Assistive Technologies and Strategies Flashcards

An individual with a significant mobility impairment, who can only reliably control their head movement, needs to operate a computer. Which of the following assistive technologies would be most appropriate for this user to select items on the screen?

Answer: A switch device paired with a scanning interface

A switch device, which can be activated by a simple motion like a head tilt or puff of air, allows a user to interact with a computer when paired with a scanning interface. The interface highlights items on the screen one by one, and the user activates the switch to make a selection. This is a primary method for computer access for individuals with severe motor limitations.

Which of the following best distinguishes a cochlear implant from a hearing aid?

Answer: Cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the inner ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve, while hearing aids amplify sound.

The fundamental difference lies in their mechanism. Hearing aids work by making sounds louder (amplification) for the ear's existing structures to process. Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that bypass damaged hair cells in the cochlea and directly stimulate the auditory nerve with electrical signals, which the brain interprets as sound.

A student with dysgraphia struggles with the physical act of writing but has no difficulty generating ideas and structuring sentences. Which of the following is an example of a low-tech assistive technology strategy that could directly support this student's needs in a classroom setting?

Answer: A pencil with a specialized grip

A pencil grip is a low-tech tool designed to help individuals who have difficulty with the motor skills required for handwriting. It provides a simple, non-electronic adaptation to a standard writing tool, making it easier to hold and control. The other options are examples of high-tech assistive technology.

What is the primary function of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices?

Answer: To supplement or replace speech for individuals with communication impairments.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) encompasses a range of strategies and tools, from simple picture boards to complex speech-generating devices, designed to help individuals who have difficulty with spoken or written communication. They either supplement existing speech (augmentative) or provide a replacement for it (alternative).

A user who is blind is navigating a long webpage using a screen reader. To get an overview of the page structure and find a specific section quickly, which keyboard command would be most efficient?

Answer: Pressing the 'H' key to navigate between headings.

Screen readers like JAWS and NVDA allow users to navigate by semantic elements. Pressing the 'H' key jumps the focus from one heading to the next, which is the most efficient way to skim the content and understand the document's structure, assuming the page is properly coded with heading levels (, , etc.).

Which of the following scenarios describes the use of an adaptive strategy rather than an assistive technology?

Answer: A person with dyslexia changes the font and background color settings on a website to improve readability.

An adaptive strategy involves modifying one's method or environment to accomplish a task, often using built-in features. Changing display settings like font and color is a strategy to make content more accessible. The other options describe the use of a specific tool or device (assistive technology) to perform a function that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.