Video Description & Transcript:
  AT: Role of the Individual

Caption: [AT: Role of the Individual]

A series of people are shown using a variety of assistive technology devices in a computer lab.

Doug: “Each person with a mobility impairment has fairly unique needs. There isn’t any specfic blanket technology that’s going to cover everybody.”

Doug is sitting in a office with a window behind him that views the computer lab.

Doug: “Some people may have limited use of one hand, others may need specific positioning for a chair, they may experience fatigue, so those things need to be taken into consideration as a unique adaptation for each person.”

Narrator: “An individual’s mobility impairment may or may not be obvious to others, and people with similar medical conditions may need different types of adaptive technology. The important thing is to work closely with the person using the person using the computer to figure out the best fit.”

Andrew: “Pay attention to the individual and what he or she needs, both through observation of him or her in the actual environment in which the technology will be, is being used, and also through consultations with the individual.”

Andrew talks while facing the camera and is also shown at his computer using speech recognition software.
Another series of different people using many devices is shown. Devices highlighted include a trackball, power wheelchair, joystick, keyguard, sip and puff headpiece, and desk elevating tool.

Narrator: “The most important part of selecting adaptive technology is to recognize the needs of the individual using it. The best adaptations are the ones you choose yourself. It’s all about personal success.”

[Used with permission from:
DO-IT
University of Washington
206-685-DOIT (Voice/TTY)
206-221-4171 (FAX)
http://www.washington.edu/doit
doit@u.washington.edu
Director: Sheryl Burgstahler, Ph.D.

These clips are from “Working Together: Computers and People with Mobility Impairments.”Copyrighted 2000]