Site Visits: Reviewing the Experience
NY FOUNDLING
The visit at the NY Foundling Hospital was very unique. It poses problems of access in every area of life for the children at the hospital. The Foundling hospital hosts children for months and/or years. During these terms the children are residents in the same place that they receive education and rehabilitation. From the moment that you walked into the hospital you saw adaptive technology helping to enhance the living conditions. This stretched from electrical wheel chairs, mechanical lifting machines to special switch interfaces.
SPOTS
When I recall my experience with SPOTS I think of a fitness trainer. When you go to a professional gym some people work alone and others work with trainers. They all are using the same equipment; however, those with trainers are often more productive because the trainers understand how to maximize the benefits of each exercise. Translate the “free weights” and “exercise machines” to “toys” and “playground equipment” and you have SPOTS. At this location the OT staff work as personal trainers for young children with sensory impairment. They use a lot of toys, games, and playground equipment that everyone remembers from childhood; however, in this case the OT Staff provides special attention for the children. They work to enhance all of the senses, but focus on a specialized plan for each child’s personal needs. Ultimately, I was surprised to see how much of the equipment wasn’t adapted at all, instead the general philosophy was enhancing the activity based on the child’s need.
NYU Medical Center Coming Soon, must organize another visit...
OVERALL IMPRESSION:
The overall impression of each site was good because of the potential for creation. At SPOTS I see the ability to enhance something that they have by creating an interface that allows them to change the range of audio samples and vibrations. This would help to cater to the range of each Childs need for sensory stimulation. At Foundling I see sensors working to create new or better bridges to different experiences that the children are blocked from because of accessibility issues.