The Importance of Assistive Mobility
Assistive mobility is the ability to move and interact with your environment. It can be limited gradually, as in the case of multiple MS or an injury to the spinal cord or limb.
Assistive devices can be a fantastic method to help people with mobility issues to thrive. Before you decide on an assistive device, it's important to get a thorough assessment from a specialist.
Human assistance
Mobility aids can assist people who are disabled overcome the limitations they face in their daily lives. The devices are classified into different categories according to the specific needs of the person. They range from basic equipment such as walking sticks and adapted cup to specialized computer hardware and motorized wheelchairs. The devices are also adapted to specific environments like home, school and community.
A variety of assistive technologies aren't suitable for remote areas or low-income nations. They must be matched with people's needs, as well as environmental factors. The most appropriate technologies are simple, effective and affordable and rely on local techniques, tools and materials and are easily maintained. They should be based on a human-centered design and be accessible to people with disabilities.
The selection of assistive technology is a difficult process, and it's essential to work with a seasoned AT team. The team should consist of an array of professionals and experts in the field, which include family doctors, regular and special education teachers rehabilitation engineers occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and consultants from service companies and manufacturers.
A good assistive technology team will include a person who has disabilities. They can be the best source of information about assistive technology and can assist you in your decision-making. In addition, they can explain the operation of the device and provide you with the chance to try it out.
Koris, a woman who is deaf in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea was fitted with ear molds as an example of a suitable assistive technology. Koris had been unable to go to school because of her hearing loss, but through CBR workers trained by Callan Services for Disabled Persons she learned about a nursery school for children who are deaf and was able to send her daughter to school.
CBR programs also allow local artisans to perform small repairs on assistive devices. This could help to reduce the need for disabled people to travel for long distances to fix and maintain their devices, which could make them reluctant to use them. For instance the national disabled people's organization in Lebanon set up production units for wheelchairs and other assistive devices, as well as distribution workshops for repair and maintenance across the country.
Navigation Apps
Being able to navigate around the surroundings can be a challenge for anyone, but this can be a particular issue for those with visual impairments. In the past, blind people relied on others for directions, but now there are many navigation apps that can help them navigate with confidence and independence. With features such as GPS technology, audio descriptions, and adaptive capabilities, these apps can open doors to unprecedented levels of independence and accessibility.
Apps like Google Maps and Commute Booster are some of the most popular navigation tools available with a range of useful features that can be tailored to the individual's needs. The former, for example provides global offline capabilities that allows users to download maps of specific regions, without needing data to navigate. The latter, however, offers real-time updates on public transport schedules, routes and times, allowing users to plan ahead and reach their destination faster.
They are also designed to prioritize security, making sure that users are following road regulations and taking the appropriate precautions on their journeys. For example, some offer lane guidance to make sure that drivers are on the correct side of the road, and others have voice-guided navigation that can warn of upcoming obstacles or pedestrian crossings. These apps can save the parking locations of parked vehicles. This is especially helpful for drivers that have difficulty remembering where their car is.
Other features that can improve user experience include multi-modal navigation, which allows users to plan and navigate through diverse landscapes while taking advantage of a variety of modes of transportation. Furthermore, certain apps allow personalized preferences to be saved, which allows users to exclude toll roads and certain regions from their journeys to create a customized experience that is based on personal preference.
Many of these navigation apps provide audio cues to inform users about their surroundings, while some providing tactile feedback via vibrations. They can also provide step-bystep instruction, allowing users learn how to tackle difficult tasks with ease and confidence. This will help users develop skills that will help them become more confident and competent, whether they are navigating an unfamiliar environment or completing their work.
Complex Venues
At first, it might seem impossible to provide accessibility in large spaces like stadiums or airports. But there are many ways to make sure users with disabilities don't face any barriers when visiting public places. It is also crucial to provide them with assistive devices that fit their profile and not the generic ones they might be offered in a typical store or renting wheelchairs. CBR programs can help identify local artisans who are interested in making these orthoses custom-made for individuals and assist in training.
Other options include accessible counters at checkout and information desks. It is crucial to have accessibility to elevators, escalators and large aisles where wheelchairs can turn around or make a turn. In electric mobility scooters , indoor wayfinding apps such as Evelity developed by Okeenea are helpful to help users with physical disabilities apprehend their environment and navigate it.
Freedom
In low- and middle-income countries, 5 to 15% of those who need assistive technologies have access these. This is due to limited production capacity and scarce resources. Many people are unaware of the importance of assistive technology.
To ensure that the assistive equipment is suitable for each individual, a comprehensive assessment is required. This includes an examination of medical history, a review of current function physical examination, and a discussion of the individual's goals. This is crucial in the case of power mobility and other kinds of assistive devices. Incorrect selection or fitting could cause discomfort, frustration and secondary conditions like pressure sores.
Assistive mobility is a method to enable a person to move around freely in their surroundings. This includes home, school, workplace, and the community. This is a legally recognized right under section 6 of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Assistive Mobility is a life changing tool that increases independence and self-confidence, and promotes social inclusion. It can also help improve the quality of life for those who need it and retain or restore functional abilities. For many people who have suffered injuries or become disabled, assistive mobility allows them to return aspects of their lives that they've lost or never experienced.
Freedom Mobility helps disabled veterans and first responders by donating the latest technology in mobility and lift and specially modified pickups to transport people. The organization is supported and partnered with by national foundations and corporations that want to give back to injured military and civilian heroes.
In addition, Freedom Mobility is committed to delivering a better experience for its customers by providing a client-centric mobility outcomes tool that provides evidence of functional improvements and enables routine follow-ups with a certified RESNA APT. This enables Freedom Mobility to detect any potential negative health outcomes, such as skin break-up, pressure ulcers that are early or other issues related to mobility, and to take prompt preventative actions. This translates to less downtime, greater independence, and the ability for its clients to remain active and engaged within their communities and their careers.