Physically Impaired Without the technology available today the physically impaired would face more hardships then they face everyday. The technology available is beneficial because it helps people complete ordinary tasks that we accomplish with ease everyday. In the future their will be more advanced and helpful technology to make the lives of the disabled easier.

The technology for the physically impaired is also known as Adaptive Technology and Assistive Technology. Many people think assistive technology only includes computer or electronic devices. It is not always so high tech. Anything that’s serves the purpose of assisting is considered technology. For example a stick one uses to reach for something or a wheelchair. Adaptive Technology

History of Technology Adaptive technology has existed since the first human picked up a branch to help himself through rough terrain. Sophisticated technology dates back to the 6 th century when historians found an image of a wheel chair carved in a stone on a Chinese sarcophagus.

The History of the Wheelchair The first recognizable wheel chair was invented for King Phillip II of Spain. It resembled a highchair rather than a wheel chair. In 1665 one of the first self-propelled vehicles was invented by a German watch maker, Stephan Farfler. But it looked more like a present day hand cycle than a wheelchair as it was propelled by hand cranks attached to the front wheel. In 1783, Englishman John Dawson built the first wheelchair that was self propelled by pushing the wheels. His chair also had adjustable leg rests and a reclining backrest. By 1917 the first folding wheel chair was built and in the 1970’s European inventors built the first lightweight, aluminum, highly adjustable chair.

Today wheelchairs are called power chairs. The newest wheelchair is called the “iBOT”. It is built with advanced technology such as being able c to balance and run on only two of its four wheels on some surfaces and raising the user in the chair to a height comparable to a standing person. It also incorporates stair- climbing and four wheel drive features.

Technology in Schools The technology today has come a long way. It helps people with all different problems such as hearing and visual impairments. Today many colleges supply the technology to students who have disabilities. Jackson College offers Assistive Listening Devices to the students enrolled there. This is a wireless microphone and headset unit, that allows an instructor or speaker to use a wireless handheld or lapel microphone and have their speech transmitted to 1 of 6 headphone receivers in the audience or classroom.

Adaptive Phones Today thee are everyday products that we take for granted and have no trouble using such as the telephone. People with disabilities have trouble using regular phones but the inventions of assistive phones have made their lives easier. These phones are built with large buttons so the person can see them and a screen that shows what the person on the other end is saying.

Artificial Limbs The technology that has been improving rapidly for the physically impaired is artificial limbs. The first artificial limbs were discovered in a tomb in Capua, Italy, dating to 300 BC, they were made of copper and wood. Black Smiths in the 15th and 16 th centuries made artificial limbs out of iron for soldiers who lost limbs. Over the next several centuries, craftsmen began to develop artificial limbs from wood instead of metal because of the lighter weight of the material.

Advances in Technology Today artificial limbs or prosthetic limbs are much lighter and stronger than they used to be. They are made out of new plastics and carbon fiber to give them these characteristics. There are two new types of limbs being developed for the future. Doctors are looking to work with robotic limbs and limbs that have direct bone attachment. The Robotic Limbs can be programmed for a more customized feel, they are also being made to take direction directly from the human brain and turning that direction into a motion. Direct Bone Attachment is a new method of attaching the artificial limb to the body.

There are many pros to Direct Bone Attachment… Amputees have better muscle control of the prosthetic. Amputees can wear the prosthetic for an extended period of time - with the stump and socket method this is not possible. Tran femoral amputees are more able to drive a car. Pros to Direct Bone Attachment

Pros to Adaptive Technology There are many positive aspects to using assistive technology…. Helps physically impaired accomplish tasks they would not be able to do. Dependable Advanced technology is being invented all of the time so it is available to whoever needs it. continued…..

Adaptive Technology…… Provides help with communication, such as speech, writing and typing aids Help people with difficulty accessing a computer with the standard keyboard and mouse. They include software programs such as a screen reader and hardware such as a head operated mouse. Assist with daily living such as cooking, dressing,, bathing and eating Provide assistance with hearing or visual limitations such as flashing light system for the doorbell, hearing aids and closed caption decoders for TV. Provide assistance with mobility such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes. Help with missing or disabled limbs such as artificial limbs, braces, supports Allow disabled individuals to take part in sporting or leisure activities.

Cons to assistive technology There are also negative aspects to assistive technology…. Very expensive. Will not last forever. Can cause infections Using this technology will not make people the same as they once were.

How will this technology effect society? This technology can help those who have physical disabilities from birth or from accidents throughout a persons life. It helps people to accomplish tasks they would not be able to accomplish on their own. Adaptive technology has a positive effect on society by making people more independent.

Did you know that approximately 20%, or 1 out of 5 of the people in your community have a disability? People with disabilities constitute the largest minority in the country, crossing all economic classes and ethnic groups. Census 2000 counted 49.7 million people with some type of long lasting condition or disability. They represented 19.3 percent of the million people who were aged 5 and older in the civilian population - or nearly one person in five

Resources 1. Future-of-Adaptive-Technology.htmlhttp://openpr.com/news/3383/Past-Present-and- Future-of-Adaptive-Technology.html F:\adpative technology web.htm