Vol. 3, No. 6, Nov//Dec 1995	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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HOME SWEET HOME ... AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Patty Hove, Chief Occupational Therapist,
DATI Kent and Sussex County ATRCs

Whether it is a piece of velcro or a computerized environmental control unit, assistive technology in the home is changing the lives of people with disabilities, empowering them to be as self-sufficient, productive and safe as possible.

What accommodations can be made for people with physical impairments?

People with physical impairments include those who have limited or no use of their arms, legs, and hands, incoordination, or loss of sensation. For people who use wheelchairs, the installation of ramps and automatic doors is often necessary to provide a pathway to the outside world. Without expensive remodeling, specially designed door hinges may allow two or more inches in doorways.

Accessible work surfaces, electric or battery operated appliances, and environmental control units (ECUs) in the kitchen allow people to be independent in their home. While some modifications are costly, others are quite inexpensive. Consider the individual with poor strength or limited dexterity who uses a cup hook under the counter to open soda cans. By hooking the tab of a can on the cup holder and carefully pulling it away, the individual is able to open the can. Equipment such as a small cart on wheels or an anti-tip tray allows an individual to plan, prepare and safely transport food and equipment within the kitchen or from one room to another.

Through the use of computers and/or environmental control units, people with little or no use of their body parts can operate hundreds of appliances, allowing them to control their hospital bed, turn their heating/air-conditioning units on and off, and operate their lights and television. Consider the individual who moves his eyebrow to operate his computer or to answer the phone. This individual also uses the wheels on his powered wheelchair to "run over" a switch that turns on his appliances. He was able to be alone for two to four hours, giving him independence as well as affording respite for his family.

What accommodations can be made for people with visual impairments?

Many people with low vision can be accommodated by enlarging the numbers on a telephone, or by using any number of audible cues where they're needed: wind chimes to warn where the steps are, a buzzer to let one know when the front door or a cupboard door is ajar. Strategically placed furniture can help in crossing a large, seemingly vast living room. Contrasting tape on stairs turns a "blur" into well-defined areas of dark and light. When managing household finances, custom-made templates or signature guides enable the individual to sign his check or write a letter.

For a person who is blind, a talking watch and talking alarm clock can be invaluable for time management, and a talking calculator can help in balancing the checkbook. On stove and oven knobs, key points can be marked with raised material such as glue, Hi Marks, or nail polish. Small holes can be drilled and filled with small pegs so one can feel the temperature settings.

What accommodations can be made for a person with a hearing impairment?

People with hearing impairments include those with mild to profound hearing loss and deafness. Accommodations include amplified telephones with adjustable volume controls, the TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf), and visual alerting devices such as strobe lights on fire alarms, telephones, and doorbells. A vibrating pager can alert a mother to her infant's cry. Some systems have different types of vibrations to differentiate what is being activated. For example, a strong vibration may be emitted for an alarm and a more subtle vibration may signal a person entering the room. A "bed shaker" alerts someone who is deaf to either the fire alarm or an alarm clock. All new televisions now come equipped with close captioning capabilities. An audio link may be used to amplify the volume on the television without disturbing other viewers or neighbors.

Technology in the home is important to the safety of individuals with disabilities. In many cases the technology allows an individual to be more independent, relying less on other family members. The costs of the technology mentioned can range from one dollar to several hundred dollars. For further information on specific devices, please contact the ATRC in your county. Each center houses a wide variety of equipment that can be borrowed by consumers, therapists, or businesses. The centers also contain information on where to purchase assistive technology and how to obtain funding and training.