Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice

ANNOTATION

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The field of assistive technologies is growing and evolving faster than ever. This new second edition of Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice helps you keep pace with these changes so that you can stay on top of the latest advancements and innovations that help improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. The text focuses on persons with disabilities and how they use assistive technologies as they participate in activities; this framework outlines contexts of use in a Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) Model, Application for specific devices and current practices in the field helps to enhance this information. Specific topics covered include procuring funding for assistive technology systems, deriving and measuring standards of performance, proper positioning when using assistive devices, and more.

FROM THE CRITICS

Stephanie Doster

This text provides a strong framework on which to base assistive technology practice and specific information regarding assistive devices currently available. The purpose is to provide a framework for assistive technology application that is both broad in scope and specific in content. The authors achieve this by incorporating information from the wide range of assistive technology services that are available (occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, rehabilitation engineers, physical therapists, special educators, and vocational rehabilitation counselors) and using this information to present a comprehensive overview of assistive technology. Specifics are addressed by breaking down the field of assistive technology into discrete areas (i.e., seating and positioning, augmentative communication, control interfaces) and then discussing relevant topics in each of these areas. This book is specifically targeted to undergraduate and graduate university students as well as practitioners with limited experience in assistive technology. With its broad scope, this book also offers the more experienced assistive technology practitioner a different perspective on familiar material. The organization of the text is clear and easy to understand. The beginning of each chapter includes very clear chapter outlines and learning objectives. Illustrations and charts are very helpful in clarifying information presented in the narrative. There are numerous references to products that provide the reader with the resources necessary to gather further information. This is a very thorough text, providing the reader with a comprehensive background for practice in assistive technology as well asproviding specific examples of technology that are available to address a variety of consumer needs. Both students and practitioners will gain knowledge and insight from this text. It is undeniably a greatly needed resource in the field of assistive technology.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Stephanie Doster, OTR/L (Univ of Illinois at Chicago Coll of Associated Health Professions)Description: This text provides a strong framework on which to base assistive technology practice and specific information regarding assistive devices currently available. Purpose: The purpose is to provide a framework for assistive technology application that is both broad in scope and specific in content. The authors achieve this by incorporating information from the wide range of assistive technology services that are available (occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, rehabilitation engineers, physical therapists, special educators, and vocational rehabilitation counselors) and using this information to present a comprehensive overview of assistive technology. Specifics are addressed by breaking down the field of assistive technology into discrete areas (i.e., seating and positioning, augmentative communication, control interfaces) and then discussing relevant topics in each of these areas. Audience: This book is specifically targeted to undergraduate and graduate university students as well as practitioners with limited experience in assistive technology. With its broad scope, this book also offers the more experienced assistive technology practitioner a different perspective on familiar material. Features: The organization of the text is clear and easy to understand. The beginning of each chapter includes very clear chapter outlines and learning objectives. Illustrations and charts are very helpful in clarifying information presented in the narrative. There are numerous references to products that provide the reader with the resources necessary to gather further information. Assessment: This is a very thorough text, providing the reader with a comprehensive background for practice in assistive technology as well as providing specific examples of technology that are available to address a variety of consumer needs. Both students and practitioners will gain knowledge and insight from this text. It is undeniably a greatly needed resource in the field of assistive technology.

RATING

4 Stars! from Doody

ACCREDITATION