Browsing by Subject "Assistive Technology"

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    Increasing Technology Supports for Individuals with Disabilties
    (2023) Harris, Braegan R.; Bednarski, Julie; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Renie, Colleen
    Occupational therapists (OTs) are qualified to recommend forms of technology based on an individual’s specific needs to enhance occupational performance. If technology is facilitating and promoting independence, it is referred to as assistive technology (AT). The use of technology, specifically smart devices within a home, provides an environment where an individual can easily be successful without the help of a physical person. It is determined that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that utilize smart technologies have positive work-related outcomes, increased self-determination and well-being, and participate in more activities, which is supported by literature. Thus, the capstone site identified that they would like to incorporate smart technologies more frequently in the lives of adults with I/DD to facilitate independence when staff and/or family is not available. However, barriers to technology include the lack of time, the lack of awareness of devices, and the lack of appropriately identifying technologies for an individual’s skill level. The purpose of this project was to identify technology supports and increase the use of technology in the everyday lives of individuals with I/DD. The capstone student provided the capstone site with educational resources, technology supports based on assessment outcomes, and in-services to increase the knowledge and awareness of technology within this setting. The technology programming was supported by positive responses from the post-survey following the in-service. Based on the barriers, the capstone student recommends additional in-services and technology sessions for hands-on learning experience to sustain the technology program.
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    Usability and Vibration Analysis of a Low-Profile Automatic Powered Wheelchair to Motor Vehicle Docking System
    (MDPI, 2023) Lee, Chang Dae; Daveler, Brandon J.; Candiotti, Jorge L.; Cooper, Rosemarie; Sivakanthan, Sivashankar; Deepak, Nikitha; Grindle, Garrett G.; Cooper, Rory A.
    The QLX is a low-profile automatic powered wheelchair docking system (WDS) prototype developed to improve the securement and discomfort of wheelchair users when riding in vehicles. The study evaluates the whole-body vibration effects between the proposed QLX and another WDS (4-point tiedown system) following ISO 2631-1 standards and a systematic usability evaluation. Whole-body vibration analysis was evaluated in wheelchairs using both WDS to dock in a vehicle while riding on real-world surfaces. Also, participants rated the usability of each WDS while driving a wheelchair and while riding in a vehicle in driving tasks. Both WDSs showed similar vibration results within the vibration health-risk margins; but shock values below health-risk margins. Fifteen powered wheelchair users reported low task load demand to operate both WDS; but better performance to dock in vehicles with the QLX (p = 0.03). Also, the QLX showed better usability (p < 0.01), less discomfort (p’s < 0.05), and greater security compared to the 4-point tiedown while riding in a vehicle (p’s < 0.05). Study findings indicate that both WDS maintain low shock exposure for wheelchair users while riding vehicles, but a better performance overall to operate the QLX compared to the 4-point tiedown system; hence enhancing user’s autonomy to dock in vehicles independently.