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Illness & Disability

Home Illness & Disability Becoming independent Assistive technology for daily living

Assistive technology for daily living

Tools that help people with disabilities lead more independent lives are known as assistive technology, or AT. AT devices can help you move around, see, communicate, eat, or get dressed. Examples of AT devices that you might use in daily living include:

• A one-handed cutting board that has spikes to hold food in place while you cut it with one hand
• Motorized scooters
• Talking clocks
• Velcro® fasteners on shoes
• A curved bath brush with a long handle that helps people with limited arm movement reach their back and other bathing spots

Helpful tools

• Check out ABLEDATA to learn about AT devices that can help you with activities of daily living.
• Contact your state's Assistive Technology program. These programs provide:
  • AT demonstration and loan centers, where you can sample a variety of AT devices and take them home to try out
  • Help locating companies that sell AT devices
  • Low-interest loans to help you pay for AT products
• Check the Internet for an organization that specializes in your particular illness or disability. Many times these organizations will have helpful advice that makes daily living easier!

Content last updated October 21, 2009

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