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.

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.

Adaptive telecommunication and telephony equipment for people with disabilities.

Includes tactile devices, Braille devices, note taking devices, spelling devices, word prediction/completion software, modified typewriters, portable typewriters, etc. Does not generally include products intended to facilitate computer access and usage (see Computer Access Aids).

Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) involves alternate methods of communicating needs, feelings, ideas, and perceptions through the use of electronic and non-electronic devices that provide a means for expressive and receptive communication for persons with limited or no speech. Includes communication boards, speech synthesizers, text-to-speech software and hardware, head wands, light pointers, mouth sticks, signal systems, telephony equipment, etc.

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.

This category is for sites selling toileting aids and equipment for the disabled and the elderly.

This category is for sites selling gardening aids and equipment for the disabled or the elderly.

This category is for consumer lift and recline chairs. Chairs that one would find in a senior's home rather than in a health care facility. Products that provide mobility impaired persons with greater body stability, maintain upright posture, provide trunk/head support and reduction of pressure to the skin, belong in the "seating and positioning" category.

This category is for sites that sell items that assist with reaching, gripping, holding and picking up items.

This category is for sites selling adaptive or specialized clothing for the disabled or the elderly.

This category is for sites selling eating and cooking aids and equipment designed for the disabled or the elderly.

This category is for sites selling bathing aids and equipment for the disabled and the elderly.

This category is for sites that sell therapeutic adjustable beds to consumers. Therapeutic adjustable beds are usually controlled with a hand controller and adjust to many positions, i.e. head up, feet up, etc. and are height adjustable.

Shopping Health Disabilities Assistive Technology Education and Learning

Includes cognitive software focusing on categorization, matching, association, reasoning, decision making, problem solving, memory skills, perceptual skills, talking word processing, word prediction/completion software, cognitive retraining or rehabilitation tools, etc.

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.

Includes alternative and adaptive keyboards, expanded keyboards ,Keyguards, alternative and ergonomic mouse/pointing systems, head-operated pointing devices, Eyeglaze pointing devices, mouth/tongue pointing devices, Morse code input devices, brain-actuated pointing devices, switches, touch screens, voice input systems, speech-to-text software, voice recognition/voice command software, dictation software, on-screen keyboards, cursor enlargement software, ergonomic computer-based equipment, etc.

Computer-based output devices that generally enable Blind and Vision impaired persons to use or interact with a computer. Includes Braille display/output devices, Braille embosser/printers, screen reading software, screen magnification/enlargement software, large print monitor, etc.

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).

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.

Shopping Health Disabilities Assistive Technology Recreation Toys and Games

Shopping Health Disabilities Assistive Technology Recreation Sports

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.

This category is for sites that sell on-line electric scooters for the disabled, and powerchairs, which are electric, programmable wheelchairs for the disabled.