For people with severe/profound and multiple disabilities, managing the basic necessities of daily life often poses myriad challenges. Despite great odds, advances in assistive technology are making a difference in these individuals' lives. Advances in using body signals and micro-movements, e.g. EMG, EEG, eye ball movement, voice or facial expressions, can interface with different controlling units to operate communication aids and computer-based systems. These are creating new opportunities for living independently, improving basic life skills, and reducing burden of care among individuals with combined motor, sensory, and intellectual disabilities resulted from critical illnesses or injuries.
This unique presentation examines how rehabilitation can improve the daily lives of even those individuals most affected by severe/profound and multiple disabilities. Interventions currently in use and in experimental stages are displayed through case studies in terms of how they work and their applicability to clients with various needs through their life span. In addition, it examines the intrinsic and extrinsic factors in choosing suitable technologies. It presents empirical evidence on the advances in improving interaction with caregivers, control of the home environment, handling self-care tasks, and other core skills.
The interventions that are innovative, respectful of the dignity of clients, and practical for ongoing use, including:
• Various microswitches in habilitation programs.• Senses controlling devices for communication and home intelligence.• Brain-computer interface technology for promoting independence.• Assistive technology for promoting ambulation.• Robotic systems for promoting movement indoors. • Assistive technology for reducing risky behaviours
User satisfaction and Model of practice related to advanced assistive technology service is explored.
