Information Technology to help Disabled people in community inclusion and daily life
This Post summarize the things that I have learned from my work at ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) Consultant at COPSE Egypt, and the Two Experts from Ausilioteca (Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf and Alberto Mingardi) . Ausilioteca is an AT (Assistive Technology Center) Center in Italy, and one of the best/oldest in Europe.
The Two experts are very knowledgeable and very dedicated to their work, and the most important thing that they are not overwhelmed with Technology , but they are overwhelmed with the Community and the Impact on Inclusion of disabled people using their knowledge an Technology.
This post is not to clear disabilities, but it uses Technology to help in the inclusion of the disabled people into the community and increases their ability to be self dependent.
Please share your knowledge and Experience with all of us and add to this post.
P.S. I don't claim that I'm an expert, I only have learned things from the above gentlemen, and wish to help by writing what I have learned.
Assistive Technology Hardware
1) Digitized Speech Devices
It is a simple Technology Board that has certain drawings on it and it helps in communication , as the disabled person can use it to deliver a message to his surrounding , like eating, drinking, toilet or whatever.
There are two types of
i) Pre-defined mesasges : Which already pre-recorded messages
ii) Programmable Board: Which gives the facility of recording custom voice messages and the disabled person will be able to use it
Price average - at the time of writing this post -: Varies from 70USD to ....
2) Dynamic Display Devices:
The same as the above in concept but with the ability to store much more messages. It features multiple input methods, high-quality speech read back and color display, but no additional software could be installed/uploaded to the device.
The question here is an embedded Linux device will be lower cost and Open Ended (can have more languages and uploadable modules,etc.....). It only Support English Language
Price : ..... Epensive.
3) Screen Magnifiers
This device is used to magnify any object (Paper, Medicine bottle,....).it helps visually impaired people
To be continued Tomorrow.
The Two experts are very knowledgeable and very dedicated to their work, and the most important thing that they are not overwhelmed with Technology , but they are overwhelmed with the Community and the Impact on Inclusion of disabled people using their knowledge an Technology.
This post is not to clear disabilities, but it uses Technology to help in the inclusion of the disabled people into the community and increases their ability to be self dependent.
Please share your knowledge and Experience with all of us and add to this post.
P.S. I don't claim that I'm an expert, I only have learned things from the above gentlemen, and wish to help by writing what I have learned.
Assistive Technology Hardware
1) Digitized Speech Devices
It is a simple Technology Board that has certain drawings on it and it helps in communication , as the disabled person can use it to deliver a message to his surrounding , like eating, drinking, toilet or whatever.
There are two types of
i) Pre-defined mesasges : Which already pre-recorded messages
ii) Programmable Board: Which gives the facility of recording custom voice messages and the disabled person will be able to use it
Price average - at the time of writing this post -: Varies from 70USD to ....
2) Dynamic Display Devices:The same as the above in concept but with the ability to store much more messages. It features multiple input methods, high-quality speech read back and color display, but no additional software could be installed/uploaded to the device.
The question here is an embedded Linux device will be lower cost and Open Ended (can have more languages and uploadable modules,etc.....). It only Support English Language
Price : ..... Epensive.
3) Screen MagnifiersThis device is used to magnify any object (Paper, Medicine bottle,....).it helps visually impaired people
To be continued Tomorrow.
Comments
Maybe one day we can implement such great solutions in our countries like Egypt. This will get disabled users to feel more confident and will help their families as they now help him less.
Thank you again and keep the good job.