What is AT?
Nearly every American uses technology to make life easier. For people with disabilities or those “aging in place,” however, assistive technology is more than a luxury…it is an essential tool for independence in doing things. With these devices, elderly can stay in their own homes longer.
Assistive technology can be:
•A simple “low tech”, low cost hand held magnifier
•Home or vehicle modifications
•Ramps and widened doorways
•Accessible playgrounds with adapted recreational equipment
•A transition seat that helps a person move into the bathtub or bed
•A walker with wheels
•An app on the phone that reminds you to take your medicine
•A modified telephone to help those with hearing impairments
An assistive technology device is any item, piece of equipment, or product that can increase, maintain, or improve the performance of people with disabilities. An assistive technology service is one that directly helps a person with a disability select, obtain, use, or maintain an assistive technology device.
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Who Needs
Assistive Technology?
An estimated 1,270,584 Georgians, nearly 27 percent of our population, have one or more disabilities. Of these, nearly 14 percent or 656,097 have severe disabilities requiring one or more kinds of assistive technology (LaPlante et al, Technology and Disabilities, vol. 6, pp.17 -28, 1997 and the 1990 Census Report).
If you are an older individual, individual with disabilities or caregiver you would not want to miss out on this event:
Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging will be coming to Jasper Senior Center on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. to provide a community presentation and demonstration of the latest Assistive Technology (AT). Come and learn about various assistive technologies that can help in everyday living; at work, at home, and in the community.
Northeast Georgia Area Agency AT lab provides older individuals, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers, who reside in the twelve counties of Northeast Georgia Planning and Services areas, opportunities to learn more about assistive technology.
The AT lab allows those individuals that need AT and their caregivers the opportunity to observe and test items to determine if the items fit their need to maintain independence. An AT Specialist will complete one-on-one assessments and assist individuals with borrowing equipment from the lab or provide individuals with resources of items to be purchased.
If interested in attending the upcoming community presentation and demonstration, contact Northeast Georgia AT Specialists Katurah Patterson or Toshia Lewis at 1-800-474-7540.
The Jasper County Senior Center is located at 26 Mack Tillman Drive in Monticello. Its mission is to help older citizens “age well together”.