Here are some useful terms to keep in mind:
| Low Tech |
- items that can be constructed or developed with readily accessible tools & materials
- low cost items
- Examples: using an elastic band around a jar lid to assist in opening it; longhandled shoe horn; universal cuff*; using phone books to boost the height of a keyboard
|
High Tech
|
- complex mechanisms with less apparent means of functioning and operation, i.e. the average person couldn't build it themselves
- typically rely on computer technology, embedded chips, etc.
- Examples: speaker phones; adapted keyboards; power beds
|
| Hard Technology |
- durable items that can be seen and/or felt
- Examples: all the items described above!
|
Soft Technology
|
- people and their knowledge
- Examples: manuals, help pages,You-tube videos, technical assistants
|
* to see a universal cuff and what it can do, visit: http://www.bindependent.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=snk134.
There is a YouTube video available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2sUNe_THuE