An Occupational Therapy View of Disablity Toilets

Tutorial Eight: Assisstive technology

Provide a definition of Assistive technology (your Cook and Hussey reading may be helpful with this). Assistive technology: "...technology designed to be utilized in an assistive technology device or assistive technology service." Assistive technology device: "...any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." Assistive technology service: "...any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device." Retrieved on June 6, 2008, from http://www.section508.gov/docs/AT1998.html.

Describe one piece of equipment introduced in the assistive technology tutorial. Provide information on size, cost and functions. Gooshy Steptalking Sequencer Cost: $146.54 Nz or $117.95 US Size: 10 1/4 inches x 7 1/4 inches x 3 inches Requires 4 x AA batteries "Perfect for the non speaking adult or child. Allows the user to express a sequential series of pre-recorded messages (300 second total). The sequencer allows people with even the most limited communication skills to carry on a simple conversation. Ideal for a number of different purposes including sequencing, testing, directions, multiplication, memorization, medical instructions, storytelling and singalongs." Retrieved on June 6, 2008 from http://enablingdevices.com

How does your chosen piece of equipment increase functional capacity for the user? provide examples here from the tutorial and lecture. If a child has trouble communicating this is a good piece of equipment for them because it has a fun look to it and makes people want to touch the pad. The pad that the child touches to use the device is soft and feels like a stress ball. This device would enable the child to communicate with others. This in turn helps to keep their mood more level because they are not getting frustrated that no-one understands what they want/need. We also used it in classes to get a beater going when we were making pancakes, this shows that the child would be able to take part in activities that they otherwise might not be able to. All this leads to better learning and living environments and situations for the child which is what the parents, teachers, carers and child want.

A Typical Day

Tutorial Seven: Posting You Tube Videos and Flickr Badges to Blogs: Explaining the process

Task One: Explain the step by step process required to embed You Tube videos into your Blog . Consider using screen captures to provide a visual representation of these steps. Step 1: Log on to You Tube. Step 2: Find a video you want to add to your blog. Step 3: Copy the URL address of the video. Step 4: Paste the URL address on a new posting. Step 5: Publish the new post on your blog and the video will appear!

Task Two: Explain the step by step process required to embed a Flickr Badge into your Blog . Consider using screen captures to provide a visual representation of these steps. Step 1: Log on to your blog. Step 2: Log on to Flickr. Step 3: Click on the tools at the bottom of the Flickr page. Step 4: Instructions will guide you on how to do this task to a certain point. Follow these until the URL address comes up. Step 5: Copy this address. Step 6: Go back to your blog, go to customize at the top of the page, then add element. Step 7: Out of the options provided click on script and paste the URL address in the box there. Step 8: Name your badge, then save the changes that you have made and publish the post!

Tutorial Four and Five Technical Description

Provide a brief summary of the services offered by U Tube. Information can be drawn from the week five tutorial hand out. You Tube is a site which has videos from all over the world and people can sign up and view them. It is easy to sign up as all you need to have is an email address. You can search videos under a variety of different headings eg. most recent, most viewed etc. You can also search them under what is called channels which is when things are under things from gurus to politicians. Lastly there is a section called community which has competitions, groups and more. Members can load videos on or watch videos that are already there.

Provide a brief account (1-2 paragraphs) on how the use of planning (storyboarding and scripting aided your groups short film. Scripting was a great way for us to plan what we wanted the scene to turn out like and gave us a base to work with. We did not script traditionally but at each scene we discussed what we wanted to say and all our thoughts were collated so that Ingrid could get our point across in the dialogue. Storyboarding was helpful because it gave us a visual feel for where we were wanting the movie to go. We then had a plan on which disability toilets to include in the movie and didn't waste time debating about where we wanted to film next due to it being premeditated. As a group we then had something on paper which is good to refer to if we started going off on a tangent.