The Importance of Assistive Mobility
Assistive mobility is the ability to move around and interact with the surrounding. It can be restricted gradually, for example, in a condition like multiple sclerosis or at a moment's notice when it is a result of an injury to the spinal cord or loss of limbs.
Assistive devices can be a fantastic option to help those who have mobility issues succeed. Before you choose an assistive device, it's important to get a thorough assessment by a qualified specialist.
Human Assistance
Mobility aids help disabled people deal with the impact of their limitations on their everyday lives. The devices are divided into various categories based on the specific needs of the person. They vary from basic devices such as walking sticks and adapted cup to specialized computer hardware and motorized wheelchairs. These devices are also made for specific environments, e.g., home school, community, and home.
Many types of assistive technologies aren't suitable for remote or rural areas and countries with low incomes. They must be matched with people's needs, as well as environmental factors. Appropriate technology is simple, effective and affordable, utilizing local skills, materials and tools, and is easily maintained. They should be designed with people in mind and accessible to people with disabilities.
The selection of assistive technology is a complex procedure, and it's crucial to collaborate with an experienced AT team. The team should consist of an array of experts in the field, including family doctors, regular education teachers and special education teachers, as well as rehabilitation engineers. Other experts could include occupational therapists and speech language pathologists.
A good assistive technology team should also include someone with disabilities. They can be the best source of information about 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.
An example of a suitable assistive technology is the ear molds for Koris, a deaf woman living in the East Sepik province of Papua New Guinea. Koris had been unable to go to school due to her hearing loss, however through CBR workers who were trained by Callan Services for Disabled Persons she was introduced to a school for children with hearing impairments and was allowed to send her daughter to school.
CBR programs also allow local artisans to make small repairs on assistive devices. This can reduce the need for disabled people to travel for long distances to repair and maintain their devices, which can hinder them from using them. For instance, a national disabled people's organization in Lebanon established production units for wheelchairs and other assistive devices as well as distribution workshops for repair and maintenance throughout the country.
Navigation Apps
It isn't easy to get around visually impaired people might have a difficult time. In the past blind people had to rely on others for directions but today, there's an array of navigation apps that can help them navigate with confidence and independence. With features like GPS technology, audio descriptions, and adaptive functionality they can open doors to unprecedented levels of freedom and accessibility.
Apps like Google Maps and Commute Booster are among the most well-known navigation tools available, offering a variety of useful features that can be tailored to the specific needs of each user. For example the former can provide offline access across the globe, allowing users to download maps for specific regions, and avoid needing to use data while navigation. The latter, however, offers real-time updates on public transport schedules, routes and times, allowing users the ability to plan ahead and reach their destination quicker.
They also focus on safety by ensuring that users comply with road regulations and take appropriate precautions on their travels. For instance, some apps provide guidance for lane usage to ensure that users are keeping to the correct side of the road, and others feature voice-guided navigation which will alert you of obstacles or pedestrian crossings. These apps can also save parked spots which can be especially beneficial for those who have difficulty remembering where they left their car.
Other features that can improve user experiences include multi-modal navigation that allows users to plan their journeys and navigate different landscapes using the flexibility of multiple modes of transport. Some apps also let users save their preferences and remove toll roads or certain regions from their travels. This creates a tailored experience that is based on personal preferences.
A lot of these apps provide audio cues to inform users about their surroundings, while some providing tactile feedback through vibrations. They also offer step-by-step instruction, allowing users learn how to tackle difficult tasks with confidence and ease. This will help users develop abilities that will allow them to be self-sufficient, regardless of whether they're dealing with a complicated venue or getting to work.
Complex Venues
At first, it may seem impossible to offer accessibility in large venues like airports or stadiums. But there are many ways to ensure that those with disabilities don't face any barriers when visiting public places. It is important to provide assistive devices that are specifically tailored to their needs, and not the generic ones they discover in a typical shop or renting wheelchairs. CBR programmes can identify local artisans who are interested in making these orthoses custom-made for individuals and assist in training.
Other options include accessible information desks as well as checkout areas with lowered counters. It is crucial to have access to elevators, escalators and wide aisles where wheelchairs can turn around or take an uturn. Finally, mobile electric scooters wayfinding apps such as Evelity designed by Okeenea can help those with physical disabilities understand their surroundings and navigate.
Freedom
In low- and medium-income countries, 5-15 percent of people who require assistive technologies have access to these. This is mainly because of inadequate production capacity and limited resources. Some people do not know the importance of assistive technology.
A thorough assessment is required to ensure that the assistive device is appropriate for the individual. This involves a medical review and physical examination and a discussion of the person's goals. This is crucial in the case of power mobility as well as other types of assistive devices. A poor choice or inadequate fitting could result in discomfort, frustration and other conditions, like pressure sores.
The purpose of assistive mobility is to permit a person to move freely through their surroundings, which includes home, school, work and in the community. This freedom is a right explicitly acknowledged in section 6 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Assistive mobility can be an important tool that increases self-confidence and independence and encourages social inclusion. It can also help improve the quality of life and keep or regain functional capabilities. For many people who have disabilities assistive mobility is about getting back the things in their lives that they could have lost or not been able to enjoy due to injury or disease.
Freedom Mobility helps disabled veterans and first responders by donating state-of-the-art mobility and lift technologies and specially modified pickups for transport. Freedom Mobility is backed by national corporations and foundations who partner with it to give back to heroes of the military and civilian world who have suffered injuries in the service of their country.
In addition, Freedom Mobility is committed to delivering a better experience for its clients by providing an innovative tool for the client-centric management of mobility that provides evidence of functional improvements and allows routine follow-ups with a certified RESNA APT. The company is then able to immediately take preventative measures to reduce the risk of negative health consequences, such as skin breakdown or the development of pressure ulcers. This means less time spent in hospital for clients, greater independence and the ability to remain active and engaged in their communities and work.