‘Assistive technologies can either be high-tech or low-tech’

A visiting professor from Hawaii emphasized the importance of being aware about the different assistive technologies that are available for people with disabilities.

“If somebody has a disability and can’t do something, what can we use around us to create a form of assistive technology to help them?” University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies associate professor Kelly D. Roberts said in an interview on Monday.

Roberts is one of the presenters at the 2011 CNMI Assistive Technology Symposium held at the Hibiscus Hall of Fiesta Resort and Spa in Garapan.

An assistive technology device is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”

Roberts, who is also the director of the Pacific Basin University Centers on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the Northern Marianas College and American Samoa Community College, said that assistive technology refers to both high-tech and low-tech devices.

According to Roberts, the public should “not always look into” high-tech devices alone. Instead, she encouraged people to become “increasingly aware of the technologies that are out there” and even use human ingenuity “to create things and enable ourselves to help using what we have around us.”

Roberts, who has visited CNMI several times in the last three to four years, noted an increase in awareness in the community regarding assistive technology.

“It seems to me as though it is increasing and I’m so happy to see the different agencies come in together and working collaboratively,” she told Saipan Tribune.

Collaboration among different agencies, Roberts said, is very important and for this to happen in the CNMI “is a step definitely in the right direction.”

Roberts said that agencies working together can help on many levels such as sharing of expenses and service providers.

“A lot more can get done when you’re doing it as a team. If everybody is doing everything individually, then things are done in isolation and you don’t even have sometimes a complete package of support for an individual with disabilities,” she explained.

Ray Diaz of the CNMI Council for Developmental Disabilities said the 2011 Assistive Technology Symposium is a collaboration among partner agencies, including the council, the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc., Trangkilu Alternative Financing Program, University Centers for Excellence and Developmental Disabilities, and the Coalition for Anti-Stigma on Mental Health Group.

Some 50 individuals and about seven assistive technology vendors participated in the symposium held in celebration of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Diaz said they will also bring the symposium to Tinian today at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino and to Rota at the Rota Resort on Friday.

“We just hope that more people from our community come out and participate. It’s a free event and this is something that they can learn about assistive technology devices and equipment because not all of us are aware that it’s there and it’s right in front of us but we don’t know it,” he added.

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