how long an activity takes or how long it takes until the next ac- tivity begins, is very difficult. Some persons with a visual impair- ment are unable to see light which also means that experiencing the sun going up or down can make it challenging to maintain a night and day cycle. There are so many technological possibilities. Solutions do not need to be big or grand to have an effect. Even the smallest type of technology can have a big impact. Technological solu- tions can be divided into three categories. Consumer technolo- gy, assistive technology and ‘blind tech’- technology especially developed for people with a visual impairment. We always try to look for solutions in consumer technology first. That doesn’t
mean we rule out assistive technology. Using consumer tech- nology often means that a product is widely available, that it is well-made, not stigmatizing and often quite budget-friendly. This stands in contrast to assistive technology and customized solutions, which tend to be less readily available and might come with a higher cost. Occasionally, an existing solution needs to be adapted to achieve the best usage. Adaptations can be small such as making buttons tactile with felt or other textures, but sometimes a prod- uct needs a bigger adjustment such as making it switch accessi- ble. There are also many examples of personal challenges in which there is no ready-made solution available in consumer technolo- gy and in which we need to develop a tailor-made solution. For example, there are little to no solutions developed for people with deafblindness and complex needs. The only option is to create bespoke solutions. The challenge that must always be taken into consideration is that developing individual solutions are often costly and usually not applicable on a larger scale. Once an individual's specific challenge or issue has been iden- tified, a trial phase is initiated. Collaborating closely with an edu- cator or caregiver, the FabLab undertakes the implementation of the selected solution or product. This is followed by an evaluation in which the effectiveness of a solution is assessed. If needed, a solution is adapted or adjusted to align more precisely with the person's requirements. It is also a possibility that the chosen solu- tion or product is not a success which means we must go back to the drawing board and start from the beginning.
9
October / November, 2023 | www.closingthegap.com/membership Closing The Gap © 2023 Closing The Gap, Inc. All rights reserved.
BACK TO CONTENTS
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator