Disability Action Center NW, Inc.

North Idaho Assistive Technology Project
By Krista Kramer, Indepdent Living Advocate
Contact this Author

Coeur d’Alene Hand Therapy and Healing Center is excited about working with the University of Idaho to be an Assistive Technology demonstration project for North Idaho.

Assistive Technology, also called Assistive Tech or “AT” can assist individuals of all ages to live more productive and satisfying lives. Assistive technology can be as simple as a large handle on a spoon or a bath bench. It may be as complicated as a voice-recognition computer. Equipment, resources and evaluation are available at the site to help a wide variety of people. For example:

1. Vision and Hearing
Life can be easier and safer. Large telephone keys, enlargers for television and printed materials or possibly computer programs that scan a book and provide an audio version can help people with low vision. Amplification devices or lights to alert those who are hard of hearing are available.

2. Injured Workers
AT is part of ergonomics (fitting the workstation to the worker). For example, an adapted keyboard, a different kind of mouse or even voice recognition software programs can be used with proper positioning and a stretching program to help workers be more productive and avoid injury.

3. Education
Assistive Tech is used to help children and young adults with a variety of learning disabilities and physical limitations. Therapists work with parents and educators using Assistive tech to help with physical disabilities, life skills and education.

4. Aging
Our aging population can use Assistive tech to provide a better quality of life and to stay in their own home longer by providing aids to help with dressing, bathing and other daily skills. As people have become more comfortable with computers they are uses to help them pay bills, provide entertainment and be a valuable link to family, friends, work and the world at large.

Many items are available for demonstration at the North Idaho site. If we do not have them they may be available through the statewide library or we can provide you with resources to contact or places these items can be purchased. We encourage people to call for information or schedule a time to visit the site. If a full evaluation is needed it can be scheduled with a therapist.

A more unusual item that has been popular this summer is a wheelchair with huge wheels, which is designed to go over sand. It has allowed people to use the beach this summer who have never been able to do that before. That is what AT is about! For further information, contact:

CDA Hand Therapy & Healing Center
2448 Merritt Creek Loop
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
(208) 664-2901