Assistive technology can be defined as products devices and equipment which are used to help people who are having trouble functioning increase or improve their capabilities. Products of assistive technology can enable people to carry out their activities of daily living and increase independence (Gerad, 2001). To me this means equipment that makes people with disabilities lives easier as well as allowing them to do tasks without help from others. It can make everyday tasks much more simple and let them focus on more important things. This can be done with the use of a range of technologies whether it be electric wheelchairs or communication devices which allow people to talk to others.

One item that was introduced to us in our assistive technology tutorial was an apple Ipad. This device was a very interesting piece of equipment and the way it was explained to be used in practice was very cool. Ipads with wi fi cost anywhere from $799 to $1099, depending on how many GB’s you want and need, its size is 241.2 mm in length and 185.7 in width. The Ipad has many functions as it allows you to download all different kind of applications, in total it has 65,000 applications made just for the Ipad and the range is huge. With this huge range of applications you would be sure to find one that would suit almost anyone and it can be a great way to help people interact. There are many built in features the Ipad had such as camera, music, internet and emailing as well as much more. It is very light which would make it appropriate for a range of different users whether they be children or adults as well as appropriate functions for all ages.

The Ipad can the very helpful to increase the occupational capacity for the user as it is a very interactive piece of equipment within the applications it comes with things such as children’s games, help with children’s education as well as helping children interact whether it be with music pictures or words, here i have found a few videos on youtube which show how children with disabilities are able to communicate with the help of an ipad.