Adaptive Technology

I enjoyed learning more about adaptive technology throughout this assignment. It was neat to get new perspectives on the topic through the TED talk, as well as the podcast about driving independence. Something that stood out to me in the TED talk was that there are so many adaptions to be made within the technology realm and how vastly it can impact individuals. Previously, I had not considered the automatic door and why it was invented. Not everyone has the ability to turn a door knob on their own, so the advancement made through the automatic door was huge. I thought the speaker's idea to use google glasses within movie theaters so that those who cannot hear can read the script as the movie plays was an incredible idea. These kinds of adaptions can greatly benefit the lives of many, and allow them to fulfill the occupations that are important to them. In the podcast I listened to, Debbie Hansen described how she always meets the clients where they are. Not only are the client factors important to consider, but the environment is as well. She emphasized that she is not trying to change the person, and accepts them as they are. This spoke to me, as this is one of the core values in occupational therapy and is a core value in my personal life. There are many individuals with disabilities that would be greatly benefitted by adaptions made in their environment, because these can allow them to perform tasks and accomplish goals. This was an incredibly eye opening lesson for me and it made me excited for the future as technology continues to advance.