The swings and roundabouts of integrated technology: Innovative ways of using technology

Recent developments in assistive technology have seen advances in systems that optimise the independence of people with disabilities. There is now a range of products available for voice output communication, alternate computer access and environmental control systems. The questions are now not just which of these systems to select but how can these systems be made accessible to the user? How can multiple pieces of technology be accessed when the user may only have one or two reliable access sites?

At TASC, questions like these had become so common that it was evident that a set of assessment guidelines was required to guide us through the process of integrating technology. Following a review of the literature TASC developed a list of principles to consider during assessment and some additional practical implications that need to be considered for incorporating integrated systems into daily life.

One year later, we now have more experience of integration and use of our assessment guideline. In this paper we will briefly present the key elements of the assessment process and present a series of case studies that demonstrate both the success of integration and some of the challenges we have experienced to date.

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