A guide to assistive aids and technology

This assistive aids and technology guide is a resource for a range of people, such as carers, staff, service users, managers, and commissioners. It has been written to aid the use and development of assistive technology (AT) and assistive aids, enabling continual professional development and promoting AT throughout the health and social care sector. Plymouth City Council has produced this guide using content that was developed by I-Grow Care and Support Ltd. through its project funded by Skills for Care.

In today's modern society, it is important for social, care, and support workers to attain skills and knowledge in AT to identify opportunities where AT can be used as a solution to a care or support need.

You do not have to be a technical expert to use AT; you just have to be able to establish where it can be used effectively and efficiently. Increasing numbers of people who access social services are using AT, which has implications for their carers. Therefore, when the use of AT has been identified, it becomes a journey of discovery and learning with the partnership of the carer, support staff, and organisation to enable the life of its beneficiary.

Please note that the companies and products mentioned in this guide are given only as examples to indicate what is available on the market; Plymouth City Council does not endorse any company or product.

Many of the websites named in this guide supply multiple types of assistive aids and technology. If you visit any of these websites, you may wish to discover which other products are available, as there are too many to be listed in this guide.

What are assistive aids and technology

Assistive Technology refers to any device that enables an individual to perform a task that they ordinarily would be unable to do or would need additional support to carry out. Assistive technology promotes independence, choice, control, and enablement.

Useful contacts to help you with assistive aids and technology

Local and national organisations that can help answer any assistive technology questions you have and provide support.

Speaking support using assistive aids and technology

Communicating with people is important; it enables you to tell people your likes and dislikes.

Hearing support using assistive aids and technology

Assistive technology can make sound accessible by using other senses to convey meaning by using lights or vibrations. There are numerous alerting devices that can warn you of situations such as the doorbell, phone ringing or the smoke detector.

Vision support using assistive aids and technology

Technology has advanced the growth of assistive technology for blind or partially sighted individuals. It is much easier for people to operate and have access to various devices that can enable them in everyday life.

Writing support using assistive aids and technology

Writing is an important part of daily living. There is a variety of assistive technology available aimed at making the written word more accessible, from writing instruments adapted to make writing physically more comfortable, to software which helps to improve literacy skills.

Relaxation support using assistive aids and technology

Feeling well support using assistive aids and technology

Assistive technology can assist an individual to monitor his or her health at home and then share their health data electronically with medical professionals at their hospital. There is a range of telehealth monitoring devices to monitor heart conditions, diabetes, etc.

Leisure support using assistive aids and technology

Making time for leisure - hobbies and activities which you find fun - is an essential part of life and sometimes you might discover a hobby you never knew you were good at. Smartphones and tablet devices have the ability to download a wealth of fun. There are also apps that provide information about events or interests in your local area.

Memory support using assistive aids and technology

Memory loss can make day-to-day life more difficult. Simple situations like mislaying keys or forgetting the date, or more risky scenarios like forgetting to take medication, can prove frustrating and dangerous.

Local community support using assistive aids and technology

You can use assistive technology to discover more about local history, events, opportunities, and groups you may want to interact with. Search for groups on Facebook that you can join - many public groups and local business promote themselves on Facebook as it is a free programme that is used by millions of people.

Out and about support using assistive aids and technology

Travelling and getting about can be challenging when, for example, the destination is unfamiliar, or you are unsure whether disabled facilities are available en-route. Assistive Technology can promote independence when travelling, with downloads for satnav devices or mobile phones.

Shopping support using assistive aids and technology

Feeling comfortable and confident enough to be able to do your own shopping is important to many people. However, the experience of shopping in a large supermarket can be daunting and can cause anxiety. One way to combat this is to use a shopping app to shop online so that you may still choose what products you are purchasing.

Family and social network support using assistive aids and technology

Although not designed as assistive technology, social networking sites can and do function in this way as they can offer socially isolated and disabled people and their carers some opportunities to enhance their lives.

Around the home support using assistive aids and technology

Feeling comfortable in the space in which you live is essential to your wellbeing. House- keeping and cleaning can improve this sense of wellbeing and help to maintain independence. Apps that help explain more complicated house-keeping tasks using a story sequence can help us to remember these tasks easier.

Home automation support using assistive aids and technology

You can use home automation technology to help make your life easier around the home. Some solutions even let you manage your home remotely, or use it to check on a relative that needs additional support.

Eating and cooking support using assistive aids and technology

Choosing what we eat or drink and being able to prepare it and eat it ourselves, allows us to feel independent. People who are visually impaired may find navigating a traditional kitchen a daunting experience or find some food labels difficult to read. Assistive technology can help with this by communicating information in an easier format. Other forms of assistive technology can aid with the process of independent eating by helping with movement.

Care and personal safety support using assistive aids and technology

Personal safety and safety in the home is vitally important to everyone. To enhance safety in the home there are several alarm systems available that will sound an alert if, for example, smoke or water is detected. Other personal alarm systems can be used to alert for assistance if someone finds themselves in difficulty.

Money and budgeting support using assistive aids and technology

Being in control of your own money is important but can be difficult. You can use assistive technology to help understand exactly how much money you have coming in and how much money you have going out, and what you are spending the most on. This helps you to spend your money on what you want.