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Technology

Boy using a communication deviceTechnology is a tool that can help kids 'connect with their worlds' by enabling them to join in their chosen activities.

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How can technology help?

  • By helping the child to communicate.
  • By giving children with disabilities a way to join in, both in the classroom and in play.
  • By making it possible for children to control electrical equipment at home.
  • By making it possible for children to move about by themselves.
  • By positioning devices or equipment to get the best use from them.

 Read about Jane's new voice 

 Read about Sally's computer solution

Where can you get help with technology?

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Who pays for it?

Who pays for the technology depends on where the child will be using the equipment and the type of equipment being requested. Technology may be purchased or loaned. Providers may include:

Finding the right technology

Once it has been agreed that technology may play a role in assisting a child, the following steps may be required to get the best available technology:

  • Carrying out an assessment – helps work out what the child needs.
  • Consulting technology experts – ask your therapist whether a specialist team may be able to provide some new ideas about latest technology.
  • Trying before buying - it is important to try out technology equipment before making the final decision as to whether or not it can meet the child’s needs. Trials can occur in any location, for example, at home, child-care centre or school.
  • Checking out the Equipment - What do I need? information on this site.
  • Checking out the Assessment page of this site.

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Loaning technology equipment

Contact a therapist if you are interested in a technology loan. Loans may be available from:

Finding solutions when technology isn’t working

 Technology is great when it works, but sometimes, it doesn’t!

Therapists are available to assist with such problems. Depending on the type of difficulty being experienced, different people may need to be contacted to ask for help.

For children registered with Novita

Contact the child's therapy team. They may either be able to help you immediately or will ask a technology specialist for help.

For children not registered with Novita

  • If you believe that the cause of the problem is technical, contact the supplier of your equipment and ask for help
  • If you think that some additional training in use of your equipment would be of assistance, contact Novita Equipment Services - a fee applies for training services.

Often, problems can be fixed quickly if it is a difficulty that has been solved before.


Disclaimer Detail: The above information on is of a general nature only and does not constitute advice. Novita Children's Services makes no representations, express or implied, as to the accuracy, usefulness, suitability or application of the information to a child's particular circumstances. Use of the information above is at your sole risk, and you should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the information. Novita Children's Services accepts no liability for any damages or loss that may arise from the use of, or any omission from, the information provided. In using this site, you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of Use for the site. 

Glossary

Assessment

How the therapist gets to know what a child or young person needs in order to work out what assistance is required. Assessment may include asking questions about needs, examining movements, activities or behaviours.

Communication aid

An object or device that assists the child to communicate things such as basic needs, comments, questions, and so on (for example, constructed boards, charts and mechanical or electrical devices). Aids may use voice output, symbols and, or, the written word.

Communication device

An item of equipment (usually electronic) that helps the child to communicate things by selecting pictures/symbols or letters/words.

Environmental Control Devices/Units

Electronic devices that can turn on and off a single appliance (for example, a light, TV or video) or control many appliances within the home or workplace.

Independent Living Equipment Program

A program funded by the Government of South Australia that provides people with moderate and severe disabilities with a range of equipment to enable them to live and remain in the community.

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About this page

URI: http://www.novita.org.au/content.aspx?p=75

Last updated: 9 July 2009

Last reviewed: 8 October 2008

About this site

Novita provides therapy, equipment and home support services to children and young people with disability, as well as inclusion support to child care services in northern and western country regions of South Australia.

The Novita website has features that make it highly accessible for people with visual, movement and learning disability. Find out more.

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Last updated: 4 February 2010

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