Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is defined by  Christiansen and Townsend (2010, p. 417) as "technological inventions (devices) designed to enable active engagement or participation in occupation through energy conservation, accommodation for diverse physical disabilities, or compensation for functional limitations or disabilities".  In layman's terms, this means any specially-designed gadget that helps someone do something by making the task easier.  Some of the different types of objects that could be described as assistive technology include mobility aids like wheelchairs and walking frames, communication aids like speech recognition software or touchscreen communication devices, adaptive keyboards and telephones that have larger than standard buttons, prosthetic limbs, and systems like Teletext, just to name a few.

In this post, I'm going to look into the talking photo album, which is an album for photos, drawings, and practical elements like timetables, that contains a built-in microphone so that accompanying messages can be recorded onto it.  Each page can have a new recording, and each page has a play button so that uses can listen to the message that goes with each image stored in the album.  The albums come in three sizes, from a large A3, to a medium A4, and down to a small A5.  They come with plain covers, or can also come with more interesting covers for kids.  The pricing differs according to size, with the A3 costing $122, the A4 costing $115, and the A5 costing $98 (STAR Mobility, 2011).  Here is a link to the STAR Mobility page for this device.

http://www.starmobility.co.nz/recordable-voice-devices-1/aids/talking-photo-album-a5.html

Talking photo albums could have a number of applications.   The first application that is noted is the album's usefulness for dementia clients.  Albums could easily be created for members of this user group of images and messages that remind the individual of a happy memory, or of a scene that represents something that the user finds relaxing,  in order to return the user to a sense of calm if they become agitated.  Below is a youtube video of a news story from Australia about the use of talking photo albums with dementia patients.

(dmcoles88, 2010)

Talking photo albums could also be used to help those with cognitive difficulties maintain order in their day, or create routines.  The video below demonstrates just such an application.  It shows a young boy who has his morning routine in a talking album, from getting dressed, to having breakfast, to getting his bag for school.

(Team4paws, 2010)

Occupational transition can be eased in the case of dementia clients with the use of talking photo albums.  As individuals with a progressive disorder, dementia clients are in a constant state of transition as their condition slowly causes a decline in function.  Talking photo albums containing images that hold meaning for the individual can assist in reducing this decline in function and occupational status, by providing the individual not only with the familiarity of photos, but also the familiarity of a friend or family member's voice.  The novelty of the vocal component also promotes engagement for the dementia client.

Occupational justice is served well in the second video.  The talking photo album allows the boy a degree of independence that he may not have otherwise had, and allows him the opportunity to participate more fully in his daily activities.  He is capable of understanding the pictures and instructions contained in his album, and can therefore follow the album and ready himself in the morning, rather than having to rely on a parent or caregiver.

References

Christiansen, C.H., & Townsend, E.A. (2010). Glossary. In C.H. Christiansen & E.A. Townsend (Eds.), Introduction to occupation: The art and science of living (2nd ed.) (pp. 417-421).

dmcoles88. (2010, November 25). Talking books a helpful reminder - ABC News (Australia Broadcasting Corporation).flv [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kff-zf-6VUw

STAR Mobility. (2011). Talking photo album. Retrieved from http://www.starmobility.co.nz/recordable-voice-devices-1/aids/talking-photo-album-a5.html

Team4paws. (2010, December 10). Talking photo album [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UhPyj1asQA