A Different Kind of IT

Assistive Technology in Computer

There are many ways to describe a function. But mainly function is what relates an input to an output. A computer system is built on functions. There are four basic functions of a computer: input, storage, processing, and output. To control a computer we just need to put input properly.


According to the principle, “if a person has control over any function, it can also be used to control the computer” computer can be controlled if a person has control over any function. Well, it’s true. A computer doesn’t need all functions to control it. You can use only a keyboard or mouse to control it. Even if you are handicapped there are various assistive functions that can help control the computer.

I wanna tell a case about such a person. This is a story about Waqas Ahmed from Balakot Pakistan. Waqas suffers from cerebral palsy. A cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. He can’t use his hand or leg properly. He has even trouble speaking. Even though he is handicapped he still uses a computer with his nose through a keyboard. He started an NGO for individuals like him, who were handicapped in any way. His NGO is called ‘Pace2Life’. There is also Jared from the U.S. Who also suffers from cerebral palsy. But his whole body is handicapped. But he also uses a computer. Jared uses Assistive tech to run his own ad/website design business. He uses a sip & puff to access his computer. The sip & puff sends a signal to his control unit on his wheelchair which sends a signal to his tash switch which sends a signal to the intellikeys switch. The intellikeys switch sends a wireless signal to Jared computer that controls a software called switchXS. By which Jared chooses his option from the popup menu. He can type, control the mouse, and do anything on his computer through his Assistive tech.

Like them, there are many people who are handicapped but can use the computer through any one of computer functions or Assistive Technology. To use a computer we don’t need to use all of the computer functions. Any of them will do. This proves the principle, “if a person has control over any function, it can also be used to control the computer”.Assistive tech has come a long way & it’s still improving. I hope that Assistive Tech can improve more & get easily accessible throughout the world.