Assistive Technology

If you have a disability or injury you may use a number of assistive devices or rehabilitation equipment to aid you in and around the home.

Assistive devices are tools, products or types of equipment that help you perform tasks and activities if you have a disability, injury or are a senior. Assistive devices may help you move around, see, communicate, eat, or get dressed/undressed.

Assistive devices for mobility/ambulation can also be referred to as ambulatory aids. Ambulatory aids (eg, canes, crutches, walkers) are used to provide an extension of the upper extremities to help transmit body weight and provide support for the user.

Assistive devices can help you improve your quality of life and maintain your sense of independence. Well designed high quality assistive devices, or daily living aids, that support independent living for the handicapped and disabled, seniors, or those with a medical condition or injury should make life easier and safer for the aged and disabled. AT promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.

An assistive device could be a wheelchair, reacher, or a disability product that allows you to use a computer. If you experience difficulties performing certain tasks it's possible that an assistive device can help you overcome your problems.

Other Disability Aids Include:

Advanced technology walking products to aid people with disabilities, such as paraplegia or cerebral palsy, who would not at all able to walk or stand (exoskeletons).

Standing products to support people with disabilities in the standing position while maintaining/improving their health (standing frame, standing wheelchair, active stander).

Seating products that assist people to sit comfortably and safely (seating systems, cushions, therapeutic seats).

Walking products to aid people with disabilities who are able to walk or stand with assistance (canes, crutches, walkers, gait trainers).

Wheeled mobility products that enable people with reduced mobility to move freely indoors and outdoors (Examples: wheelchairs and scooters).

Certain devices, such as eyeglasses and hearing aids obviously require an expert's assessment, but many assistive devices for the enhancement of daily life such as wheelchairs, walkers, bath seats and grab bars are easily obtainable in general and specialty stores including online disability product websites.

You will also find pharmacy personnel are usually quite happy to provide information on a variety of other assistive products like magnifying glasses, bath seats, joint support bandages, pill organizers, canes, etc. While specialty computer stores often carry items like screen reading software that include screen enlargement features for persons with vision impairments. Voice recognition systems, modified keyboards and computer mice are also available for people with mobility and dexterity limitations.

When selecting assistive technology products for computers, it is crucial to find the right products that are compatible with the computer operating system and programs on the particular computer you will be using.

By current estimates, more than 4,000 assistive technologies have been designed for the disabled and seniors. These devices include everything from wheelchairs to a wide assortment of high-tech tools and many companies today are turning their research and development to assistive technologies.

If you think you could benefit from using an assistive device, start by consulting a health care professional, such as your doctor, pharmacist, or an occupational therapist. Find out what is available to suit your needs. You can also obtain information about assistive devices from catalogues and seniors' magazines. Don't let your disability or sensory loss infringe on your lifestyle, especially when tools and devices exist to help you overcome these obstacles.

Disability Aids and Products

Further Information Regarding Assistive Technology

Broadband Access for all Americans
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After years of experience I can still never say that I have arrived and know everything about disability or how to cope with or combat it. One thing I have learnt is that disabilities vary vastly from person to person, even if diagnosed with the same disease, disability or condition.

Thiphone for Cell Phones and Touch Screen Devices
The Thiphone is an accessory for mobile phones and netbooks that allows you to securely attach your iPhone or device to your thigh so that your hands can remain free.

Remote Control Lawn Mowers for Elderly or Disabled
Southern RobotX introduces hybrid remote control lawn mowers that are very elderly and disabled friendly with simple, one finger joystick control.

INDATA Statewide Assitive Technology Conference
Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration/Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services contracted with Easter Seals Crossroads in order to be their state's provider of the Federal Assistive Technology Act. Individuals may benefit from experiencing a basic Assistive Technology equipment demonstration.

Assisted Living Devices for Disabled - Review
In today's society all individuals, including the less able, must have capacity to interface with technical, informational, and entertainment devices used in everyday information exchange. Without this ability individuals will find themselves below the curve as they'll be anchored to such fading tools of information exchange as newspapers and other print publications.

iPods Help Kids with Aserger's Syndrome
Minnneapolis has a center that is experimenting with iPods and using them to assist kids with Asperger's syndrome, bringing hope to both the kids and their parents. One of the features of persons who have Asperger's syndrome is a struggle with social skills, one's that seem to come naturally to others.

Adaptive Clothing Reduces the Risk of Injury for Disabled People and Caregivers Assisting Them
In a recent Canadian study, two extended care facilities implemented an adaptive clothing program to see if the number of staff and patient injuries during hygiene and dressing activities could be reduced. After seamstresses made adaptations to the residents clothing, the staff learned ways to assist the residents using them.

Dyslexic Entrepreneur uses Assistive Technology to Compete in Business
Young dyslexic entrepreneur uses latest mobile assistive technology to compete in the business world. Twenty-five year-old businessman, Arran Smith, set up his IT company five years ago to provide computer services and support to local businesses and individuals.

iPhone Apps for Disability and Vision Impairments
With technology advancing faster than most of us can adapt, it is often difficult to see the usefulness of the latest gadget. The designers of the iPhone, however, have realized that their new phone can be used for more than just listening to music or playing games.

Assistive Technology - Past Present and Future
Many people equate assistive technology with sophisticated electronic devices. This report dispels the confusion around assistive technology and encourages the reader to share their vision for the future of assistive technology in a new website.

Adaptive Clothing
Adaptive clothing is defined as clothing specially designed for people with physical disabilities, the elderly, and the infirm who may have difficulty dressing themselves due to an inability to manipulate closures or due to a lack of a full range of motion required for self dressing.