Table of Contents
Getting it all together to take it on the road:Clinical Issues in Switch Mounts
Beyond Mounting - Integration of Power Mobility with other technology
Integrated or Distributed Controls
Integrated or Distributed Controls
Getting it all together to take it on the road:
Mounting and Integration of Assistive Technology
Linda Petty, O.T.
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Overview of Workshop
Introductions, needs survey
- Mounting Checklist
- Case study
Clinical considerations in mounting AT
- Chart of types of mounts
- Components of basic mount
- Feature review of each system
Overview of mounting systems
PPT Slide
Hands- on assembly of mounts
Mixing and matching mounting systems
- Clinical, functional and safety issues
- Review of commercially available systems
- Hands-on with switch mounts
Switch mounts
Beyond Mounting- Integration of Assistive technology
PPT Slide
Principles of integration of control methods and electronics
Guest presenter from ASL
Equipment for integration- battery adapters, switch transmitters, power chair controllers
Case studies in integrated and distributed controls/systems
Device Mounting Systems
- Access Glide System
- Laptop/Communication System mount
- Simplicity Wheelchair Mount
- MyDesc and Prentke Romich systems
- Communication Station
- Daessy
Feature review:
Hands- On Practice
Assembling Daessy and Communication Station systems and attaching to power and manual wheelchairs
Simplicity, Laptop/Communication and Access Glide system mounts available
Switch mounts
Clinical Issues in Switch Mounts
Safety, esp. around face, eyes
Stability of mount so switch will not move when needed in place
Ability to move it out of place when needed
Ability to position it properly, but not have it incorrectly set up by un-trained caregivers
Choosing the correct switch for the body part, force of activation and position
Beyond Mounting - Integration of Power Mobility with other technology
Notebook computers
Augmentative communication aids
Envirnomental Controls
Integrated or Distributed Controls
- the client only has one reliable access site
- if the optimum access method is the same
- if the client and team prefer it
Consider integrated controls if
- the condition is progressive so access may become more limited
- changes in environment may require more AT
Provide for future integration of controls if
Integrated or Distributed Controls
- there is better performance than with integrated control
- access is needed from other sites than power chair, such as bed, manual chair
- physical, visual/perceptual or cognitive factors make integration less functional/successful
- personal preference or cost, technical limitations are against integration
Consider multiple control sites if
Computer Access
Can use power chair controls - ASL, Drivepoint- as a mouse emulator. Need on-screen keyboard and select option of another switch
Can use AAC device as a computer input device - Liberator, Dynavox 2
Can use ECU port of power chair controls to input single switch inputs for scanning, Morse code
Integrated Computer Usage
Can use computer to program environmental controls, such as Proxi, X-10
- usually require notebook system, sometimes with speakers/speech synthesizer
Can use computer as a face-to-face communication aid with sound capability and software- EZ Keys, Gus, TalkAbout, Handiware, Freestyle, Speaking Dynamically
Battery Life
Problem with 2 to 3 hour battery capacity of notebook systems
Not advised to take power only off of one 12 Volt power chair battery
Need to draw power evenly from the 24 volts and convert it to the power requirements of the notebook, which vary
Battery Adapters
ASL laptop computer power source converter
Send adapter from computer and specifications when ordering
Daedalus Battery Supports
new products
24 volt battery adapter
portable, rechargeable battery pack
X~tender Battery Adapter
24 Volt, dual channel converter
Both voltage outputs are adjustable from 5 - 24 volts
Wiring harnesses to connect to battery charger connection or batteries
X~tender
Provides power from wheelchair batteries for up to two of computers, speech synthesizers or AAC devices per unit
Bloorview MacMillan Centre - Ed Snell
Wireless Switch Link
Infrared transmission - ASL
Radio Frequency transmission- Bloorview Macmillan Centre
Thanks to
Dr. Geof Webb, Daessy
Byron Guisbert, ASL
Michelle Lange
Thanks to
Invacare - Tim Havel
ASL
Daessy
Millers
Words+
Thames Valley CC
Thanks to
Ablenet
Tash
Sunnyhill
Whitmyer Biomechanix