Assistive Technology Lab has Vast Gadget Collection

Tap Wearable Keyboard 

April 18, 2023

Olivia Belbute, Contributing Writer

Have you ever been to the UMF Assistive technology lab on campus? There are low tech and high tech items ranging from adaptive scissors to communication devices. 

The AT lab is located at the Education Center in the Spencer Curriculum Materials Center. According to the AT website the collection serves as a resource for UMF students, faculty, staff, and to the community. The AT collection “provides a place to view assistive technology (AT) devices, to receive instruction in the use and evaluation of the equipment, and to obtain information about AT in general.” 

There are many different categories of devices in the lab including: creative arts, movement, switches, adapted items, sensory, audio/visual, communication, life skills, music, mathematics, computers, science and literacy. 

Assistive technology has a wide range of costs and many insurance companies do not cover assistive technology devices for those with disabilities. Many people with disabilities that could benefit from having these devices either have to pay out of pocket or are not able to get them at all. 

Many assistive technology devices help people with disabilities in their everyday lives. Some of the devices that are at the AT lab are basic everyday things that people use in their everyday lives that are adapted for individuals with disabilities. For example, there is a device that is a bendable soup spoon that can help individuals that have fine motor impairments be able to use a spoon that works for them instead of having to get help with being fed. Another device that the AT lab has is called a Tap wearable keyboard. The way that it works is the movement of certain fingers correlates to different letters. This device helps those who may not be able to position their wrists enough to type on a keyboard.  

“In 2021 the national average of students ages 3-22 who were in special education was 14.9%,” According to UMF professor and AT Lab Director Dr. Grumstrup stated. 

She also stated that based on 2021 data Maines rate of students in special education is approximately 5% higher than the national average. 

“Despite a documented increase in the students receiving IEP services in our state, there is no data indicating how many students use AT in the same way there is data on the types of therapies students get, educational placement, disability category, etc.” 

The assistive technology lab is open Monday-Friday from 9AM-5PM. You can find more information and see a listing of the AT items at at4maine.org.