Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice

by Albert M. Cook, Janice Miller Polgar, Pedro Encarnacao

Master the assistive strategies you need to make confident clinical decisions and help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Based on the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model developed by Al Cook, Sue Hussey and Jan Polgar, Assistive Principles & Practice, 5th Edition, provides detailed coverage of the broad range of devices, services, and practices that comprise assistive technology. This new text offers a systematic process for ensuring the effective application of assistive technologies — and focuses on the relationship between the human user and the assisted activity within specific contexts. It features over 30 new photos and illustrations, as well as, updated chapters and case studies that reflect current technology.

Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) framework locates assistive technology within common, everyday contexts for more relevant application. Focus on clinical application guides application of concepts to real-world situations. Study questions and chapter summaries in each chapter help assessment of understanding and identification of areas where more study is needed. Coverage of changing AT needs throughout the lifespan emphasizes how AT fits into people’s lives and contributes to their full participation in society. Principles and practice of assistive technology provide the foundation for effective reasoning. Ethical issues content provides vital information to guide AT service delivery. Explicit applications of the HAAT model in each of the chapters on specific technologies and more emphasis on the interactions among the elements make content even easier to understand. New! Thoroughly updated chapters to reflect current technology and practice. New! Expanded discussion on assistive robotics and smart technologies. New! Review of global initiatives on Assistive Technology. New! Updated art program with 30+ new photos and illustrations. New! Updated case studies to reflect changes in technology and practice since last edition.

Genres: Nonfiction

474 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[Patricia Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a requirement for class. The topics are presented poorly with outdated tech. Otherwise, this book gives great context and direction if you wish to pursue more information.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated and all the information presented in the book was available on the internet.

[Kass James · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is the textbook on the subject, it's not laid out in the most accessible format.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be the only text book I've ever read cover to cover. I used it to prepare for an exam, so my purpose was different than if I were taking a class. For this reason, I found some of the repetitiveness of the book frustrating. Some chapters are better written than others. The cognition chapter was the one I found to be the worst. Also, I wish there was an index that covered potential responses to the case studies so you could check if you were properly analyzing the situations. Those things aside, it was a very good comprehensive resource and several excellent links included for more information.

[Mills College Library]

617.033 C7711 2015

[Nicole]

This book is a snoozer but its to help prepare for my ATP Exam