Page 11 - LESSION 22.pmd

Early Identification and Intervention

22.4 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUPPORTING
INCLUSION

When children with disabilities are given opportunities to flourish like all other Notes
children, they have the potential to lead fulfilling lives and to contribute socially,
culturally and economically. One of the most important ways for children with
disabilities to flourish is through their access to assistive technology.

Assistive technology refers to “any item, piece of equipment, or product system,
whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase,
maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
Assistive technology includes products and related services that contribute to the
functioning of children with disabilities. They promote children’s development
and health, as well as their participation in various activities of life. Assistive
devices and technologies are those whose primary purpose is to maintain or
improve an individual’s functioning and independence to facilitate participation
and to enhance overall well-being. They can also help prevent impairments and
secondary health conditions. Examples of assistive devices and technologies
include wheelchairs, prostheses, hearings aids, visual aids, and specialized
computer software and hardware that increase mobility, hearing, vision, or
communication capacities.
Assistive technology can enhance the quality of life of both children and their
families through communication, mobility, self-care, household tasks, family
relationships, education, and engagement in play and recreation.

To improve access to assistive technology, all related stakeholders need to come
together for the provision of assistive technology. Appropriate assistive technology
can be a powerful tool to increase children's independence and improve their
participation. It can help children become mobile, communicate more effectively,
see and hear better, and participate more fully in learning and play activities.

Providing assistive technology to children as early as possible will facilitate their
development and prevent secondary conditions such as deformities.

22.4.1 Examples of Assistive Technologies

Some examples of assistive technologies are:

• Mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, crutches,
prosthetic devices, and orthotic devices
• Hearing aids to hear or hear more clearly
• Braille, speech-audio recorders or screen-reader for visually impaired

• Cognitive aids, including computer or electrical assistive devices, to help
with memory, attention, or other challenges
• Computer software and hardware, such as voice recognition programs, screen

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 229