Disabled or impaired individuals use adaptive equipment to allow them to function both in society and at home. Equipment can vary from small writing tools to large motorized vehicles. The amount of adaptable equipment available is growing in an attempt to meet the increasing needs of the disabled world.
Benefits
Disabled or impaired individuals can benefit from using adaptive equipment. Musculoskeletal tasks, such as walking, can benefit by using orthotics, such as shoe lifts, motorized or manual specially developed wheelchairs or prescribed walking aids. Social interaction and social skills can improve with the individual becoming more integrated into the community by having access to mobility equipment, notes AdaptiveDesign.com. Equipment allows people the opportunity to perform everyday activities more comfortably while also increasing productivity.
Function
Adaptive equipment functions as an independence promoter. Using the equipment allows disabled individuals the opportunity to perform everyday duties that normally would be too painful or difficult, such as turning doorknobs, hearing, walking or reaching for items. Adaptive equipment can function as an athletic tool, allowing individuals to engage in sports, such as skiing, canoeing and rowing sports, golf, cycling, fishing, sailing, archery, bow-hunting, basketball, baseball, swimming and snow sports, note Disabled World and Disability.gov.
Types
Different types of adaptive equipment help disabled individuals perform a variety of duties. Bathroom aids, such as self-propelled shower chairs, bath seats, tap turners for weak grips, bath lifts, transfer benches, special shower heads and rails can make bathing easier. Mobility can be improved by using wheelchairs or mobility scooter, orthotics such as shoe lifts or special shoe inserts, ramps, orthopedic shoes, body and/or chair lifts and adjustable walkers. Dressing and/or grooming aids, including zip pullers, zip grips, dressing sticks, grabbers, ergonomically designed hair combs and brushes and sock grabbers make personal grooming easier.
Variety
Equipment exists for impairments including mental disorders classified as psychiatric or psychosocial, cognitive or intellectual malfunctioning such as dyslexia, musculoskeletal disorders, visual and sensory malfunctioning involving speech and hearing. There is also equipment for those with invisible disabilities that may significantly hinder everyday activity level, including diabetes, Crohn's disease, lupus, Lyme's disease, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, chronic pain and/or renal failure.
Considerations
Many forms of adaptive equipment cannot be purchased over the counter. You may need a prescription for some pieces of equipment, including motorized wheelchairs and scooters and/or orthotics. To be considered disabled and receive benefits that may pay for adaptable equipment, you must prove that your condition exhibits symptoms, findings, clinical signs and professional medical opinions supporting the conclusion, advises Disabled World. The findings must be documented by a physician.
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