Editing Assistive technology (section)

==Mobility impairments==
{{main|Mobility aid}}
[[File:Stricker Handbike.jpg|thumb|Wheelchair propelled by attached [[handcycle]]]]

=== Wheelchairs ===
{{Main|Wheelchair}}
Wheelchairs are devices that can be manually propelled or electrically propelled, and that include a seating system and are designed to be a substitute for the normal mobility that most people have. Wheelchairs and other mobility devices allow people to perform mobility-related [[activities of daily living]] which include feeding, toileting, dressing, grooming, and bathing. The devices come in a number of variations where they can be propelled either by hand or by motors where the occupant uses electrical controls to manage motors and seating control actuators through a [[joystick]], [[sip-and-puff]] control, [[head switches]] or other input devices.<ref>Francisco Sandoval, et al. "Wheelchair Collaborative Control For Disabled Users Navigating Indoors." Artificial Intelligence in Medicine 52.3 (2011): 177–191. Academic Search Complete. Web. 9 April 2013</ref> Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing or input devices for caregivers. Wheelchairs are used by people for whom [[walking]] is difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, or disability. Ambulatory wheelchair users may also use other devices, such as walkers. 

Newer advancements in wheelchair design enable wheelchairs to climb stairs, go off-road or propel using [[segway]] technology or additional add-ons like [[Handcycle|handbikes]] or [[Wheelchair power add-on|power assists]].
[[File:UNAwheel Mini Active wheelchair power add-on in Los Angeles 4.jpg|thumb|A wheelchair propelled by attached [[Wheelchair power add-on|power add-on]]]]

=== Transfer devices ===
{{Main|Patient lift}}
Patient transfer devices generally allow patients with impaired mobility to be moved by caregivers between beds, wheelchairs, commodes, toilets, chairs, stretchers, shower benches, automobiles, swimming pools, and other patient support systems (i.e., radiology, surgical, or examining tables).

The most common devices are [[transfer bench]]es, stretcher or convertible chairs (for lateral, supine transfer), sit-to-stand lifts (for moving patients from one seated position to another i.e., from wheelchairs to commodes), air bearing inflatable mattresses (for supine transfer i.e., transfer from a gurney to an operating room table),  [[gait belt]]s (or transfer belt) and a slider board (or transfer board), usually used for transfer from a bed to a wheelchair or from a bed to an operating table.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Doyle|first1=Glynda Rees|last2=McCutcheon|first2=Jodie Anita|date=2015-11-23|chapter=3.2 Body Mechanics|url=https://opentextbc.ca/clinicalskills/chapter/3-2-body-mechanics/|title=Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care |language=en}}</ref> Highly dependent patients who cannot assist their caregiver in moving them often require a [[patient lift]] (a floor or ceiling-suspended sling lift) which though invented in 1955 and in common use since the early 1960s is still considered the state-of-the-art transfer device by OSHA and the American Nursing Association.

=== Walkers ===
{{Main|Walker (mobility)|l1=Walker}}A [[walker (mobility)|walker]] or walking frame is a tool for disabled people who need additional support to maintain balance or stability while walking. It consists of a frame that is about waist high, approximately twelve inches deep and slightly wider than the user. Walkers are also available in other sizes, such as for children, or for heavy people. Modern walkers are height-adjustable. The front two legs of the walker may or may not have wheels attached depending on the strength and abilities of the person using it. It is also common to see caster wheels or glides on the back legs of a walker with wheels on the front.<ref>C. Barrué. Personalization and Shared Autonomy in Assistive Technologies. Ph. Thesis. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. 2012</ref> A walker with three or four wheels is often referred to as a [[Rollator]].

===Treadmills===
[[Bodyweight-supported treadmill training]] (BWSTT) is used to enhance walking ability of people with neurological injury. These machines are therapist-assisted devices that are used in the clinical setting, but is limited by the personnel and labor requirements placed on [[physical therapists]].<ref name="BWSTT">Hornby, T. George, David H. Zemon, and Donielle Campbell. "Robotic-Assisted, Body-Weight–Supported Treadmill Training in Individuals Following Motor Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury." Physical Therapy 85, no. 1 (January 2005): 52–66. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed 9 April 2013)</ref> The BWSTT device, and many others like it, assist physical therapists by providing task-specific practice of walking in people following neurological injury.

=== Prosthesis ===
{{Main|Prosthesis}}A '''prosthesis''', '''prosthetic''', or '''prosthetic limb'''  is a device that replaces a missing [[Human body|body]] part. It is part of the field of [[biomechatronics]], the science of using [[Mechanical system|mechanical]] devices with human [[muscular system|muscular]], [[Human musculoskeletal system|musculoskeletal]], and [[nervous systems]] to assist or enhance motor control lost by [[Trauma (medicine)|trauma]], disease, or [[Congenital disorder|defect]]. Prostheses are typically used to replace parts lost by injury (traumatic) or missing from birth ([[Birth defect|congenital]]) or to supplement defective body parts. Inside the body, [[artificial heart valve]]s are in common use with [[artificial heart]]s and [[artificial lung|lungs]] seeing less common use but under active technology development. Other medical devices and aids that can be considered prosthetics include [[hearing aids]], [[visual prosthesis|artificial eyes]], [[palatal obturator]], [[Adjustable gastric band|gastric bands]], and [[dentures]].

Prostheses are specifically not [[orthoses]], although given certain circumstances a prosthesis might end up performing some or all of the same functionary benefits as an orthosis.  Prostheses are technically the complete finished item.  For instance, a C-Leg knee alone is not a prosthesis, but only a prosthetic component. The complete prosthesis would consist of the attachment system&nbsp; to the residual limb – usually a "socket", and all the attachment hardware components all the way down to and including the terminal device. Despite the technical difference, the terms are often used interchangeably.

The terms "prosthetic" and "orthotic" are adjectives used to describe devices such as a prosthetic knee.  The terms "prosthetics" and "orthotics" are used to describe the respective allied health fields.

An Occupational Therapist's role in prosthetics include therapy, training and evaluations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Hermansson|first1=Liselotte N.|last2=Turner|first2=Kristi|date=October 2017|title=Occupational Therapy for Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Adults with Acquired Upper-Limb Loss: Body-Powered and Myoelectric Control Systems|journal=Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics|volume=29|issue=4S|pages=P45–P50|doi=10.1097/JPO.0000000000000154 |s2cid=79986334|issn=1040-8800}}</ref> Prosthetic training includes orientation to prosthetics components and terminology, donning and doffing, wearing schedule, and how to care for residual limb and the prosthesis.<ref name=":0"/>

=== Exoskeletons ===
A [[powered exoskeleton]] is a wearable mobile machine that is powered by a system of electric motors, pneumatics, levers, hydraulics, or a combination of technologies that allow for limb movement with increased strength and endurance. Its design aims to provide back support, sense the user's motion, and send a signal to motors which manage the gears. The exoskeleton supports the shoulder, waist and thigh, and assists movement for lifting and holding heavy items, while lowering back stress.

=== Adaptive seating and positioning ===
People with balance and motor function challenges often need specialized equipment to sit or stand safely and securely.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mancini |first1=Martina |last2=Horak |first2=Fay B |date=June 2010 |title=The relevance of clinical balance assessment tools to differentiate balance deficits |journal=European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine |volume=46 |issue=2 |pages=239–248 |issn=1973-9087 |pmc=3033730 |pmid=20485226}}</ref> This equipment is frequently specialized for specific settings such as in a classroom or nursing home.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Assistive technology |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=www.who.int |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LDAOeng |date=2014-06-10 |title=Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities |url=https://www.ldatschool.ca/assistive-technology/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=LD@school |language=en-US}}</ref>  Positioning is often important in seating arrangements to ensure that user's body pressure is distributed equally without inhibiting movement in a desired way.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rodby-Bousquet |first1=Elisabet |last2=Agustsson |first2=Atli |date=2021 |title=Postural Asymmetries and Assistive Devices Used by Adults With Cerebral Palsy in Lying, Sitting, and Standing |journal=Frontiers in Neurology |volume=12 |page=758706 |doi=10.3389/fneur.2021.758706 |issn=1664-2295 |pmc=8685523 |pmid=34938261|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Positioning devices have been developed to aid in allowing people to [[Standing frame|stand]] and bear weight on their legs without risk of a fall.  These standers are generally grouped into two categories based on the position of the occupant.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Paleg |first1=Ginny |last2=Altizer |first2=Wendy |last3=Malone |first3=Rachel |last4=Ballard |first4=Katie |last5=Kreger |first5=Alison |title=Inclination, hip abduction, orientation, and tone affect weight-bearing in standing devices |journal=Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine |date=28 September 2021 |volume=14 |issue=3 |page=434 |doi=10.3233/PRM-190660}}</ref>  Prone standers distribute the body weight to the front of the individual and usually have a tray in front of them.  This makes them good for users who are actively trying to carry out some task.  Supine standers distribute the body weight to the back and are good for cases where the user has more limited mobility or is recovering from injury.

===For children===
Children with severe disabilities can develop [[learned helplessness]], which makes them lose interest in their environment. Robotic arms are used to provide an alternative method to engage in joint play activities.<ref>Cook, A., K. Howery, J. Gu, and M. Meng. 2000. "Robot enhanced interaction and learning for children with profound physical disabilities." Technology & Disability 13, no. 1: 1. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed 9 April 2013)</ref> These robotic arms allow children to manipulate real objects in the context of play activities.

Children with disabilities have challenges in accessing play and social interactions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fallon |first1=Joanne |last2=MacCobb |first2=Siobhan |date=August 2013 |title=Free play time of children with learning disabilities in a noninclusive preschool setting: an analysis of play and nonplay behaviours |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bld.12052 |journal=British Journal of Learning Disabilities|volume=41 |issue=3 |pages=212–219 |doi=10.1111/bld.12052 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>  Play is essential for the physical, emotional, and social well-being of all children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ginsberg M.D. |first=Kenneth R. |date=January 2007 |title=The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds |url=https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/119/1/182/70699/The-Importance-of-Play-in-Promoting-Healthy-Child?autologincheck=redirected?nfToken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 |website=American Academy of Pediatrics}}</ref> The use of assistive technology has been recommended to facilitate the communication, mobility, and independence of children with disabilities.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Lohmann |first1=Marla |last2=Hovey |first2=Katrina |last3=Gauvreau |first3=Ariane |last4=Higgins |first4=Joanna |date=September 2019 |title=Using Assistive Technology Tools to Support Learning in the Inclusive Preschool Classroom |url=https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1231819.pdf |journal=Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship  |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=1–11 |via=Education Resources Information Center}}</ref> [[Augmentative and Alternative Communication (journal)|Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) devices]] have been shown to facilitate the growth and development of language as well as increase rates of symbolic play in children with cognitive disabilities.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Barker |first1=Michael |last2=Akaba |first2=Sanea |last3=Brady |first3=Nancy |last4=Theimann-Bourque |first4=Kathy |date=Nov 2013 |title=Support for AAC Use in Preschool, and Growth in Language Skills, for Young Children with Developmental Disabilities |journal=Augmentative and Alternative Communication|volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=334–346 |doi=10.3109/07434618.2013.848933 |pmid=24229337 |pmc=4017351 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=Rebecca |last2=Lacono |first2=Teresa |date=July 2009 |title=AAC and scripting activities to facilitate communication and play |journal=Advances in Speech Language Pathology |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=79–93 |doi=10.1080/14417040510001669111 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14417040510001669111 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> AAC devices can be no-tech (sign language and body language), low-tech (picture boards, paper and pencils), or high-tech (tablets and speech generating devices).<ref name=":2" /> The choice of AAC device is very important and should be determined on a case-by-case basis by speech therapists and assistive technology professionals. The early introduction of powered mobility has been shown to positively impact the play and psychosocial skills of children who are unable to move independently.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Guerette |first1=Paula |last2=Furumasu |first2=Jan |last3=Tefft |first3=Donita |date=Jan 2013 |title=The Positive Effects of Early Powered Mobility on Children's Psychosocial and Play Skills |journal=Assistive Technology |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=39–48 |doi=10.1080/10400435.2012.685824 |pmid=23527430 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10400435.2012.685824 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Powered cars, such as the Go Baby Go program, have emerged as a cost-effective means of facilitating the inclusion of children with mobility impairments in school.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Huang |first1=H |last2=Rodby-Bousquet |first2=E |last3=Paleg |first3=G |date=May 2015 |title=Go baby go! Solutions for maximizing augmented mobility for children |url=https://www.physiotherapyjournal.com/article/S0031-9406(15)00055-3/fulltext}}</ref>