Assistive devices range from mobility aids to prostheses, hearing aids, and technology devices that help people with disabilities perform tasks independently. They promote independence and are protected by anti-discrimination laws in many regions of the world.
Assistive devices are devices that are intended to enable people with disabilities to perform tasks independently and to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. Such devices can range from wheelchairs for people who can’t walk or have walking difficulties to screen readers used to allow blind people to access content on a computer. Such devices are readily available from a variety of manufacturers and suppliers, and people can also receive training in how to use them.
Many people think of mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes when they hear “assistive devices.” Assistive devices can also include things like prostheses designed to restore function to someone who has lost a limb, along with devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Assistive devices can also include a wide variety of products to help people navigate the kitchen and bathroom, including grooming aids, specially designed kitchen tools, and eating and drinking aids.
Assistive technology devices help people access technology when they otherwise wouldn’t be able to. This includes things like screen readers, magnifying software, voice command software, and extra-large keyboards, along with software that helps people navigate their computers or use the Internet. Assistive technology can also include devices that help people communicate if they have difficulty speaking and devices that are intended to facilitate communication with people with developmental disabilities. With improvements in the field of technology, numerous examples of assistive technology are constantly emerging.
The goal of assistive devices is to empower people with disabilities so they can engage in activities they would like to do without having to ask someone for help. Without an assistive device, someone may have trouble doing something, whether it’s opening a jar of pasta sauce or talking to a friend on the phone. Assistive Devices promote independence by creating solutions that allow people to get things done without having to rely on someone else.
In many regions of the world, assistive devices are available free or at reduced cost to help people with disabilities access the tools they may need to navigate the world. The use of such devices is also protected by law in many areas of the world, with anti-discrimination laws specifically addressing the need for such devices and prohibiting restrictions on their use. For example, a person using a wheelchair cannot be banned from an aircraft because they are using a wheelchair.
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