MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'assistive technology'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:36:54 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960003&cid=t_107819_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F22%2Fageing-society-2011-vol-31-no-5%2F This article looks at the need for further understanding of routine, mobility and daily activities that may be taken for granted and whether these issues are important when it comes to designing methods that mitigate the negative impacts of falls and fear of falling for people living independently. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Filed under: Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Assistive Technology, Falls, Independent Living, Older People (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960003 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:16:12 +0100 4960003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2683969&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D381 If you haven’t noticed, computers have become much cheaper - I remember when laptops cost over $5,000 USD, minimum.  Today, I use a $300 Acer Aspire One.  That’s a huge price drop. Part of this has left people - particularly technology people - asking some questions, such as: - Why does computerized assistive technology, such as speech devices, cost so much when there are cheap commodity laptops/netbooks out there? - How can the cheaper technology of today help people who have, thus far, not had access to expensive assistive technology? These are great questions.  But they often have some underlying assumptions behind them that are not so obvious. For instance, there’s an underlying assumption that a netbook such as the Acer is, basically, the same thing as a Lightwr... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2683969 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:25:43 +0100 2683969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591409&cid=t_107819_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F10%2Fresearch-and-development-work-relating-to-assistive-technology-2008-09%2F Title: Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2008-09 The Skinny: Covers research and development work carried out by or on behalf of any government department in relation to equipment that might increase the range and independence of older and disabled people.  Outlines the role of assistive technology in making independent living easier for older people and disabled adults and children. The report describes the wide range of government-funded projects supporting the development, introduction and evaluation of assistive technology.  Relevant projects funded by the EU  have also been included. Publisher: DH Size of Document: 105p. Posted in Disabilities, Grey Literature, NHS Tagged: Adults, Assistive Technology, Children, Disabilities, Grey Literature, Older Pe... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2591409 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:32:06 +0100 2591409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1826782&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspieweb.net%2Fso-i-should-jump-off-a-bridge%2F I received a very threatening and disturbing comment a few days ago on a blog post, these comments I normally delete as they serve no purpose.  But this comment does serve a purpose and there is a legitimate gripe.  This person appears to be the sister of an Autistic girl who can’t communicate with the [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1826782 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:26:41 +0100 1826782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1602933&cid=t_107819_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F07%2F08%2Fresearch-and-development-work-relating-to-assistive-technology-2007-08-presented-pursuant-to-section-22-of-the-chronically-sick-and-disabled-persons-act-1970%2F covers research and development work carried out by or on behalf of any government department in relation to equipment that might increase the range and independence of older and disabled people. The report places such research in the context of theNational Service Framework for Long-term conditions and the White Paper on Health and Social Care. The report describes the wide range of government-funded projects supporting the development, introduction and evaluation of assistive technology. Relevant projects funded by the EU are also listed. (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1602933 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:46:51 +0100 1602933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1429106&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D313 There are a lot of reasons why someone might not use language “normally”. Yet, despite this, it is often assumed that there are two options for someone to communicate: the “normal” way and a given person’s favored solution. I’ve seen this two option approach not just from non-disabled people, but also from people with communication disability (the second option, in that case, is often their option). I’ve also seen a lot of armchair language experts, who haven’t had the benefit of reading even the most basic of literature on communication disabilities - and thus are condemned to reinvent the wheel poorly. Unfortunately, sometimes these armchair language experts are someone’s only hope for communication - so when inferior solutions are ch... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1429106 Thu, 08 May 2008 16:03:25 +0100 1429106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1347532&cid=t_107819_113_f&fid=35744&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fe-CareManagement%2F%7E3%2F262968706%2F Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being, AgingStats.gov, Federal Agency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics Healthy@Home, commissioned by AARP and the Blue Shield of California Foundation State of Technology in Aging Services, Center for Aging Services Technology (CAST) These reports are succinctly profiled with links to the full studies at Profiles of older health care consumers: living longer, longing for technology on Jane Sarasohn-Kahn’s Health Populi blog. A great read! Share This Related posts (and # of comments) No related posts. (Source: e-CareManagement) e-CareManagement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1347532 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:12:29 +0100 1347532 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1179705&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D291 A friend recently discovered he was disabled, and likely was going to need to use a wheelchair sometime in the future. Now, he’s a good guy and understands disability rights. It’d be hard for us to be friends otherwise. What, then, would be his reason for telling me that for him it’s better to struggle and continue to walk, even putting his life on the line to walk (the risk of falling is exceptionally high for this man), rather than use a wheelchair? I talked with him a bit, and he’s rethought his beliefs. I had asked why it was more nobel for him to walk, to struggle against the chair, but he didn’t think that “nobility” requirement existed for other disabled people. I asked why he thought it was negative to be in a wheelchair for himself, but no... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1179705 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:02:50 +0100 1179705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=941877&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D257 I’ve been ranting about behavioral treatment of disability (in general, not in the “ ABA” sense) for quite some time.It seems some people cannot grasp the idea that behavioral treatment only helps behavioral issues.  This creates a whole “morality” around disability that is incredibly harmful to actual disabled people.  Yes, harmful.This is a pervasive social prejudice, present in nearly every social circle.  It’s where myths such as “it’s more heroic to struggle to walk, hoping for the impossible, rather than ‘accept’ a wheelchair” come from.  It’s where myths such as, “My kid is lazy and needs to be forced to speak, so alternative communication systems will be harmful to him in the long term” come fro... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=941877 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:20:30 +0100 941877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=932055&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D256 I use some assistive technology. Some of it, like my Lightwriter, helps me with my disability. Other technology, like my Hitchin’ Rods, help me with activities I enjoy yet would have trouble doing without some help - but not because of disability (the rods help a person hitch a trailer to a vehicle without a person helping. There’s no stigma associated with my ownership of the Hitchin’ Rods, and in fact when someone suggested I buy them, I responded very positively, as I think most people would - I was happy for a suggestion that helped me out with some small part of my life. Yet, the reaction to having someone suggest assistive technology to help with a disability is often very negative. Telling someone that a speech device might help them communicate better often result... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=932055 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 02:20:23 +0100 932055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=872187&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D237 Answer whichever one is easier: 1. Explain the difference between Calcium EDTA and non-Calcium EDTA (and why this difference is significant). Explain why neither EDTA will actually remove mercury from the brain, and explain why calcium released into the active bloodstream from EDTA can end up not being excreted, but instead adding to the brain burden of mercury. 2. In simple language, what are the government funding (in your local area) rules for an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device that may be necessary for an 8 year old child enrolled in a government funded school? This is the concern I have with much advocacy from autistic people, at least online. I agree 100% that chelation is bad, that mercury cannot cause autism, it wasn’t the MMR either, that good science... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=872187 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:58:08 +0100 872187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=733825&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D210 At Autreat this year, I noticed a peculiar thing (confirmed by people who talked to me during and after Autreat). Because I’m a part-time communication device user, people assumed that when I was using my device I didn’t desire as much communication - almost as if I was wearing Autreat’s “red badge” (which tells people who have trouble reading body language that the wearer does not desire social contact). People told me that they thought I looked stressed when I was using my communication device, and felt it best (for my sake) to leave me alone. Of course what this meant is that I got left alone, due to my different body language (use of a communication device), when it was very likely that I didn’t want to be left alone. That was the reason I wore a gre... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=733825 Sat, 14 Jul 2007 01:50:41 +0100 733825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=716644&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D204 First, a bit of definition. When I say “alternative communication user”, I’m talking about anyone that uses a non-typical form of communication for a given situation, not just speech generating devices (SGDs). So someone that uses pen and pencil, someone who gestures, someone who uses PECS, etc, would all be alternative communication users. So would I, as I use gestures, speech generating devices, specialized computer software, pen and pencil, and even people who know me really well. There are some myths people have when they see someone using alternative communication. I’d love to blow things up ala Myth Busters, but since I don’t have access to high explosives, I think I’ll stick with writing about them on my blog instead. The first myth, probably the ... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=716644 Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:22:57 +0100 716644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=531954&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D155 In case you’ve missed world events, a group of British soldiers was recently accused by Iran of being in Iranian water while conducting an inspection of a cargo ship. Britain insists that their soldiers were a bit over a mile inside of Iraqi waters, where this boarding was being done with the approval of the Iraqi government. Both the Iraqi government and the merchant vessel captain also insist that the events took place in Iraqi waters. Even so, the British sailors were taken prisoner by Iran. Fortunately they have since been released, but I want to talk a bit about what happened while they were being held by Iran. While being held by Iran, there were several statements made by the captured sailors, or at least claimed to have been made. Letters were delivered to the British from at... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=531954 Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:34:19 +0100 531954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=506404&cid=t_107819_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D145 (Yes, this may be too much information for some people, but there’s a point to it beyond discussing my toileting!) Recently, I’ve started to use an incontinence product to help me with a problem common enough that every community drug store has a wide selection of products dealing with exactly this issue. What I’ve found is that it is much less stressful now that I know if things don’t go exactly right, I won’t be dealing with a major mess to clean up - nor will my clothes stink or be wet. In other words, it’s a very practical solution for a problem, and I’m glad I’m using these products now. I’ve got one less stress in my life now. But it took quite an effort the first time I purchased them. That’s despite having, on average, sev... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=506404 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 02:18:56 +0100 506404