If you or a loved one suffer an injury that leads to either short-term or long-term difficulty in performing daily tasks, the use of assistive equipment and technology may help you return to independence.
The world of technology to help with everyday tasks is vast and varied. There are many options and industry lingo to sift through; so much so that consultation with a professional, such as a rehabilitation therapist, is often merited.
It’s important to learn the different categories of assistive technology and, hopefully, set a starting point in finding and understand the technology that might work best for you or your loved one.
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A Brief Note on Categorization and Definitions
Though durable medical equipment, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology are at times used interchangeably, it is generally accepted that assistive technology is the broadest category of devices to assist people in participating in everyday life. Assistive technology is an item or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities, such as speech readers or reachers.
The phrase “technology” is somewhat misleading as some types of assistive technology are very simple tools, such as a magnifying glass. These are known as low-tech assistive technology. High-tech assistive technology can be as complex as a power wheelchair operated through puffs of air.
What Is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology refers to any equipment or technology that enhances life participation for people with disabilities or injuries.
A standard definition of assistive technology is used in several pieces of legislation, including Section 508: “Any item, piece of equipment, or system (whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized), that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
What sets assistive technology apart from its subcategories is that it does not need to be specifically designed for people with disabilities. It can also benefit the general public.
For example, it is handy for anyone to be able to disarm their smoke detector via a phone app. For a person with limited mobility who is not able to access a ladder, this technology is the difference between being able to perform the task independently and needing to find someone to help.
Other examples of assistive technology at this broadest level include:
Assistive technology, in this broadest sense, is closely associated with universal design, which is the aspiration of making things accessible to as many people as possible. Universal design can eliminate the need for special technologies and accommodations for people with impairments.
What Is Adaptive Equipment?
Adaptive equipment is designed specifically for people with long- or short-term disabilities.
Adaptive Equipment for Activities of Daily Living
The most common types of adaptive equipment are related toactivities of daily living (ADLs). These are essential tasks people must perform to sustain a quality of life.
This categorization is important because hospitals and medical facilities ascertain that individuals have a method for safely performing ADLs before discharging. It is in this context that many people are introduced to adaptive equipment.
The examples below are not exhaustive but do represent some of the most common types of adaptive equipment.
Adaptive equipment for dressing:
Adaptive equipment for bathing:
Adaptive equipment for toileting:
Adaptive equipment for eating:
Adaptive equipment for basic mobility:
Mobility can range from walking to driving to the grocery store. Often times, a physical therapist will recommend and provide instruction on basic mobility devices.
Adaptive Equipment for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)are activities that enhance daily life beyond basic survival.These are often the second tier tasks that are addressed once discharged from an acute setting.
This list is nowhere close to exhaustive as IADLs is a broader category than ADLs. These are simply some examples from a few of the categories, intended to give you a glimpse into the scope of adaptive equipment.
Driving and community mobility:
Communication management:
Cognition:
Leisure:
Safety:
Durable Medical Equipment
Examples include:
Who Will Help You Identify the Right Technology and Equipment?
Assistive technology can be introduced in all stages of a healthcare journey, from the hospital to an online support group.
Many people will first be introduced to assistive technology, especially adaptive equipment, through collaboration with a medical professional, such as anoccupational, speech, orphysical therapist. All three disciplines have training in assistive technology.
These therapists often have the goal of facilitating physical healing for a patient’s return to independence. There are circumstances, however, when devices are needed for a period while physical healing progresses (for example, the use of a walker in the first weeks following a hip surgery) or in the case of a more permanent condition adaptive equipment may become a part of daily life (for example, the use of a wheelchair).
Assistive Technology Professionals
Some therapists do go on to become Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs). This is a special certification that requires 1000 hours of work experience and extra training.Your rehab facility may connect you with one of these professionals for more complex cases. Within this certification, some specialize specifically in seating. These professionals are called seating and mobility specialists (SMS).
Purchasing and Acquiring the Right Piece of Equipment
While a therapist may recommend certain kinds of equipment and a healthcare provider may order it—it is often up the client to actually purchase the equipment.
The hospital or facility may have some devices on hand for you. In many cases, it will be in the best interest of your pocketbook to shop around and explore all avenues for finding the right aid.
Purchasing From Medical Supply Vendors
Many times, hospitals and facilities will have particular medical supply vendors they work with and can recommend. This can be particularly helpful when medical supply companies have ATPs on staff. Local vendors can also help you understand Medicare andMedicaidservices in your state and other local resources.
Borrowing Closets
Rental Programs
Some medical supply companies and other entities offer rental programs for expensive medical supplies (for example, wheelchairs). Again, ask your local rehab department or vendor about options available in your area.
National and Local Associations Related to Your Diagnosis
If you or your loved one has a particular diagnosis, there may be assistance through related organizations, either national or local.
Your State’s Assistive Technology Program
Almost every state has an assistive technology program. The National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center has a helpful directory of resources in each state.
Hacking Your Own Adaptations
If you or a loved one has a disability, you may benefit from more complex and specialized equipment than has made the above list of common items. There are exciting resources out there to help individuals with disabilities make their environment more accessible. DIYAbility out of NY is a great resource to check out.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Disability Awareness.Assistive tech and DME.General Services Administration.Glossary of Section 508 terms.University of Washington.What is universal design?.United Disabilities Services.Guide to adaptive devices for people with disabilities.Mlinac ME, Feng MC.Assessment of activities of daily living, self-care, and independence.Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2016;31(6):506-516. doi:10.1093/arclin/acw049Medicare.gov.Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage.Social Security.HI 00610.200 definition of durable medical equipment.Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.Get certified.National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training.AT act programs.DIYAbility.Make your world.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Disability Awareness.Assistive tech and DME.General Services Administration.Glossary of Section 508 terms.University of Washington.What is universal design?.United Disabilities Services.Guide to adaptive devices for people with disabilities.Mlinac ME, Feng MC.Assessment of activities of daily living, self-care, and independence.Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2016;31(6):506-516. doi:10.1093/arclin/acw049Medicare.gov.Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage.Social Security.HI 00610.200 definition of durable medical equipment.Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.Get certified.National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training.AT act programs.DIYAbility.Make your world.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Disability Awareness.Assistive tech and DME.General Services Administration.Glossary of Section 508 terms.University of Washington.What is universal design?.United Disabilities Services.Guide to adaptive devices for people with disabilities.Mlinac ME, Feng MC.Assessment of activities of daily living, self-care, and independence.Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2016;31(6):506-516. doi:10.1093/arclin/acw049Medicare.gov.Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage.Social Security.HI 00610.200 definition of durable medical equipment.Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.Get certified.National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training.AT act programs.DIYAbility.Make your world.
Disability Awareness.Assistive tech and DME.
General Services Administration.Glossary of Section 508 terms.
University of Washington.What is universal design?.
United Disabilities Services.Guide to adaptive devices for people with disabilities.
Mlinac ME, Feng MC.Assessment of activities of daily living, self-care, and independence.Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2016;31(6):506-516. doi:10.1093/arclin/acw049
Medicare.gov.Durable medical equipment (DME) coverage.
Social Security.HI 00610.200 definition of durable medical equipment.
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.Get certified.
National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training.AT act programs.
DIYAbility.Make your world.
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