Menu
We rely on technology for everything: from communication to travel, to managing our lives and homes, to being entertained. Of course, this is the case whether or not we have a disability. However, for someone with a disability, there may be other considerations, such as whether the technology is accessible and whether, once accessed, it can be useful.
So, a smartphone can make an excellent memory aid. But how do you access it if you can’t see very well, or at all? Google Nest is a great device for playing music, controlling the environment and accessing news. You just ask it questions or tell it to do something. But if you can’t speak, how do you communicate with it?
We start by understanding what is meaningful to the individual as that is always a hugely motivating factor. We then consider the individual’s cognitive and motor abilities and their previous experience of technology. We also look at the people around them who may need to support the person using the technology. If we don’t feel that technology is the best solution we would advise this also.
Through years of experience, we have seen the vital role that technology can play in rehabilitation. As a team of professionals, our work always has a rehabilitation focus. As part of our interventions, we set clear, client-centred rehabilitation goals so we can evidence progress. We frequently work alongside a wider team such as Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Psychologists and Physiotherapists. Team working is very important to us and so we always ensure that both our goals and the equipment we may recommend fit with what the wider team is wanting to achieve. It is very unusual for us to work in isolation.
Understanding the goals of the client is a starting point for us. Our skills of working with a range of disabilities allows us to adapt and grade technology on an individual basis to help the client do what they want to do. Sometimes we will begin by enabling an individual to develop an awareness of cause and effect.
More and more, technology is helping to promote independence in a person’s environment. We work closely with architects, builders and specialist electronic companies to ensure that environmental controls are fit for purpose and the client can, or has the potential to, use them. Controlling their own environment can be a huge motivator for an individual and so we will include the grading of this as part of an overall rehabilitation programme and not just a solution to open doors and windows etc. The client’s needs, abilities and desires are always at the centre of what we do and we actively promote a functional but attractive solution to environmental controls, where possible.
A comprehensive assessment of assistive technology needs
Identification of appropriate solutions and a clinical justification for this
Functional and meaningful goal setting through collaboration with the client and the rehabilitation team
A graded approach to rehabilitation using outcome measures to evidence progress
Ongoing support for the client, family, carers and wider team, to use the technology
Our mission at AT Rehab is to find ways of getting technology to work for those with a wide range of disabilities.