10 Assistive Technologies Available For Mobility Impairment

We operate in an industry dedicated to making life a bit easier for someone facing the significant challenge of living with a physical disability. If you or someone you know is experiencing mobility impairment for the first time, it’s a good idea to establish just what sort of help might be possible outside of care. Assistive technology is a large category, with devices engineered to solve many daily tasks.

 

Here’s 10 items that you may want to consider – check with your local health provider and/or occupational therapist, as some of these may be funded.

1 – Hoists

Hoists come in a variety of designs and functions. Essentially these are supporting harnesses that can lift and move the individual from one position to another. A hoist comes in a number of configurations including a free standing, non-fixed unit and as a ceiling mounted-permanent fixture. Usually the hoist will consist of a bar, mast, boom and other frame components. Most modern hoists are operated with buttons to adjust the position of the hoist. The user sits in a ‘sling’ which will be personal to them and their size.

Hoists don’t just help transferring between positions, but are also used in rehabilitation such as walking training, or simply to allow the user to assume a standing position. Exactly what a hoist will be used for depends greatly upon the user.

Because there are so many options for hoists, it’s important you speak with an Occupational Therapist about your needs before any decisions are made. They’ll ensure your solution is tailored to your needs, and not anyone else’s.

3 – Railing

Rails around the home help individuals with paraplegia maneuver around with less difficulty. These are fixed to the wall and positioned at a height easily reachable to someone in a wheelchair.

Rails can be placed both outside the home (such as at the sides of an access ramp), or most rooms inside. Railing or ‘grab bars’ are very popular in bathrooms, but also commonly found in bedrooms, hallways and kitchens.

One potential challenge to getting rails or bars in the home is if the individual is renting a property. In these cases a conversation with the landlord would be needed to get the go-ahead.

4 – Accessibility Features On Devices

If mobility impairment is hindering the ability to interact with a device such as a computer, tablet or mobile phone, users can make sure of the sophisticated accessibility features offered. For example, the iPhone from Apple offers voice controls to help the user dictate messages, access menus and search information. The voice assistant on both iOS and Android can help conduct a lot of digital activity totally hands free. And with modern devices, many offer the unlock function via facial recognition.

• Read more about Apple’s accessibility features here.
• Read more about Android’s accessibility features here.
• Read more about Microsoft’s accessibility features here.

5 – Robot Vacuum Cleaners

A robot vacuum cleaner might sound like a luxury, but for those with an inability to do the vacuuming themselves, this technology is incredibly valuable. A robot vacuum cleaner will scan the floor and clean carpet, tiles and hardwood just like any other vacuum cleaner. After it’s done, it will go back and dock into the wall charger – once the science fiction appeal passes, owners are left with a useful assistive technology that keeps the floors clean.

6 – Smart Home Assistants

Along with personal devices, home assistants like the Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple’s Homepod Mini are all useful hands and screen free tools to get information and control things in the home like lights, heating and security. They’re also great for accessing the day’s news, weather and entertainment. How integrated these assistants are into your house depends on the other smart home fixtures your home has. Otherwise, they can act as useful standalone devices.

7 – Stair Lifts

This technology is more sophisticated than some of the other items on this list, but a stair lift is often the most important addition to a two-storey home or house located away from the road. Stair lifts are fixed to the side of a stairwell or flight of steps and provide a seat to sit on or alternatively a platform on which a wheelchair can be carried up and down.

These lifts aren’t inexpensive but may be at least partially funded depending on your needs and location. As with any permanent fixtures, you will have some restrictions around what can be done with a rental property.

8 – Wheelchairs

A wheelchair is one of the more central technologies to most mobility impaired individuals. Wheelchairs come in a huge number of formats from self-propelled to motorised, reclining to all-terrain. Wheelchairs will be configured based on the requirements of the user such as additional neck support.

Wheelchairs can also be fitted with other technology such as digital devices.

Read more about choosing a wheelchair in Christopher Reeve Foundation’s article here.

9 – Mobility-friendly beds

Getting in and out of bed can present challenges for someone with mobility impairment. Purpose-design beds are available that offer height adjustment, inclining backrest, side rails and steps. Together with a carer and capable chair, transferring in and out of bed can be made much easier.

10 – Bathroom transfer

One of the most complex daily tasks is using the bathroom. Using the toilet and bath or shower requires various movements and stability to execute safely. This can be complicated even further in a moisture-filled environment. Instead of risking injury to both user and carer, we’d suggest looking into a quality bathroom transfer system. Instead of moving out of a wheelchair and into a shower chair or toilet support, users can stay in one chair before entering the bathroom, and be transferred over the toilet and into the shower, regardless of the format (bathtub, roll-in, shower unit etc).