Assistive technology according to Cook and Hussey, (2000) refers to a broad range of devices, services, strategies and practices that are conceived and applied to improve alleviate the problems faced by individuals who have disabilities.
Describe one piece of equipment introduced in the assistive technology tutorial. Provide information on size, cost and functions.
The Sunny Sunshine Switch is a switch that young children can use. It consists of a middle circle with eight flexible ‘rays’ all in different colours of the rainbow. At the end of the ‘rays’ there are coloured lights. When the child grips the rays and pulls or pushes them, the sunny sunshine plays soothing music, vibrates and the lights flash in time to the music. The Sunny Sunshine is 14”Length by 14” Width by 8” High. It costs $82.95 US.
Picture retrieved 13 June, 2008 from http://www.tecsol.com.au/pdfs/Toys.pdf
How does your chosen piece of equipment increased functional capacity for the user? Provide examples here from the tutorial and lecture.
This piece of adaptive technology is to teach children how to use switches and the law of cause and effect so that they can communicate their needs and wants in the future. The sunny sunshine teaches children if they pull the switch, a good thing will happen i.e. music is played, lights appear and it vibrates. When the child lets go, it stops. The switch can also be connected to other objects so when pulled, something else occurs as well i.e. the stereo turns on or off.
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