Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Academic Essay

1. (3 marks) What is the ICF, what does it provide, and why is it a significant step in
the classification of disability?
2. (5 marks) What is the HAAT model? List and briefly describe the four components
of the assistive technology portion of the HAAT model.
3. (3 marks) An architect has asked for your Universal Design advice on how to
design a client’s new kitchen. The client has a low level spinal cord injury and uses
a manual wheelchair for mobility. Upper limb function and cognition are not
affected although the client has only 50% vision in one eye due to an unrelated
condition. What design aspects would you suggest and why?
4. (5 marks) The Trace Center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, has
developed an “interface enhancement” that can be applied to electronic products
and devices so that they can be used by more people, including those with
disabilities. The enhancement is called EZ Access®. What is EZ Access®? How
does it help? Cite some examples of where EZ Access® can be used.
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5. (3 marks) Identify the environmental barriers to movement and circulation if your
mobility is impacted by:
a) A wheelchair for mobility when you are at Flinders University’s Bedford Park
campus
b) Visual impairment when you are at home,
c) Fatigue and limited ability to walk long distances when at a shopping centre.
6. (5 marks) You are required to design and specify a ramp for entry into a new
building according to AS1428.1. The building front is set back from the footpath
approximately 4m (meaning you have the room to install a ramp) but the block is
narrow – only 7.5m in width. The floor of the building is 500mm from the ground
surface.
(a) How long will your ramp have to be? Why?
(b) What are ‘landings’ on ramps and why are they necessary?
(c) Given the width of the building, how will you design an appropriate entry ramp?
(d) The building occupant would like to install a ramp that provides dual wheelchair
access (that is, two wheelchairs can pass comfortably). Can such a dual
access ramp be designed and installed given the building set back?
Substantiate your answer with a plan sketch and calculations.
7. (3 marks) Briefly list and describe the reasons why an orthotic might be prescribed.
8. (5 marks) What is the difference between a prosthetic and an orthotic? List and
briefly describe the 6 core objectives for a prosthetic. How is the activity level for
an amputee categorised?
9. (3 marks) A patient with stroke walks with a hemiplegic gait pattern. (a) Describe
the affect the patient’s hemiplegia will likely have on the length of steps taken when
walking. (b) Assuming a complete gait cycle of the patient is expressed in terms of
100%, describe the relative changes in the stance and swing phases of gait for the
patient’s affected and unaffected sides compared to a healthy person without a
walking impairment. (c) Describe the change you might expect in the relative
duration spent in double support by the patient compared to a person without a
walking impairment, and comment on why this change may occur.
10. (5 marks) The same stroke patient displays foot drop on their affected side during
the swing phase of gait and is prescribed a solid ankle foot orthosis (AFO) to assist
with their walking. (a) Describe the benefit the AFO may offer to the patient’s
walking by making reference to at least two prerequisites of gait. (b) Describe a
possible modification that could be made to the shoe worn with the solid ankle foot
orthosis that will help the patient during the stance phase of gait. What mechanism
is the shoe modification trying to replicate?
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11. (3 marks) Describe the three (3) methods of activation of a control interface.