The Importance of Assistive Mobility
Assistive mobility is the ability to move and interact with your surroundings. It can be restricted gradually, for example, in a condition like multiple sclerosis or at a moment's notice like in an injury to the spinal cord or limb loss.
Assistive devices are a great method to help people with mobility issues thrive. But before you pick the device you want, it is important to conduct a thorough assessment with a specialist.
Human Assistance
Mobility aids help disabled people deal with the impact of their limitations on their daily lives. They are available in various categories depending on the needs of the person and range from basic items such as walking sticks and specially-designed cups to computer-specific software/hardware and motorized wheelchairs. They are also designed to fit into specific environments such as home, school, and community.
portable scooters of assistive technologies are not suitable for remote and rural areas and low-income countries and should be matched to the individual's needs and environmental factors. Appropriate technologies are easy, efficient and affordable that utilize local techniques, tools and materials and are easy to maintain. They should be based on a human-centered design and be accessible to people who have disabilities.
It is crucial to collaborate with an entire team of AT experts who have worked in the field. The team should comprise of an array of experts and professionals in the field, including family physicians regular and special education teachers rehabilitation engineers speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and consultants from service organizations and manufacturers.
A good assistive technology team will also include a person with a disability. They can be the best source of information on assistive technology, and can help guide you in your decision-making. They can also explain how the device functions and provide you with the opportunity to try it out.
Koris, an individual 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 was unable attend school due to her hearing loss, but through CBR workers trained by Callan Services for Disabled Persons she was able to find a nursery school for children who are deaf and was allowed to send her daughter to school.
CBR programs can also be used to instruct local artisans on the repair of small assistive devices. This can help reduce the need to travel to repair or maintain the device which could make disabled people reluctant to use their devices. For instance the national disabled people's organization in Lebanon set up production units for wheelchairs and other assistive devices, along with distribution, repair and maintenance workshops throughout the country.
Navigation Apps
Navigating one's surroundings can be a challenge for anyone, but this can especially pose a problem for visually impaired individuals. In the past blind people had to rely on others for directions however, now there is many navigation apps that can help them navigate with confidence and independence. With features like GPS technology, audio descriptions, and adaptive functions they can allow for unprecedented levels of accessibility and freedom.
Apps like Google Maps and Commute Booster are some of the most well-known navigation tools available, offering a variety of useful features that cater to the specific needs of each user. For instance the former can provide offline accessibility across the globe which allows users to download maps for specific regions and not the need to use data when navigation. The latter, however, offers real-time updates on public transport schedules, routes and times, allowing users to plan ahead and reach their destination quicker.
These apps also put safety first by ensuring that users follow road regulations and take appropriate precautions on their travels. Some apps offer lane-guided navigation so that users stay on the right side of the road. Others have voice-guided directions that can warn of obstacles that are coming up or crossings for pedestrians. These apps can also save parking locations which can be especially helpful for drivers who struggle with remembering where they left their car.
Other features that can enhance user experience include multi-modal navigation, which allows users to plan and navigate across diverse landscapes with the flexibility of multiple modes of transport. Certain apps allow users to save their preferences by allowing them to exclude toll roads or certain areas from their journeys. This allows for a customized experience that is based on personal preferences.
A lot of these apps use audio signals to inform users about their surroundings, with some offering tactile feedback via vibrations. They can also offer step-by-step instructions that allow users to learn how to complete complex tasks easily and confidently. This will help users develop abilities that allow users to be self-sufficient regardless of whether they're in a difficult setting or going to work.
Complex venues
Providing mobility access in huge places like airports or stadiums can seem impossible at first. However, there are a variety of methods to ensure that people who are disabled do not face obstacles when they visit public spaces. It is important to provide aids that are specifically tailored to their requirements, not generic ones they might discover in a typical shop or renting wheelchairs. CBR programs can help locate local artisans who are interested in making custom orthoses and provide training.
Other options include accessible counters at checkout and information desks. Access to elevators and escalators is essential, as well as large aisles that allow wheelchairs to turn or make a u-turn. In addition, indoor wayfinding apps such as Evelity designed by Okeenea can help people with physical disabilities comprehend their environment and navigate it.
Freedom
In low- and medium-income countries, 5-15% of those who need assistive technologies have access to them. This is due to limited production capacity and scarce resources. In addition, some people aren't aware of the importance of assistive devices.
To ensure that the assistive equipment is suitable for each individual, a comprehensive evaluation is required. This includes a medical exam and physical examination and a discussion of the person's goals. This is especially important when it comes to power mobility and other types of assistive devices. Incorrect selection or fitting can cause discomfort, frustration and secondary conditions such as pressure sores.
Assistive mobility is a method to allow a person to move freely around their surroundings. This includes home, school as well as work and community. This is a legally recognized right under section 6 of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Assistive Mobility can be a life changing tool that boosts independence and self-confidence and helps to promote social inclusion. It can also improve quality of life, and help individuals maintain or recover their functional abilities. For many people who have disabilities assistive mobility means recovering aspects of their lives that they could have lost or not been able to enjoy due to illness or injury.
Freedom Mobility helps disabled veterans and first responders by donating state-of-the-art mobility and lift technologies and specially modified pickups for transport. The organization is supported and partnered with by national corporations and foundations who wish to help wounded veterans and civilian heroes.
Additionally, Freedom Mobility is committed to delivering a better experience for its clients by providing a client-centric mobility outcomes tool that offers evidence of functional improvements and allows routine follow-ups with a certified RESNA ATP. The company can then immediately take preventative measures to avoid negative health outcomes such as skin breakdown or early pressure ulcers. This translates to less time in the hospital, more autonomy and the ability of its clients to stay active and involved in their communities and in their professional lives.
