Undergraduate - UnitOCC4121 - Adaptive and Assistive Technology

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Synopsis

Assistive technology promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they otherwise would have great difficulty or not be able to accomplish. This unit will involve problem solving and clinical reasoning to help the students to develop into competent assistive technology professionals and providers. The course will consist of information relating to social and political aspects of people with disability and technology. The areas of Seating and Positioning, Mobility, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Daily Living Technologies and Assistive Technology Access will be studied in detail. Students will choose one area for their first assignment, and will attend 2 separate clinics each of 4 hours duration to observe clinical practice.

Outcomes

At the completion of this course, students will:

1. Describe a range of clinical conditions for which various assistive technologies are applicable;
2. Evaluate barriers and enhancers created by using assistive and adaptive technologies for disabled people;
3. Integrate the social and political aspects of disability with reference to assistive and adaptive technologies;
4. Develop and describe appropriate assistive technology provision for clients with specific conditions, supported with sound clinical reasoning;
5. Demonstrate skill at assessing, applying for funding and prescribing a range of Assistive Technology Devices for clients in everyday practice;
6. Critically discuss the implementation of the principles of adaptive and assistive technology in the areas of: Seating and Positioning, Mobility, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Daily Living Technologies and Assistive Technology Access;
7. Display specialist information in one of the areas of Seating and Positioning, Mobility, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Daily Living Technologies and Assistive Technology Access;
8. Demonstrate professional competence in searching and summarising (verbally and in writing) the scientific literature on a specific topic related to assistive technology.

Assessment

Assessment includes 80% attendance requirements, a 20 minute presentation at a seminar, one 1000 word and one 3000 word essay as well as a one hour written content examination.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Rachael McDonald

Contact hours

40 hours attendance in lectures/practica (block mode), 4 hrs clinic attendance (over 2 separate occasions), 16 hrs seminar attendance.

Prerequisites

Completion of first year of an undergraduate programme.