University Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Assignment Solution

This document provides a detailed solution to a rehabilitation and assistive technology assignment. It begins by explaining the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model, including its components and how it differs from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The solution then outlines the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model, describing its components. The assignment addresses cerebral palsy (CP), presenting the consensus definition, current incidence in Australia, and the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and its relation to CP. The solution also explores EZ Access® technology, sensory aids and their components, sensory pathways, and low-tech versus high-tech communication systems. Finally, it examines the components of competence (operational, functional/social, emotional, strategic, and linguistic) and the application of Environmental Control Units/Electronic Aids to Daily Living (ECUs/EADLs).

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Name:
University
Course:
Tutor:
Date:
Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology
1. (3 marks)
International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model
is a guideline in the World Health Organization (WHO) that monitors functioning and
check on people with disabilities concerning their health. It provides a framework and
common language for identifying the level of a person in their unique environments,
classifying them according to their specific condition in regards to disability.
According to the ICF concept, disability is a multidimensional and universal
phenomenon located with heath (Escorpizo et al. 2010, pp.502-511). Human being
functions are known to be a continuum of state of health, and each exhibit one or
other degree of functioning in every domain. Disability is not a problem that resides
in the person, according to ICF. ICF components are, health condition (disorder or
disease), environmental factors, personal factors, activities, participation and body,
and structures
Health condition (a disease or disorder) may mutually impact functioning and
interacting level, in relation to the body functioning, level of activities, and
participating in the society. Body and structures, this component deals with body
systems' physiological functions. These structures are anatomical parts such as
limbs, organs, and their components.
Participation is tasks or actions, and individual executes. One may have
difficulties in execution. Also involved in life situations. One may experience
problems in involving in life situations.
Environmental factors
The social, physical, and altitudinal environment where people live and
carry their activities may facilitate a person`s or became a barrier functioning.
Personal Factors also have considered in the model, but actual ICF did not
classify
ICD deals with classifications of disease entities together with other health
conditions and gathers information on diagnosis. In contrast, ICF deals with the
classification of domain functions and disabilities regardless of body functions
and structures.
2.
Human Activity - Assistive Technology (HAAT) is a guideline that gives physical access and
functions to people with disabilities to meet their daily challenges. HAAT forms a collective
form that leans within the social, physical environment such as ramps, grabs bar context,
which shows the interaction between human activities. Devices and features of devices to

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help to do chores such as cooking and dressing. Hearing aids this enables the person with
hearing impairment to hear more clearly. Mobility aids, such as the use of a wheelchair by
people with mobility disabilities to access different environments (McNaughton et al. 2008,
pp.43-55). Computer software and hardware, AT in a learning institution, allows students to
face barriers to finding a way that enables them to participate actively in learning so that they
can maximize the educational outcomes for these students. For example, students speaking
French language learning with other students speaking in English, there must be a way where
the language will be translated into French to assist the other student in coping up with other
students. HAAT has benefited people with disabilities by facilitating and enabling them to
cope with disability challenges. HAAT also helps people with disabilities to work around the
challenges.
AT requirements for children with learning differences, are adopted in the specific decision.
This is because every child demonstrates very individual and different profiles of learning
weaknesses and strengths (Loomis 2012, pp. 179-210. On the other hand, children's nature of
learning differs according to subjects, demands, and types of assessments.
3.
According to consensus and its team, Cerebral palsy (CP) is defined as a group of permanent
disorders that develop posture and movement, limitation of activities, those non-progressive
disturbances are attributed and occurs in fetal development or infant's brain.
The statistic report shows that one out of seven hundred infants are born with cerebral palsy,
and one out of two infected infants is in chronic pain. This statistic shows that between six
hundred to seven hundred infants are born with cerebral palsy every year in Australia
(Rosenbaum et al. 2007, pp.484-488). The Australian statistics also estimate that in every
eighteen hours a child with or develop cerebral palsy. Which is estimated to be one in every
four hundred infants. Statistic approximation shows that around thirty-four thousand people
live with cerebral palsy in Australia.
The Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) is a development which monitors the
ability of children who have cerebral palsy on they handle objects and others in their daily
activities. Children are categorized on different levels based on self-initiation ability to
handle objects and adaptation to perform their daily manual activities. Manual Ability
Classification System (MACS) describes five levels which are based on the kids 'ability to
handle objects. MACS brochure describes varieties adjacent levels for easier determination of
best levels corresponding child`s ability to handle objects. Children are provided with
relevant and age-appropriate objects to use when performing tasks such as playing, eating,
dressing, and writing. The objects used are those between their space knowns to oppose the
objects which are beyond their reach. The systems do not consider the use of playing
instruments.
(Manual Ability Classification System) relates to cerebral palsy in the fact that MACS
monitors the ability of a child to hand objects while the Cerebral palsy is the course of the
disorder.
4.

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EZ Access® is a technology that has been implemented in wayfinding kiosks, fare machines,
and self-service kiosks to enable people with disabilities to have access to their needs. EZ
Access ® helps to provide cross-disability access to their needs in a technical way that is
simple interactive, and flexible to accommodate all users according to their ability (Brindisi
et al. 2012). This allows many people to access products in preference to ability and
circumstance. EZ access work both less technically oriented and technically adept people. EZ
access does not require training, and it is easily understandable.
EZ Access is used in Amtrak ticketing kiosks where self-service is used; this enables people
with disabilities to access the services and without any need for assistance. Homeland
Security border control kiosks, this is where self- service kiosks are used by travelers to
respond to questions relating to CBP inspection and biographic information. Self-service
kiosks are a terminal where self-service is applied to integrate software and hardware to
create an interactive environment that includes product display. Automatic Teller Machines,
this is to allow the disabled people the access their privacy when withdrawing money using
the machine; it also benefits them by reducing the dependence. Voting machines also have
EZ Access to give the disabled people to vote in privacy. Even in public gaming and self-
restaurant ordering service.
5. (3 marks) what are the major components of all sensory aids, and what does each
part do?
Sensory aids components are a visual aid, speech, hearing aid, tactile aid and eating aid
A hearing aid is a device that contains the amplifying system. It is carried in a pocket or worn
on the body. Hearing aids include a microphone that increases sound energy, an amplifier to
boost the signal and filter out other devices to provide conducive hearing to impaired Visual
aid, are devices that enable people with visual impairment to perform their tasks such as
reading and movements, for those with low optical optic glasses, small telescopes and loupes
are provided. For those with high visual impairment, they aided by the use of braille and a
working stick.
Speech sensory aid enables a person with a speech problem to demonstrate their plans and
use sensory speech support to present them formally. Their speech may be either persuasive
or informative (Lansade, Pichard & Leconte 2008, pp.534-553). The use of signs also acts as
sensory aids as it expresses what it must be constituted or undertaken. Eating sensory aid is
used by nurses to provide an essential aspect of feeding and assisting patients who suffer
from eating problems.
Tactile aids are devices that use touch to enable individuals to cope up with visual or hearing
impairment. For instance, a doorbell vibrator assists a person with hearing loss to know that
the doorbell is ringing. Other tactile aids such as braille enable them to read, and electronic
travel aids facilitate mobility for visually impaired individuals.

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6.
Sensory pathways involve the chain neurons, which connect the receptor organs with the
cerebral cortex; they are responsible for perception sensation; it consists of a sensor,
stimulator, and a coupling system. The sensor records stimulus and gives a coupling system
for the interpretation of signals (Lansade, Pichard & Leconte 2008, pp.534-553). Sensory
modality transfers information to the visual perception parts of the brain for a person to
perceive sight. Bach-y-Rita, carry out an experiment and found that a patient who suffers
from leprosy lost peripheral sensation and was able to restore touch perception.
7.
A low-tech communication system is most preferred to be used by complex communication
because it does not use electricity or batteries. A low-tech communication system user does
not worry as it might breakdown or may stop working. A low-tech communication system is
also cheaply affordable to every kind of person; the users have no auditory feedback; it is
easy to create and use as it has not required any technical handling (King & Fahsl 2012,
pp.42-49. Maintenance cost is low because there is no main power charging needed, and it
can be used in any environment which demands. It is easy to choose while purchasing,
depending on the level of disability. Low tech is more convenient portable. Unlike the high
tech communication system, which depends on the main power and they are charged from
time to time in order to synthesized voices. They are expensive and cannot be afforded by
any individual; it more costly to purchase as well as to keep its maintenance (McNaughton et
al. 2008, pp.43-55). High tech communication systems require skills to command languages.
High tech communication systems are specialized in software, and it is highly cost to create.
High tech technology gets outdated and eventually breaks down. High tech cannot be used in
other demanding environments, and its portability is tiresome. It is challenging to choose a
specific device for loved one in high tech communication systems as various factors must be
considered during the process; this includes the physical ability and its demerits, cognitive
abilities, and its demerits as wells as financial limitations.
8.
Operational Competence: this skill required the use of AAC systems or devices. Navigation,
power control, volume control, temperature controls, and interaction. Functional or Social
Competence: communication involve social skills such as maintaining, initiating, and
termination of communicative interactions in a culturally, socially, and contextually manner
of appropriations (Carlon et al. 2010, p.81). Use of (speech generating devices) SGD to
communicate, for complete interaction and communication breakdown repair.
Emotional Competence: an emotional vocabulary development utilizes the lexicon to relay
beliefs, feelings, and thoughts. It creates an awareness of empathy, emotions, self-efficacy,

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and self-regulation (McNaughton et al. 2008, pp.43-55). Strategic Competence: strategic
competence has unique and special skills based on AAC communication; these include the
ability to gain the listener`s attention on symbol prior selection on the communication board,
partners are checking comprehension, and repair of communicative breakdown. AAC system
is used to identify communication breakdowns in a given situation.
Linguistic Competence: AAC system is intended to be used in the degree of expressive and
receptive language development and knowledge of the linguistic code. This is to improve
language use, use of appropriate grammar, and expands utterances and syntax.
Individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication have an expressive
disorder in communication. AAC system is integrated to enhance aid in form external
support which is either non-electronic or electronic
9.
Environmental Control Units/Electronic Aids to Daily Living (ECUs/EADLs) is used
because it provides people with disabilities an interactive environment, this by utilizing the
equipment it gives hope to people with disabilities to participate in daily activities.
Environmental Control Units/Electronic Aids to Daily Living (ECUs/EADLs) used to benefit
people with limited functionality by allowing them to work on their own. This gives them a
conducive and interactive environment by facilitating communication, security, and
recreation. According to Palmer and Seale, suggestion EADLs have a high level of
psychological meaning to individuals and equipment using the utility. They also noted that
EADLs bring positive feelings and mental benefits (Kanto-Ronkanen, 2010, pp.596-600).
Stickel and colleagues suggest that people with disabilities are satisfied with the use of
ADLs, and they are confident over a long time. ADLs benefits those who are disabled to
perform many functions within the environment. ADLs has also promoted studies by
providing disabled people with independent performance. Disable people can control
television, telephone, and attendant call.
The use of EADL also benefits the caregivers; their responsibilities have been alleviated; they
don`t pay more attention to disabled people as they can control the device themselves.
Harmer and Bakheit stressed that caregivers' work has reduced because disabled do not need
personal assistance, they can complete daily tasks, for instance, receiving a phone call,
adjusting televisions and operating lights, Platts and Fraser gave the same suggestion, and
they can carry out other responsibilities. Work lord has been reducing by use of EADL, and it
is reported the standard of living.
10.
What are the pros and cons of this method compared to direct single switch activation?

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The main transmission modes used in EADL systems are Ultrasound transmission, Infrared
transmission, Ultrasonic transmission, and Radio recurrence transmission.
Infrared transmission: this is a mode where undetectable infrared beams are used as a
medium. Its responsibilities are most recognized in home electronics like television, radios,
and other equipment's which uses IR remote controls (Kanto-Ronkanen 2010, pp.596-600).
Remote controls are utilized for double, persisted, and discrete sorts of control.
Ultrasonic transmission: these comprise of transmitter units, which either held by hand or
mounted on a wheelchair, every machine control is arranged to a reciver.it also has a locked
mode.
Radiofrequency transmission: this is the last transmission from a radio frequency it
connection is between the control interface and distribution control unit of appliances.
Ultrasound: is a transmission utilized between the control and distribution unit on the devices
to be controlled. This uses sound waves, making it impossible to be heard in the human ear.
References
Brindisi, R.G. and Vittardi, G.A., SmartShopper Electronics LLC, 2012. Handheld devise
and kiosk system for automated compiling and generating item list information. U.S. Patent
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Carlon, S., Shields, N., Yong, K., Gilmore, R., Sakzewski, L., and Boyd, R., 2010. A
systematic review of the psychometric properties of Quality of Life measures for school-aged
children with cerebral palsy. BMC pediatrics, 10(1), p.81.
Escorpizo, R., Ekholm, J., Gmünder, H.P., Cieza, A., Kostanjsek, N., and Stucki, G., 2010.
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occupational rehabilitation, 20(4), pp.502-511.

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Kanto-Ronkanen, A., Leino, E. and Salminen, A.L., 2010. The benefits of environmental
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Published on November 27, 2012.