Editorials: Disability and Health Technology

Updated/Revised Date: 2022-04-14
Author: Disabled World | Contact: Disabled World (Disabled-World.com)
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Synopsis: Editorial views on news related to health and disability technology topics in the news. Assistive technology includes products and services to help people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, etc.

Main Document

Editorial views on current affairs related to health and disability technology topics in the news.

Assistive technologies (AT) are devices or equipment that can be used to help a person with a disability fully engage in life activities. Assistive technology includes products and services to help people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, etc.

AT's can help enhance functional independence and make daily living tasks easier through the use of aids that help a person travel, communicate with others, learn, work, and participate in social and recreational activities.

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990, many social barriers have been removed or reduced for people with disabilities. There is still more work that needs to be done for people with disabilities to become more independent and involved in their world.

Mountain Trike wheelchair photo.

Further methods need to be put into practice to establish effective and, if necessary, novel ways of designing healthcare technology when end users are people with disabilities.

So Who Pays for Assistive Technology for the Disabled?

• Employers may pay for assistive technology that is determined to be a reasonable accommodation, so an employee can perform essential job tasks.
• Private health insurance pays for certain assistive technology if it is prescribed by a doctor as a necessary medical device or used for rehabilitation.
• Government programs (whether Social Security, Veteran's benefits, or state Medicaid agencies) pay for certain assistive technology if it is prescribed by a doctor as a necessary medical device.
• Schools systems pay for general special education learning materials as well as technology specified in an IEP.
• Rehabilitation and job training programs, whether funded by government or private agencies, may pay for assistive technology and training to help people get a job.

Subtopics and Associated Subjects

Disabled World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their family and/or carers. See our homepage for informative reviews, exclusive stories and how-tos. You can connect with us on social media such as Twitter and Facebook or learn more about Disabled World on our about us page.

Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Financial support is derived from advertisements or referral programs, where indicated. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.

• Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2022, April 14). Editorials: Disability and Health Technology. Disabled World. Retrieved October 2, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/editorials/technology/

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