Assistive Technology
Assistive technology is a hot topic buzzing around various communities such as the disability community, aging population, and people whose medical needs are intensive. But what is it exactly? To some, I imagine it sounds like Rosie, the Jetsons family’s robotic maid. But in reality, assistive technology takes many forms and provides a wide range of support.
As defined by the World Health Organization, “assistive technology enables people to live healthy, productive, independent, and dignified lives, and to participate in education, the labor market, and civic life.” Sounds like a lifestyle most of us would like, right? Assistive technology is changing the quality of life available to people every day by restoring some of the independence that may have been lost.
While all of this sounds great, I bet many of you are still trying to put a picture to what assistive technology can do. Imagine you struggle with mobility and getting around your home. Turning on the lights, adjusting your thermostat, and answering the door are real struggles. Before assistive technology, you would have needed someone in your home to help you with these “simple” tasks. But what if you discovered there was technology out there to do all of these things for you? Even better, what if this technology already lives in most homes today? That’s right folks, we’re talking about the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and all the other smart speakers out there. A recent study reported that over a quarter of U.S. adults now own a smart speaker. (https://tcrn.ch/2J0WwNE) Through a simple voice command, these smart speakers can connect to an array of Bluetooth enabled devices to accomplish many tasks. Now, you can live independently in your home with the support of a small device and reduce the financial expense of in-home support.
The example shared above is just that, an example of what technology can do. Because no two people are the same, their needs can be simple or extremely complex. And while assistive technology cannot restore total independence for all, it may be able to offer a small portion to lead a life of their choosing.