You might be wondering what this "assistive technology" is. You may not have heard the term before. But you'd be surprised if I told you that you and I, like all of us, will seek the help of this assistive technology at some point in our lives. It can be anything that is very close to our lives, anything that helps us to do our daily tasks easier.
Simply put, what is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology, or what we call ``Assistive Technology'', can be any type of product or service that helps you perform your daily tasks more easily. This is a very broad topic. Imagine, sometimes our mother has difficulty opening a water bottle cap due to her joint pain. If we use a gadget that makes it easier to open at that time, then that is also assistive technology.
Simply put, these can be divided into several main categories:
- Physical equipment: shower chairs, walking sticks, and therapeutic footwear.
- Digital services: Things like speech recognition software or screen readers.
- Things made easy for everyone in public places: Imagine if you were to go to a supermarket and there was a ramp to push your baby's stroller. How easy would that be for someone in a wheelchair and for you? And doors that open automatically with the push of a button.
This is also called ``Adaptive Technologies''. Most of the time, these are designed for people with some kind of disability. But, the truth is, we all benefit from these technologies. As I said before, a ramp designed to help a person in a wheelchair cross the road, a mother with a baby in a stroller, or a person pushing a trolley full of goods, everyone is helped.
So, who uses technologies like this?
In fact, almost all of us use these assistive technologies at some point in our lives. They are especially useful for people with conditions that affect the way they move their bodies, think, learn, or interact with the world around them. For some, they feel like a freedom.
For example, if you have one of the following conditions, these assistive technologies will be a great help to you:
- Neuromuscular diseases (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - ALS)
- Joint pain (Arthritis)
- Attention problems (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder - ADHD)
- Autism `(Autism)`
- Blindness or low vision
- Dementia
- Weaknesses of the joints and connective tissues (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
- Frailty that comes with age
- Hearing loss
- Intellectual disability
- Learning disabilities
- Muscular dystrophy (muscular weakness)
- Parkinson's disease
- Spinal cord injury
The important thing is that these assistive technologies are not a weakness. It's like wearing glasses. If we can't see, we wear glasses. And if we have difficulty doing something, it's very common to use a device to help us do it.
How does this technology help you?
You'd be surprised at how many things these assistive technologies can help with in your life. Let's see what you can do with them.
| Task requiring help | The benefit |
|---|---|
| Daily activities | You will be able to do things on your own, such as moving around, bathing, dressing, and eating. |
| Communication | It helps to talk to others, listen to what they say, and see the environment around them. |
| Mental wellness | It helps you to soothe yourself, learn and remember information, and manage symptoms. |
| Independence and security | You have the freedom to do what you want, how you want. You can stay safe, and explore new and familiar places. |
| Work and society | These will be a great source of strength for you to find a job that suits you and that you like and pursue it. |
Let's look at some examples of assistive technology.
There are a huge number of such technological devices and services. It is impossible to talk about them all in this article. But let's look at some examples that you can use in your daily life.
Things you can use at home
There are many tools available to help you manage household chores, manage symptoms, and stay safe.
- Fall alert services: Systems that can alert you if an elderly person, especially one who is alone, falls.
- Vibrating alarms: Devices that warn of a fire or carbon monoxide leak not only by sound, but also by vibration (very important for those with hearing impairments).
- Easy-to-grip spoons, forks, and cups.
- Grab bars for extra support and balance: These are especially popular in bathrooms and toilets.
- Ramps: Ramps designed to make it easier for wheelchair users to access places such as the bathroom or the inside of a house.
- Devices that help reach distant objects: Reaching aids help pick up dropped objects, put on socks, and get dressed.
- Shower seats.
- Smart home technology: Being able to turn lights and fans on/off with your voice.
- Stair lifts.
- Weighted blankets: Helps to achieve mental calmness.
Things to use when traveling
These are often seen in businesses, government offices, hospitals, and public places. Although they are designed for people with certain disabilities, they actually make life easier for all of us.
- Accessible bathrooms/toilets.
- Accessible parking spaces.
- Elevators.
- Corridors and walkways wide enough to move around easily.
- "Push to open" door buttons.
- Ramps and curb cuts.
Things that can be used anywhere
Some assistive technologies have become a normal part of our lives, and we use them wherever we go. These include devices that help with walking, as well as things that help with vision, hearing, and communication.
| Equipment type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Mobility aids | Canes, walkers, mobility scooters and wheelchairs. |
| Vision aids | Glasses, screen readers. |
| Hearing aids | Hearing aids. |
| Communication aids | Speech-generating devices. |
| Other supports | Foldable chairs that can be moved to sit when needed, `(Orthotics)` (devices that provide support to body parts), `(Prostheses)` (artificial limbs). |
How do you find these assistive technologies?
If you or a loved one is in need of this type of assistive technology, the first and most important thing to do is talk to your doctor. That could be your family doctor, a specialist who treats you, a physical therapist, or an occupational therapist. They can tell you exactly what kind of equipment and software will be most helpful to you.
Additionally, you can get great advice from online message boards and support groups. Other people with the same condition as you can talk about the products they use and the benefits they provide. You may even learn things you never thought of.
If you are looking for these for your child, talk to your child's pediatrician, school administration, or special needs counselors.
Does this require a prescription?
Some assistive devices require a doctor's prescription, while others do not. However, if your health insurance covers the cost of these devices, you will most likely need a doctor's prescription. Depending on your situation and needs, you may also be able to get financial assistance from some government programs or community groups. Your doctor will explain this to you in more detail.
Ultimately, these assistive technologies are, as the name suggests, designed to "help" you, to meet your needs. The device can be as simple as a cane, or it can be a state-of-the-art digital device. Either way, it will take some time to get used to. Be kind to yourself, be patient. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor for guidance or advice at any time.
Take-Home Message
- Assistive Technology is any device, software, or service that makes daily tasks easier to perform due to a disability or medical condition.
- Although these are designed for people with disabilities, they actually benefit everyone in society.
- These range from something simple like a stick or a mirror to something complex like voice-activated computer software.
- If you or a loved one needs this kind of help, the best thing to do is talk to your doctor, physical therapist, or occupational therapist.
- The primary goal of these technologies is to enhance your independence, safety, and quality of life.
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