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Lecturer(s)
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Meier Zdeněk, Mgr. Ing. Ph.D.
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Course content
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This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of assistive technology and its use in promoting autonomy, self-sufficiency, communication, social participation and quality of life for people with disabilities, older people and others with specific needs. Emphasis is placed on a person-centred approach and on assessing the relationship between the user, their needs and abilities, the activity being performed, the environment and the technology used. The following topics are covered in particular: the definition of assistive technologies and their social and legal context; the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model; the principles of needs assessment and the selection of appropriate assistive technology; low-tech, mid-tech, high-tech and mainstream technologies that can be used as assistive technologies; assistive technologies for people with visual and hearing impairments; augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); technologies supporting mobility, cognition and activities of daily living; smart homes, sensory and wearable technologies; assistive technologies supporting ageing in the home environment; digital accessibility and universal design; the potential of assistive and digital technologies to support social inclusion; digital technologies and AI in social work; ethical issues surrounding the use of technology, in particular autonomy, informed consent, paternalism, privacy and data protection, stigma, equity and digital exclusion.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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unspecified
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of assistive technologies and to teach them to assess their use not only in terms of technical characteristics, but above all in terms of the needs, preferences and life circumstances of the individual concerned.
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Prerequisites
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unspecified
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Assessment methods and criteria
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unspecified
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Recommended literature
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Introduction https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/all-institute/what-assistive-technology.
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Laura A. Bowden Carpenter, Linda B. Johnston, Lawrence A. Beard. Assistive Technology: Access for All Students, Pearson Education, 2014..
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PBS Learning Media (http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/), Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/enable/) and Apple (http://www.apple.com/accessibility/).
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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION a UNICEF. Global Report on Assistive Technology. Geneva. 2022.
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Albert M. Cook, Janice M. Polgar and Pedro Encarnaç?o. (2020). Assistive Technologies.
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Antonio López Peláez, Gloria Kirwan. (2023). The Routledge International Handbook of Digital Social Work.. Abingdon.
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DANEMAYER, Jamie, Maryam BANDUKDA, Hasheem MANNAN a Suraj Singh SENJAM. Assistive Technologies in Aging and Disability. 2026.
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SEGAL, M.; LENS, O.; GUR, A. Perspectives on Social Work in the Digital Age. 2025.
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