WHAT ARE THE ESSENCIAL ACCESSIBILITY DEVICES THAT CAN BE USED AT HOME
Essential accessibility devices that are necessary at home for people with disabilities
Able Aura . 4min 56sec read
In this topic
- Why Are Accessibility Devices A Must-have For Our Homes
- Essential Accessibility Devices For Our Homes
Our homes are our most extensive comfort zone. But, at times, our infirmities make us feel hard-pressed for gaining flexibility within our homes. Is it so difficult to achieve that much-desired freedom within our homes? The answer is NO, for technological innovations have gifted us with various accessibility devices that can give us essential comfort within our home spaces.
Why Are Accessibility Devices A Must-have For Our Homes
- They promote flexibility of movement for persons with special needs.
- Increased mobility with the aid of accessibility devices develops a sense of self-reliance in the individual.
- This sense of independence helps cope with any disability in social situations.
Essential Accessibility Devices For Our Homes
Thanks to the diverse uses of the various assistive aids, the concept of inclusive homes for the impaired community is no more a far-fetched dream. Following are some examples of assistive devices:
Mobility Aids:
Commonly used mobility aid is the electric wheelchair which helps people move within their environment without much difficulty.
- They are customized to support you regardless of your height or weight and come in a wide range of options such as lightweight, reclining, small, heavy-duty, or folding ones.
- The focal point of gravity is relatively low in the case of an electric wheelchair which minimizes the risk of the body falling over accidentally.
- It helps you keep away from spontaneous movements.
- It is portable and easy to use.
Residential Modifications:
Architectural adaptations such as lifts, ramps, or modified bathroom settings help reduce or remove physical barriers.
Assistive modifications, as is mentioned below, make the bathroom a safe zone for people with mobility issues. - Bath lifts- These battery-powered or water-powered seats make landing and exiting the tub safe and easy. They lower the person into the tub at the beginning and pull them out of the water at the end of the bath.
- Raised Toilet Seats- These seats are for those who have difficulty launching themselves into a seated position.
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Walk-in Bathtubs- These tubs are best for wheelchair users or people with other mobility issues.
Positioning and Seating:
Architectural adaptations such as lifts, ramps, or modified bathroom settings help reduce or remove physical barriers.
Positioning belts is a bonafide tool for people having neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s or minimal mobility. It makes walking from one place to the other faster and comes with weight support. Further, it acts as a buttress preventing unpredictable movements that may cause loss of balance.
Alternative and Augmentative Communication Instruments (AAC):
These devices use symbols, strategies, aids, and techniques by sign language or communication boards to help those with speech or visual impairments. Such devices include voice amplification devices, communication software, large print screens, etc. Two of the common AACs are:
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Speech Generating Devices- These electronic devices can produce digitized versions of speech when the user either types a message or presses on words, images, or letters.
Braille enables the visually impaired to have key access to the written word like the sighted people. Braille literacy is a must-have for the visually impaired these days. People skilled in Braille are more likely to seek employment and greater self-reliance in managing any correspondence than those who don’t have it. - Braille- enables the visually impaired to have key access to the written word like the sighted people. Braille literacy is a must-have for the visually impaired these days. People skilled in Braille are more likely to seek employment and greater self-reliance in managing any correspondence than those who don’t have it.
- Prosthetics- Prosthetic limbs are artificial legs that are used to replace body parts in cases of amputation. Using it is easy and beneficial due to several factors:
- Walking in prosthetic limbs takes little effort.
- Prosthetics promote more mobility as they make it possible for amputees to go upstairs or downstairs with a lot of ease.
- Wearing prosthetic legs improves the psychological outlook of the amputees as they add more flexibility to movements and makes the user capable of freely mixing with the crowd.
Prosthetics To Aid Cognitive Limitations -
These assistive technologies help individuals gain functional independence in impaired mental conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease or dyslexia. Some of the products which improve cognitive performance are:
- Memory Aids- Helps fulfill vital tasks such as recalling appointments, steps to executing activities, or other sorts of information. Some products which function as memory aids are vibrating watches that remind a user about a particular task, audio note-takers, etc.
- Educational Software- Enables easy access to digital information in several formats such as multisensory outputs, mind mapping, and dictionaries for definitions.
- Word Prediction Software- Allows the required words and enhances grammar and sentence construction based on its context.
Sensory aids for the hearing impaired:
Hearing aids are portable, self-sufficient amplifying systems that include:
- A microphone to capture sound energy;
- An amplifier to enhance the level of the signal;
- Several filters and other associated devices modify the sound to suit the needs of the impaired listener perfectly.
Advantages of Using Sensory Aids: - Improved listening experience during one-on-one or telephonic conversations, watching television, footsteps, etc.
- Minimal disturbance from a moderate level of background noises.
- Comfortable ear molds which snugly fit into the ear without causing any discomfort.
Computer Access Aids - Computer literacy is essential for all regardless of infirmity or ailment. Assistive computer technologies make their lives easier by ensuring self-reliance, social and occupational inclusion, and active participation in community life. Some of the common modifications include:
- Sip-and-puff systems – They are activated by inhaling or exhaling.
- Joysticks – The cursor on the screen is monitored by the chin, hand, feet, etc.
- Trackballs – These movable balls can be utilized to move the cursor.
- Wands and sticks are worn as headgear, held in the mouth, or fastened to the chin. This is then used to press keys on the keyboard.
- Electronic pointing devices control the cursor using eye movements, infrared rays, ultrasound, brain waves, or nerve signals.
- Touch screens – These allow activation of the computer by merely touching the screen.
Final thoughts
Using the accessibility devices within the homefront assists you in managing your tasks on your own and gradually frees you from depending just on your caregiver. Trying to be independent with the help of assistive aids develops your self-confidence significantly. Then coping up with any disability becomes a cakewalk in the longer run.|