Assistive Technology at Touro

Helping patients communicate, connect, and regain independence

Assistive technology can play an important role in helping people with disabilities or complex rehabilitation needs communicate, interact with their environment, and participate more independently in everyday life.

At Touro, our rehabilitation specialists incorporate assistive technology into inpatient rehabilitation, giving patients the opportunity to explore and trial different devices, access methods, and adaptive solutions as part of their recovery.

Through Touro's Assistive Technology Lab, patients can work directly with rehabilitation therapists to identify technology that supports their individual abilities, goals, and daily needs.

Introducing assistive technology during rehabilitation is about more than learning how to use a device. It's about identifying ways for patients to participate more fully in their lives.

For one person, that might mean communicating with family. For another, it may mean independently using a phone, accessing a computer, controlling something in their environment or completing an everyday activity with less assistance.

At Touro, assistive technology is part of our broader commitment to helping patients maximize function, independence, and quality of life throughout their rehabilitation journey.

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology (AT) includes equipment, devices, software, and adaptive tools designed to help person perform activities that may otherwise be difficult because of an injury, illness, or disability.

Assistive technology can range from simple, low-tech adaptations to advanced technology.

Examples may include:

• Adaptive utensils or built-up handles that make eating and gripping objects easier
• Environmental control technology that allows patients to interact with lights, televisions, and other surroundings
• Alternative ways to access computers, smartphones, and tablets
• Device mounts and positioning systems
• Specialized switches and alternative access methods
• Communication boards and alphabet boards
• Speech-generating devices and communication applications

The right solution is different for every patient. Our rehabilitation team evaluates how a person moves, communicates, and interacts with their environment to determine which tools may help increase independence.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Assistive technology also includes augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), strategies, tools, and devices that supplement or replace spoken or written communication for people who have difficulty expressing themselves.

AAC may be unaided, meaning no external equipment is required. Examples include:

• Sign language
• Gestures
• Body language
• Facial expressions

AAC may be aided, using an external tool or device. Options can range from low-tech communication or alphabet boards to high-tech speech-generating devices (SGDs) and specialized communication applications on tablets or other devices.

Our speech-language pathologists can help patients explore communication options and determine which methods best support their abilities and communication goals.

Who may benefit from assistive technology?

Assistive technology may benefit people with neurological conditions, spinal cord injuries, and other diagnoses that affect movement, communication, or a person's ability to independently access their environment.

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
• Brain Injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and stroke
• Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome (GBS)
• Other neurological or physical conditions affecting communication, mobility, or independence
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Touro's Assistive Technology Lab

Touro developed an in-hospital Assistive Technology Lab with support from Team Gleason and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to expand access to assistive technology during inpatient rehabilitation.

The lab gives our rehabilitation therapists the ability to introduce and trial a variety of technologies while patients are still participating in inpatient rehab.

Instead of waiting until outpatient rehabilitation to begin exploring assistive technology, appropriate Touro patients may have the opportunity to:

• Trial different assistive technology devices
• Compare multiple access methods
• Explore communication technology
• Test device mounts and positioning options
• Practice using technology during rehabilitation
• Identify solutions that may support greater independence after discharge

This hands-on approach allows our therapists and patients to learn together what works best before making decisions about longer-term technology needs.

Assistive technology in action: Scott's story

After two strokes left Scott Reddoch unable to speak, Touro's rehabilitation team introduced him to eye-controlled communication technology through the Assistive Technology Lab.

With the help of his therapists, Scott learned to use a speech-generating device controlled by his eye movements - giving him a new way to communicate and connect with others.

"Technology is important, but the ability of the therapist to understand the technology makes all the difference."

Read Scott's story