Assistive Technology and Service Dogs
What is a Service Dog?
The ADA defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. For more information visit the ADA site http://www.mass.gov/ago/consumer-resources/your-rights/civil-rights/disability-rights/information-about-service-animals.html 3 Types of Assistance Dogs:
Guide Dogs: Assist blind and visually impaired people by avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs and steps, and negotiating traffic. The harness and U-shaped handle fosters communication between the dog and the blind partner. Hearing Dogs:
Assist deaf and hard of hearing individuals by alerting them to a variety of household sounds such as a door knock or doorbell, alarm clock, oven buzzer, telephone, baby cry, name call or smoke alarm. Service Dogs: Help ease many different types of disabilities. They can be trained to work with people who use power or manual wheelchairs, have balance issues, have various types of autism, need seizure alert or response, need to be alerted to other medical issues like low blood sugar, or have psychiatric disabilities. For more information on the special training of each service http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/about-us/types-of-assistance-dogs/service-dog/ |
How is technology linked with assistance dogs?
Today’s technology has allowed people with disabilities to enhance the quality of their lives with a sense of freedom and independence How is technology linked with Dogs ?
Assistance dogs provide specific services to their handlers; service dogs can actually communicate with their handlers through technology now and act in emergencies. Assistance dogs provide specific services to their handlers, and enhance the quality of their lives with a sense of freedom and independenc Types of Technology Computerized vests: In emergency's a mechanical lever on the vest can be pulled. A audio message will speak- “My handler needs you to come with me?”. GPS: In emergency’s a SOS alert can also be triggered and with GPS coordinates. Watch Melody Jackson’s TED Talk as she discusses how service dog can keep people safer through technology |