| CODE | OCT4019 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Assistive Technology | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Occupational Therapy | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is intended to expose the students to this new, rapidly expanding field in occupational therapy, i.e. the role of assistive technology (AT) and rehabilitation products that are designed to increase the independence and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities and their carers. The study-unit will include lectures, audio-visual material, (videos, DVDs), first-hand experiences of disabled persons in the use of AT, and where possible, hands-on trials of the different equipment being discussed. Study-unit Aims: - To learn principles, concepts and methods related to assistive technologies that are useful to persons with disabilities/consumers, to increase their independence and/or give them a better quality of life at home, school, work and in the community, i.e. AT types, AT applications and AT services. - To expose the students to the different agencies, resources that exist in this field. - To identify suppliers of such technologies both locally and abroad. - To identify available funding sources especially in Malta. - To provide a basis for further studies in the field of assistive technology as related to Occupational Therapy. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Discuss the link between technology, disability and professional services; - Identify AT for persons with physical disabilities, AT for persons with sensory impairments and briefly, alternative/augmentative communication devices for persons with expressive communication and cognitive disabilities; - Be aware of information related to assistive technology such as organisations, publications and electronic resources both nationally and internationally. 2. Skills (including transferable [generic] skills): By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Match the use of AT along the various developmental milestones and performance areas, i.e. using AT with children for play and learning; AT and higher education; AT in the workplace; and AT for older persons; - Discuss and give advise re Assessment Services for the disabled person, the device, the family and the environment; the Intervention Services, i.e. implementation and training; and Support Services, i.e. funding, maintenance, repair and modification. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Cook A.M., Hussey S.M., Assistive Technologies : Principles and Practice (Mosby) - Pain H., Mc. Lellan L., Gore S., Choosing Assistive Devices : A Guide for Users and Professionals (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) - Mann W.C., Lane J.P., Assistive Technology for Persons with Disabilities (AOTA) - Bain B.K., Leger D., Assistive Technology : An Interdisciplinary Approach (Churchill Livingstone) - Church G., Glennen S., The Handbook of Assistive Technology : Equipment in Rehabilitation for Health Professionals (Chapman & Hall) - AOTA Self-paced Clinical Course, Technology and Occupational Therapy : A Link to Function (AOTA) - Disabled Living Foundation Data Hamilton Directory, (DLF). |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE OCT2021 AND TAKE OCT2042 AND TAKE OCT3026 AND TAKE OCT3046 AND TAKE OCT3060 | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Sharon Borg Anabel Cortis Samantha Scerri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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