Small Tech, Big Difference: Assistive Technology After Brain Injury and for Life!
From The Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast by The Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast
April 12, 2026 · 33 min · Season 6 · Episode 5
About this episode
Sharon Leahy discusses the impact of assistive technology in neurorehabilitation for individuals with brain injuries.
In this episode, Sharon Leahy shares her extensive experience in neurorehabilitation, from her work in the National Rehabilitation Hospital to her current role with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in the West of Ireland. We explore the lifelong impact of acquired brain injury in children and young people from the invisible cognitivechallenges and fatigue to the emotional adjustment experienced by families.Sharon speaks candidly about the need for community-based rehabilitation and the importance of supporting the whole family system following brain injury. A central theme of this conversation is assistive technology. Sharon demystifies what assistive technology really meanshighlighting simple, accessible tools like dictation, read-aloud features, calendar apps, and voice assistants, alongside higher-tech solutions such as environmental control systems and alternative access methods. She emphasises that technology doesn’t need to be futuristic or expensive to be powerful, sometimes the smallest adaptations can make the biggest difference. This episode is a practical and hopeful reminder that when we apply our OT lens creatively, assistive technology can enable participation, reduce…
People in this episode
Guest: Sharon Leahy
Topics covered
- assistive technology
- brain injury
- neurorehabilitation
- community-based rehabilitation
- family support
- cognitive challenges
Keywords
- assistive technology
- brain injury
- neurorehabilitation
- cognitive fatigue
- community support
- independence
- emotional adjustment
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: National Rehabilitation Hospital, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland
Places: West of Ireland
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