Adaptive equipment are
devices that are used to assist
bathing
Bathing is the act of washing the body, usually with water, or the immersion of the body in water. It may be practiced for personal hygiene, religious ritual or therapy, therapeutic purposes. By analogy, especially as a recreational activity, the ...
, dressing,
grooming, toileting, and feeding are self-care activities that are including in the spectrum of activities of daily living (ADLs). Jennifer McLaughlin Maly a P.T./ D.P.T. in her article located in the journal Exceptional Parent gives a more complete definition of adaptive equipment:
A growing market for adaptive equipment is in the use of mobility vans. In this case, adaptive equipment, also known as assistive technology, can help a person with a disability operate a motor vehicle when otherwise they would not be able to.
Mobility assistance
Mobility adaptive equipment are used in cases where a disease or accident leaves an individual's motor functions hindered or unusable. if an individual has restricted motor functions, there are equipment and technology that can assist in regaining some or all mobility.
Types of Mobility Adaptive Equipment
Wheelchair
A
manual or
motorized wheelchair
A motorized wheelchair, powerchair, electric wheelchair or electric-powered wheelchair (EPW) is a wheelchair that is propelled by means of an electric motor (usually using differential steering) rather than manual power. Motorized wheelchairs ...
is a chair with attached wheels that allow a person who cannot walk, due to illness, injury, or disability, to move around.
Crutches
Crutch
A crutch is a mobility aid that transfers weight from the legs to the upper body. It is often used by people who cannot use their legs to support their weight, for reasons ranging from short-term injuries to lifelong disabilities.
History
Crutc ...
es are devices used to transfer the bodies load from the lower body to the upper body. Crutches are used when one's lower body is not completely immobilized, but impaired.
Prosthetic devices
Prosthetic devices are artificial devices used to replace a missing body part caused from either an illness, accident, or a birth defect.
Orthotic devices
Orthotic devices, or orthoses, are devices used to align, brace, or correct deformities. Orthoses also help to improve the movement of one's joints, spine, or limbs.
Sensory assistance
Sensory/Neurological adaptive equipment are used in cases where an individual lacks proper stimulation of a sense. For instance, individuals who are either blind, mute, deaf, or a combination of them.
Types of Sensory Adaptive Equipment
Hearing aids
Hearing aid
A hearing aid is a device designed to improve hearing by making sound audible to a person with hearing loss. Hearing aids are classified as medical devices in most countries, and regulated by the respective regulations. Small audio amplifiers s ...
s are devices used by partially deaf individual to regain a portion of hearing by amplifying sound.
Braille
Braille
Braille (Pronounced: ) is a tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired, including people who are blind, deafblind or who have low vision. It can be read either on embossed paper or by using refreshable braille disp ...
is a system a raised bumps that allow blind individuals to read text with their fingers. Braille is a code of language and not a language in itself.
Assistive listening devices (ALD)
Assistive listening devices (ALD) are devices used to amplify sounds an individual wants to hear, especially in areas with much background noise. ADLs can be used with hearing aids and cochlear implants to improve the individuals hearing.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices are used to help individuals with communication disorder to express themselves to others. The devices can carry from picture boards to computer assisted speech.
Alerting devices
Alerting devices are assistive devices that connect with doorbells, telephones, and other alarming devices. These devices add a specific alarm based on one's disability. For instance, a deaf individual can have a doorbell that blinks a light instead of a noise to indicate someone is at the door.
References
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Tools
Assistive technology