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Paradigm Shift

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“Assistive technology or better known as AT is any item, piece of equipment, software or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” (ATIA) Assistive technology can be as simple as a motorized chair or complex as computers that help people communicate. Some hardware would include a crutch or a prosthetic limbs to help them walk or perform basic functions such as walking. In some cases these people need to remodel their whole house to compensate for their needs. Some other hardware could be switches or special keyboards. Companies or organizations that use or help promote assistive technology would be any hospital, “Ablenet which is a worldwide organization that helps kids and adults with disabilities to live fulfilling lives.”(Ablenetinc) Also most importantly the Wounded Warrior Project is the top organization and promoter that help the public be aware of the soldiers who return home.
One of the impacts would be the advancement in prosthetics. Prosthetics now on the lower limbs have joints that imitate the motion of our knee or ankle. But prosthetics of the hands or arms can never get that feeling of our own hands such as grasping or lifting things. In twenty years or so these can actually go robotic so you can be able to use your fingers just like they used to as if the incident never happened. Not only just the upper extremities also the lower extremities as well. Give the patient the use of their toes so that they can do the things they did before their incident such as climbing or any other strenuous activities you do. Also send soldiers back into combat.
Another impact would be the advancement in communication. People now have laptops and software that help them communicate to others, being typing what they want to say and a speaker projects what they’re trying to say. In the distant future we could have a chip implanted in the mind that automatically says what’s on their mind. This could lead to not even using keyboards to type up emails or letters anymore to communicate with one another. It’ll just be a monitor and hard drive.
Another impact of assistive technology would being the advancement to ECUs or environmental control units. This could lead to homes that basically run themselves by using remotes, switches, or even voice recognition. The lights, fans, the locking, unlocking, opening and closing of doors at the sound of your voice you can also set up your appliances or electronic equipment to do the same. Such as your television, security system, microwave and stove all at the sound of your voice.
The main thing that might prevent this technology from advancing would be looking for the people that are willing to go through the operations, or if they would survive the operations, or if their life would indeed be better. The material that they use for the prosthetics may be too heavy we might not find an alloy lightweight enough for it to be comfortable. The idea of a piece of hardware implanted in your mind might not sound like a good thing and very few people would volunteer for that so many things would go wrong. Some people may not want a computer running their home, the weather in certain parts of the country may distort the signal and malfunction.

References http://www.ablenetinc.com/ http://www.ottobock.com/cps/rde/xchg/ob_com_en/hs.xsl/6853.html
http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859

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