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Ciot C
Pietro, age 7, motor disability: improving independence in communication
Editorial data: Portale SIVA Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus
Abstract: Pietro is 6 years old and he is affected by dystonic quadriplegia and impaired upper limb functionality; he can articulate just a few words, but shows a good level of comprehension. This paper describes the way towards autonomy that the child, his family and the caregivers experienced together. At the beginning, parting from the mother was a great effort for the children, who expressed his discomfort rejecting unknown people and environments. Later, the emotional instability gradually decreased; Pietro became conscious of his abilities, he found fulfilment in them and his interests increased. Therefore it was possible to start a project aiming to the evaluation of assistive devices allowing Pietro to interact with the environment and actively take part in educational activities. An orthosis, keeping the thumb and the wrist aligned, was prescribed for the less impaired arm. In this way Pietro, who was already able to use a device with automatic scansion, could use a communication aid whose vocal output was activated by the pressure of a button. Besides, a multimedia "open" software for the creation of customized educational unities was chosen. Finally, Pietro was given a postural wheelchair allowing the carriage of the communicator and the use of the computer without tiring transfers from the push-chair to the wheelchair.
Year of publication: 2005
Type of document: Case studies/experiences
Last update: February 2005
Pietro, age 7, motor disability: improving independence in communication
Editorial data: Portale SIVA Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus
Abstract: Pietro is 6 years old and he is affected by dystonic quadriplegia and impaired upper limb functionality; he can articulate just a few words, but shows a good level of comprehension. This paper describes the way towards autonomy that the child, his family and the caregivers experienced together. At the beginning, parting from the mother was a great effort for the children, who expressed his discomfort rejecting unknown people and environments. Later, the emotional instability gradually decreased; Pietro became conscious of his abilities, he found fulfilment in them and his interests increased. Therefore it was possible to start a project aiming to the evaluation of assistive devices allowing Pietro to interact with the environment and actively take part in educational activities. An orthosis, keeping the thumb and the wrist aligned, was prescribed for the less impaired arm. In this way Pietro, who was already able to use a device with automatic scansion, could use a communication aid whose vocal output was activated by the pressure of a button. Besides, a multimedia "open" software for the creation of customized educational unities was chosen. Finally, Pietro was given a postural wheelchair allowing the carriage of the communicator and the use of the computer without tiring transfers from the push-chair to the wheelchair.
Year of publication: 2005
Type of document: Case studies/experiences
Last update: February 2005
Andrich R
Communication devices for people with disabilities
Editorial data: Portale SIVA Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi
Abstract: The article contains a detailed introduction to communication aids and describes the main types of assistive devices that allow communication, writing and environmental control.
Year of publication: 2006
Type of document: Not published
Last update: May 2013
Communication devices for people with disabilities
Editorial data: Portale SIVA Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi
Abstract: The article contains a detailed introduction to communication aids and describes the main types of assistive devices that allow communication, writing and environmental control.
Year of publication: 2006
Type of document: Not published
Last update: May 2013
Besio S
The assistive technology counselling: a systematic description
Editorial data: Dispense Corso di Perfezionamento "Tecnologie per l'Autonomia" Università Cattolica e Fondazione Don Gnocchi
Abstract: (text automatically translated from Italian) Lesson in slides that introduces the principles of the systemic counselling and of it enunciates the lines guides fundamental. Concept key of the ***trattazione is the figure of the adviser seen like part of a system, governed from very precise reading desks, that meeting to a change process can go. In such particular process importance is recognized to the communication is in the content aspects, is in those of relation.
Year of publication: 2006
Type of document: Lectures
Last update: June 2006
The assistive technology counselling: a systematic description
Editorial data: Dispense Corso di Perfezionamento "Tecnologie per l'Autonomia" Università Cattolica e Fondazione Don Gnocchi
Abstract: (text automatically translated from Italian) Lesson in slides that introduces the principles of the systemic counselling and of it enunciates the lines guides fundamental. Concept key of the ***trattazione is the figure of the adviser seen like part of a system, governed from very precise reading desks, that meeting to a change process can go. In such particular process importance is recognized to the communication is in the content aspects, is in those of relation.
Year of publication: 2006
Type of document: Lectures
Last update: June 2006
Eustat Consortium
Go for it: a user manual on Assistive Technology
Editorial data: Milano: European Commission, 1999
Abstract: This book is a basic educational package to be used directly by end-users of Assistive Technology or as a textbook for educational initiatives. It is written in plain, easy-to-understand language. It is divided into eight chapters that progressively lead the reader from a basic understanding of Assistive Technology (AT), how to choose it and how to seek advice to a deeper insight into the implications of AT at both individual and social level. In this way, the manual is helpful to novice and expert users alike. It can also assist readers in their personal growth towards more in-depth knowledge, which can be used not only for improving personal autonomy, but also for helping others by acting as peer counsellors. After some introductory considerations, three chapters (Be prepared for the process of getting AT; Choosing and getting AT; and The service delivery system) offer methods for analysing one's own daily life activities in order to identify areas where AT can be useful; they also highlight aspects the user should be aware of when seeking external advice or accessing a public service delivery system. Concrete examples are offered by the chapter People and AT: some stories of success, that illustrate how AT could solve problems in real life for five persons with disabilities. A comprehensive description follows (chapter Knowing AT) of existing AT products and services, together with many practical examples and pictures. Chapter Information resources and personal advice on AT describes information tools, information sites, and other possible sources of advice that can be sought when choosing AT. In the chapter For you who want to know more the focus shifts from an individual perspective to a social one, so as to understand the impact of AT on society, to communicate better with professionals and other stakeholders, and to be ready to keep pace with future developments. The final chapter (The next challenge: from user to peer counsellor) offers ideas, methods and tips for those expert users who wish to make their experience available to novice users.
Year of publication: 1999
Type of document: Manuals or books
Last update: June 2008
Go for it: a user manual on Assistive Technology
Editorial data: Milano: European Commission, 1999
Abstract: This book is a basic educational package to be used directly by end-users of Assistive Technology or as a textbook for educational initiatives. It is written in plain, easy-to-understand language. It is divided into eight chapters that progressively lead the reader from a basic understanding of Assistive Technology (AT), how to choose it and how to seek advice to a deeper insight into the implications of AT at both individual and social level. In this way, the manual is helpful to novice and expert users alike. It can also assist readers in their personal growth towards more in-depth knowledge, which can be used not only for improving personal autonomy, but also for helping others by acting as peer counsellors. After some introductory considerations, three chapters (Be prepared for the process of getting AT; Choosing and getting AT; and The service delivery system) offer methods for analysing one's own daily life activities in order to identify areas where AT can be useful; they also highlight aspects the user should be aware of when seeking external advice or accessing a public service delivery system. Concrete examples are offered by the chapter People and AT: some stories of success, that illustrate how AT could solve problems in real life for five persons with disabilities. A comprehensive description follows (chapter Knowing AT) of existing AT products and services, together with many practical examples and pictures. Chapter Information resources and personal advice on AT describes information tools, information sites, and other possible sources of advice that can be sought when choosing AT. In the chapter For you who want to know more the focus shifts from an individual perspective to a social one, so as to understand the impact of AT on society, to communicate better with professionals and other stakeholders, and to be ready to keep pace with future developments. The final chapter (The next challenge: from user to peer counsellor) offers ideas, methods and tips for those expert users who wish to make their experience available to novice users.
Year of publication: 1999
Type of document: Manuals or books
Last update: June 2008