Who does the assistive technology benefit?

You may benefit from assistive technology (AT) if:

• You have significant difficulty being understood because of speech deficits.
• Your speech is declining and you find that people are beginning to have difficulty understanding you.
• You are unable to communicate over the phone because of speech and/or physical deficits.
• You are limited in your use of a computer because of physical limitations.
• You are limited in your control of your environment (such as using the television, radio, or other appliances) because of physical limitations.

What are the benefits?

Assistive technology provides a means of maintaining or improving functional capabilities through use of:

• Tools
• Strategies
• Software
• Devices

Although assistive technology cannot change the fact that there is a problem, it can help manage the problem so that interacting with the environment is successful.

What is AT?

Assistive technology is any item or system that is used to preserve, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. AT comes in a variety of forms.

• "High-technology" is complex technology and usually includes a computer and associated software.
• "Low-technology," such as a voice amplifier or recording device, is electronic but does not include highly sophisticated computer components.
• "No-technology" includes non-electronic tools, such as a letter, phrase, or picture board.

What can I expect?

Duke's AT Clinic offers you:

• An initial evaluation to assess your needs and abilities
• Demonstration of, and trials with, our extensive collection of evaluation equipment
• A comprehensive report, including recommendations of technology that can help meet your needs
• Assistance with funding both rental and/or purchase of equipment
• Follow up visits to help with device selection, training, and modification

What services are available?

A wide variety of assistive technology services are available. Each service includes a comprehensive evaluation to help determine the technology that would best meet your needs. In addition, follow up training and modification are available as needed.

The technology services that we provide include:

• Communication access for people with limited verbal communication skills. Various degrees of technology can help augment or provide an alternative to speech.
• Computer access for people with limited access to written communication because of physical disabilities. Specialized software, keyboard modifications, encoding techniques, and/or physical access methods can help provide you with efficient means to use a computer.
• Environmental control for people who have limited access to their environment because of physical disabilities. Modifying the way appliances can be operated and accessed can help increase your ability to manipulate the environment (for example, using your television, kitchen appliances, or telephone).
• Expectations for success: commitment to learn and use technology in your daily life.

What is the focus of the clinic?

The focus of our clinic is to assist you in finding technology options that will allow you to compensate most effectively for your disability. Our main goal is to help you maintain or increase your ability to participate in life -- whether it be communicating, using your computer, and/or achieving further control of your environment. In addition to providing services to our clients, we also:

• Maintain a multi-disciplinary staff who continually shares and develops expertise in state-of-the-art techniques and technology
• Collaborate extensively with regional and national universities, clinics, and organizations in the field of AT
• Lead state and federally funded research projects with the goal of advancing the field of AT and related services

How do I schedule an AT evaluation?

To schedule an evaluation, you must complete and return an Assistive Technology questionnaire. This will help us to individualize our evaluation to meet your needs. Contact the Division of Speech Pathology and Audiology at 919-684-3859, through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.