The primary purpose of assistive devices and technologies is to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence to facilitate participation, and to enhance overall well-being.
It can also help prevent impairments and secondary health conditions. These devices include, but are not limited to:
- Mobility assistive devices (e.g crutches, walking frames)
- Self-care assistive devices (e.g wash mittens, buttonhooks, buildup grips for utensils)
- Speech-language therapy services to patients and their families or caregivers (e.g. auditory training for children with cochlear implants and hearing aids; speech-reading; speech and language intervention secondary to hearing loss)
- Developing, selecting, and prescribing multimodal augmentative and alternative communication systems, including unaided strategies (e.g. manual signs, gestures) and aided strategies (e.g. manual communication boards, picture schedules)