasks prescribed, perform what is expected of them), and
Contextual (and well adapted to the context of use) and
Consonant / consistent with the lifestyle and personality of the user).
Assistive Technology for Students With Cerebral Palsy | eHow.co.uk
http://www.ehow.co.uk/facts_5700425_assistive-technology-students-cerebral-palsy.html#ixzz1jpSHTFNA
http://www.cerebralpalsysource.com/index.html
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/index.htm
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