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What is Assistive Technology?

• Assistive or Adaptive Technology (AT) commonly refers to products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capacities of individuals with disabilities.

• Assistive Technology products can assist people with disabilities with daily living tasks, communication, education, work, and recreation, and help them achieve independence or improve the quality of their life. For example, Assistive Technology devices can help prevent the worsening of a condition, help improve physical functioning, strengthen a physical or other weakness, help improve a person's capacity to learn, or replace a missing limb.

• Assistive Technology services support people with disabilities or their caregivers to help them select, acquire, or use adaptive devices. Such services also include functional evaluations, training on or demonstration of devices, and purchasing or leasing devices.

Building Modifications

Environmental and structural adaptations that remove or reduce physical barriers for individuals with disabilities. Includes worksite/school/home design or modification for accessibility, architectural accommodations, structural adaptations, building/home ramps, home elevators, wheelchair lifts, pool lifts, bathroom changes, automatic door openers, expanded doorways, adapted furniture, adapted doorknobs, alternative doorbells, lowered counters, specially designed bath areas, etc.

Communication Aids

Products and equipment designed to help persons with speech disabilities or writing difficulties to communicate. At its very simplest, augmentative communication can be a page with picture choices or alphabet letters that a person points to. It can also involve highly sophisticated speaking computers with on-screen communication boards and auditory or visual scanning.

Computer Access

Hardware and software products that enables persons with disabilities to access, interact with, and use computers at home, work or school. Includes modified or alternate keyboards, switches activated by pressure, touch screens, special software, voice to text software, etc.

Daily Living

Self-help devices that assist persons with disabilities in daily living activities such as dressing, personal hygiene, bathing, home maintenance, cooking, eating, etc. Includes reachers, adaptive clothing, modified eating utensils, adapted books, pencil holders, dressing aids, adapted personal hygiene aids, bathing accessories, feeding accessories, feeding devices, grab bars/grips/handles, grooming, hygiene, incontinent supplies, mechanical transfer lift, shower/bath chair, toileting accessories, transfer board, wheeled bath chair/commode, time management aids, specialized spoons for self-feeding, bathtub seats, etc. Does not generally include architectural/home adaptations or modifications.

Education and Learning

No category description found

Environmental Controls

Environmental and structural adaptations that remove or reduce physical barriers for individuals with disabilities. Primarily electronic systems that enable someone with limited mobility to control various appliances, lights, telephone and security systems in their room, home or other surroundings. Includes Environmental Control Units (ECU), electronic appliance switches, switch mounting systems, home automation systems, signaling and alerting devices, home alarms, television adaptations, smoke alarm and telephone ringers, etc.

Ergonomic Equipment

Low-tech assistive equipment or devices designed to reduce the likelihood of repetitive stress injuries often associated with work related situations. Includes adjustable workstations, industrial workstations, office workstations, adapted furniture, writing aids, modified seating and lighting, arm/wrist supports, back supports, etc. Does not generally include products intended to facilitate computer access and usage (see Computer Access).

Hearing

Products designed to assist the Deaf and Hearing Impaired. Includes assistive listening devices, hearing aids, cochlear implants, infrared/personal amplification systems, audio/FM loop systems, FM amplification systems, TV amplifiers, TV decoders, visual signaling and alerting systems, tactile alerting systems, telephony and accessories, text telephones, TDDs/TTYs devices, adapted phones, etc. Does not generally include products intended to facilitate computer access and usage (see Computer Access Aids).

Low Vision Aids

Products designed to assist the Blind and Visually impaired. Includes auditory and speech output devices, reading machines, scanning/document reading systems, OCR systems, electronic book readers, talking equipment (clocks/watches, calculators, etc.), Braille devices, Braille transcription and translation devices, screen magnifier/enlarger, closed circuit television (CCTV) for magnifying documents, book holders, manual and electric page turners, large button phones, speaker phones, large print books, taped/audio books, etc. Does not generally include products intended to facilitate computer access and usage (see Computer Access Aids).

Mobility and Transportation

Products that help mobility impaired persons move within their environment and give them independence in personal transportation. Includes electric scooters, powerchairs, wheelchairs - all kinds, wheelchair accessories, walkers, canes and walking sticks, and vehicle conversions that enable one to transport wheelchairs or electric scooters. There are no listings under this top level. All listings should be under the subcategories.

Recreation

Products that help persons with disabilities to participate in sports, social, cultural events. Includes modified sports equipment for skiing/biking/running/boating, audio description for movies, adaptive controls for video games, adaptive fishing rods, cuffs for grasping paddles or racquets, seating systems for boats, etc.

Seating and Positioning

Products that provide mobility impaired persons with greater body stability, seating support, maintain upright posture, provide trunk/head support and reduction of pressure to the skin. Includes adapted and modular seating, cushions and wedges, contour seats, lumbar support seats, standing tables, positioning belts, braces, wheelchair modifications and cushions, non-slip surface on chair, adjustable tables, adapted or alternate chairs, lift chairs, seat lifts, bolster chairs, corner chairs, therapeutic seats, postural support hardware, postural support systems, pressure monitors, standers, etc.

• Open Directory Business: Healthcare: Products and Services: Disability
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