Assistive Devices all Around Us: Being Thoughtful of the Possibilities

By: Holly Bogardus, EC-SEAT Scholar

At first the concept of “Assistive Technology (AT) Devices” can be intimidating to those who are unfamiliar with the concept or tools. It can help to think of these devices simply as anything that can help a person to do or complete a task, or increase their ability to engage in a task. These do not necessarily need to be expensive, complicated, or individually designed devices. Assistive devices are in fact all around us and easily accessible. By acknowledging their presence and many uses in our lives, we can more comfortably engage in conversations regarding necessary devices or tools that can benefit students, family, and friends and increase their success and independence in multiple settings.

Here you will find just a small sample of objects that can be found both in typical settings as well as in various types of stores that can be beneficial assistive devices meetings a range of needs. After reading this post I would encourage you to look closely at objects you pass in the store and consider their possibilities to ease physical, visual, hearing, and cognitive demands.

Home, School, Work, and Play:

One-handed hook

This tool was found in an elementary school’s Occupational Therapy room. The device costs about $6.99 on amazon, and can often be found in department and drug stores as well. This device is used for one-handed buttoning and self-dressing and can be beneficial to those with motor impairments such as arthritis, cerebral palsy, or other impairments of the hand or hands.

Self-opening scissors

These can be found for about $10.99 on amazon, and are easily available in retail and craft stores. There is a wide range of adaptive scissors on the market, all designed to meet the varying needs of individuals. These scissors can benefit those with decreased hand strength, such as those with muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. 

Twist and Write pencil. 

There are many writing tools available for various needs and grasping abilities. This tool can be found on Amazon.com at $10.40 for a pack of four, and can also be found through other retailers or office supply stores. This pencil is ergonomically designed and universally designed to be used by anyone and to increase comfort and lessen hand strain and fatigue when writing. This design can benefit any persons who have difficulty with grasping, fine motor, or other impairments that would prevent them from using the traditional tri-fold grip necessary when writing with a traditional pencil. This device could benefit people with cerebral palsy or arthritis. 

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) communication book

This is a commonly found tool in schools, often used with children with autism or who are nonverbal. There are many options for either making or purchasing a binder for this purpose. This particular design can be purchased from pecsusa.com for $36.00. This device is designed to use images to communicate. There are digital versions of the PECS system available as well, the advantage to this book is that it does not need to be charged, is lightweight and easily transportable for the user, and features a carry strap. A disadvantage, however, is it has limited space, and words/phrases must be chosen selectively based upon need and relevance. This device benefits anyone who may be non-verbal or unintelligible, such as people with autism or who have suffered a stroke. There are many versions and designs available to meet individual needs. 

Department Store:

Equate brand Easy Grip toenail clippers

This item can be found at Walmart and costs $9.92. This device is designed for toenail clipping. This design, however, changes the demand for traditional clippers from the use of fingers to the entire hand. This device requires less fine motor accuracy and dexterity. The handles also enlarge the device and would require less of the bending and extending that would be necessary when using traditional nail clippers. This device would benefit someone with grasping impairments, decreased fine motor ability, or bending impairments due to arthritis, cerebral palsy, or surgeries. This device increases people’s ability to perform self-care and keep up with their hygiene and grooming. 

Hands-free automatic can opener

This item was also found at Walmart for $19.97. This device is designed to increase the ease of opening cans and allows the person to push a button and they can walk away and continue cooking preparations. This device is beneficial for persons with grasping impairments or the use of only one hand. This tool could help people with arthritis or congenital hand anomalies to perform essential tasks of cooking and meal preparation. 

Building Supply Store:

Stanley brand panel carry

I found this at Home Depo next for $6.97. The panel carry is designed to make the task of carrying large objects easier. This device could be beneficial in the workplace or possible home tasks/renovations or other large projects. This device eliminates a large amount of bending that is required in lifting such objects and can allow people with back injuries or difficulty in bending to perform this work task of transporting panels and other objects at waist level.

Glacier Bay brand touchless kitchen faucet with LED light

This model costs $199 and was found at Home Depot. This device is designed for ease and efficiency of home dishes. This is designed to eliminate the need to turn the water on and off while doing dishes and saves water as it stops running when it no longer senses motion. This device could benefit people who have difficulty in turning handles/knobs, or people with difficulty grasping. I also liked this particular model, as it was the only option in store with the added visual feature of the LED light. 

Drug Store or Medical Supply Store:

Pocket magnifier

I found this device at CVS. It can be found in other drug or medical supply stores, online, or in department stores like Walmart or Target. The device costs $6.99 and is designed to be a convenient tool used for reading small print. I particularly like this device because of its size and design. It is small and thin and easily fits in a purse or pocket, and features a cover that will prevent scratches and keep it clean. It is very discrete and affordable. This can be a very handy tool for many people with difficulties seeing small print, having low vision, or near-sightedness. 

Raised toilet seat

This device costs $44.99 at CVS. It can be found in other drug or medical supply stores, online, or in department stores like Walmart or Target. It is designed to decrease the distance required to go from the standing/seated position necessary for using the toilet. By adding 4 inches this device requires a person to bend/extend less than when using a standard toilet and puts less stress on joints. This device can be beneficial to the elderly, arthritic, or anyone who has had hip surgery and has limited ability to bend.