Assistive Technology: What It Is and Why It Matters

When people hear the term ‘assistive technology’, many immediately think of wheelchairs.
But there’s far more to it.

As part of Rocky Bay’s Advanced Technology Service, Occupational Therapist, Erica Tang, specialises in finding solutions for people whose needs go beyond standard equipment. Solutions can be anything from a modified spoon to sophisticated eye-tracking software, smart home controls and communication devices.

Although technology is central to her role, Erica says success isn’t about being a technology expert. It’s about persistence.

“You need persistence when searching for solutions. I’m thinking about how to solve problems all the time. The work can be complex, but that’s what I enjoy. Sometimes it means speaking with manufacturers, speaking to other professionals, looking at online forums or just plain research.”

Making homes smarter

Most of the time, Erica’s work involves going to a customer’s home, where she assesses the environment and supports within it, as well as the customer’s ability to use specific technology.

For example, Erica might be tasked with installing an alarm to allow the customer to call for help. She would decide whether the customer could use a press alarm, or whether something more specific is needed – like the ability to use voice activation. Quite often, Erica works on concepts that allow for more automation in the home, whether that’s automatic doors activated by an app, or a device that controls lighting or air conditioning.

Assistive technology is as much about the technology as it is about the customer. The key is seeing the potential. As Erica explains, “It’s a piece of equipment or a device that allows the person to engage with their surroundings and participate in things that they enjoy. It promotes independence. But to get to the point of knowing what assistive technology is needed, the therapist must see what potential the customer has.”

Assistive technology is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Every solution starts with a question.

“The work starts by understanding what someone wants to do and identifying the barriers standing in their way. You’ve got to have that big picture mentality, then work out what the possibilities are to get the result you want. For me, it’s about absolutely exhausting every possible potential.”

A power wheelchair, for example, can become much more than a mobility device.

“I can prescribe someone a power wheelchair, but I can also get that wheelchair to help that person to browse the website. It might allow them to text people using the joystick on their chair or access their home from inside or outside the home.”

For Erica, her natural curiosity means that her knowledge of new technology remains current – if it’s out there, she probably knows about it! Once she has a concept, she then has to work out how to set it up, with more complex ideas sometimes needing a technician to help.
According to Erica, one of Rocky Bay’s greatest strengths is its investment in specialised assistive technology resources.

“In assistive technology, we are one of the best-resourced providers in terms of what we can offer for trial.”

Many assistive technology devices cost thousands of dollars, making it difficult for individuals to purchase equipment without knowing if it will work for them.

Rocky Bay’s extensive trial equipment allows customers to test potential solutions before funding decisions are made. Erica said this opens up possibilities and can challenge assumptions about what will and will not work.

It also gives therapists greater confidence when recommending equipment, which helps ensure funding is spent wisely. That confidence can make a significant difference when preparing NDIS recommendations for specialised equipment.

Innovation in Action

Erica is currently trialling software to help support one of her long-term customers, Russell Dawson.

Russell, who has tetraplegia, has a lifelong love of writing. He said that he’s written “millions” of stories, most of them science fiction or horror. His walls are plastered with iconic movie characters, mostly from Star Wars, and he’ll quiz you on your sci-fi knowledge within 10 minutes of meeting him!

Erica has been exploring assistive technology solutions to help Russell continue to write comfortably, whether he is in bed or in his wheelchair.

Like many concepts, finding the right approach has involved trialling different options, learning from each attempt and adapting as technology evolves. Currently, Russell wears modified gloves that feature metal rods which he uses to type on the keyboard. He has a customised joystick on his wheelchair for manoeuvring. The process is fairly slow and cannot be used while in bed.

Erica is trialling some new software that is voice-activated. Through a process of voice recognition and voice prompts, Russell can tell his iPad what to write and watch his story come to life from the comfort of his bed or chair.

One of Erica’s biggest observations after working in the field for a decade is that many people who could benefit from assistive technology simply aren’t aware of what’s possible. Sometimes the biggest barrier is simply not seeing the true potential that we can offer a customer.

“It’s a skill that you learn over time with experience.”

We asked Erica if there was one particular piece of tech that she has found valuable for customers.

“There’s a disability-specific TV, with a remote box that I’ve programmed for a few of the customers here. It’s super robust and basically allows the customer to navigate the TV independently. So that’s one of my favourites because everybody loves TV.”

Whether someone wants to watch television independently, write stories, or control their home environment, assistive technology can create new opportunities. Rather than focusing only on the daily tasks undertaken by people with disability, it’s about simply asking our customers – ‘what do you like to do for fun?’

Because assistive technology isn’t just about equipment. It’s about finding the potential to engage more in what you love to do.

For more information about how we integrate assistive technology into our service, please contact the team.