Assistive Technology

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology is any type of product or service that helps you function in your daily life. Such technologies include:

• Physical devices like shower chairs, canes and therapeutic footwear
• Digital services like speech recognition software and screen readers
• Things that are accessible to everyone who uses a certain space — like curb cuts (the smooth part of the curb where you cross the road) or doors that open at the push of a button

Assistive technologies (also called adaptive technologies) are often designed for people with disabilities. But many of these technologies benefit everyone.

For instance, the curb cut that allows a person using a wheelchair to cross the road also helps a parent pushing a stroller or a traveler pulling a rolling suitcase. The jar opener that helps a person with arthritis in their hand can easily become a go-to kitchen gadget for anyone.

Who uses assistive technology?

Nearly everyone uses assistive technology at some point during their life. Assistive technology is especially useful for people with conditions that affect how they move, think, learn or interact with the world around them.

For example, you might find assistive technologies helpful — or even liberating — if you have:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Arthritis
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism
• Blindness or low vision
• Dementia
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Frailty
• Hearing loss
• Intellectual disability
• Learning disability
• Muscular dystrophy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Spinal cord injury

What can assistive technology help me do?

You might use assistive technology to:

• Move from place to place
• Take a shower
• Get dressed
• Eat a meal
• Self-soothe
• Talk or listen to others
• See your surroundings
• Learn or remember information
• Manage symptoms
• Take care of a loved one or help keep them safe

In general, assistive technology can help you:

• Overcome ableist structures
• Do the things you want and/or need to do
• Be independent and do things on your own terms
• Stay safe
• Navigate both new and familiar spaces
• Gain and keep a job that’s meaningful to you

What are some examples of assistive technologies?

There are many examples of assistive technologies — far more than we can list here. And there are many ways to categorize them. The lists below group assistive technologies according to where and when you might use them.

Assistive technology you use at home

Some assistive technologies you use in your home to do activities of daily living (ADLs), manage symptoms or stay safe. Examples include:

• Alarm services that detect if you fall
• Carbon monoxide and fire alarms that vibrate (rather than just making sounds) to alert you to danger
• Eating utensils and cups that are easy to grip or keep stable
• Grab bars you can hold onto for extra support and balance
• Massage tools
• Ramps into your home or certain areas (like your shower)
• Reaching aids like grabbers, sock aids and dressing sticks
• Shower seats
• Smart home technology
• Stair lifts
• Weighted blankets

Ordinary objects that can assist you at home

Many things we think of as ordinary objects or services can also function as assistive technologies. An assistive device is what you make it. For example, you might:

• Get a new mattress every year or so because your back needs the support
• Put brightly colored tape along the edges of furniture so you can see them more easily
• Use air conditioning to help regulate your body temperature

Assistive technology you use on the go

Businesses, local governments and others build these devices and services into stores, office buildings, hospitals, recreational spaces and more. These technologies are designed for people with various disabilities, but they make life easier for everyone. Examples include:

• Accessible bathrooms
• Accessible parking spaces
• Elevators
• Hallways and aisles that are wide enough to allow easy movement
• “Push to open” door buttons
• Ramps and curb cuts

Assistive technology you use anywhere

Some assistive technologies are a routine part of life no matter where you’re at. These include mobility aids as well as devices that help you see, hear and communicate. Examples include:

• Canes, walkers, mobility scooters and wheelchairs
• Collapsible stools you can take with you for when you need to sit
• Eyeglasses
• Fidget toys
• Hearing aids
• Mindfulness apps
• Orthotics
• Prostheses
• Screen readers
• Speech-generating devices

Assistive technology you use when caregiving

If you’re a caregiver, assistive technologies can help you keep your loved one safe. Many of these technologies also protect you from injury.

Plenty of the technologies in the previous lists can help you when caring for others. But further examples specific to caregiving include: 

• Alarm systems and sensor maps that alert you when your loved one is no longer where they need to be
• Special locks to protect the person you’re caring for if they wander or are prone to falls
• Transfer devices that help you move your loved one (for example, from bed to a wheelchair or from a sitting to a standing position)

How can I find assistive technologies?

If you’re looking for assistive technologies for yourself or a loved one, the first thing to do is talk to a healthcare provider. Ideally, this should be a provider who works closely with you or your loved one — for example, a primary care provider, specialist, physical therapist or occupational therapist. They’ll tell you which devices or software might be most helpful.

You can also glean tips from online message boards. People often post about different products and how they help. If you’re part of a support group or online community for people who share your diagnosis, you might be able to get some recommendations for things you wouldn’t have thought of.

If you’re seeking assistive technologies for your child, talk to their pediatrician, early intervention providers or school administrators.

Do I need a prescription for assistive technologies?

Some assistive devices require a prescription, while others don’t. You’ll likely need a prescription for your health insurance to contribute toward the cost. Some government programs and community groups may help cover the cost depending on your situation and needs. Your healthcare provider can tell you more and connect you with resources.

Can I travel with assistive devices?

It depends on the device and your mode of transportation. In general, many assistive devices don’t travel well. They can easily get damaged or lost. They may not fit into suitcases or carry-ons.

If you use a device that’s not easily packable, you may want to explore rentable options. Renting a device just for a short time (and leaving your usual one at home) allows you to use a device at your destination without packing worries. This takes some extra planning and may not always be possible. But it’s worth looking into if you’re thinking about travel and concerned about logistics.