Do you love where you live but struggle with some day-to-day tasks? Need help with things that you want to be able to do yourself at home or in the community? Assistive technologies could help you boost your independence, with equipment and devices designed to support you to complete tasks yourself or with less help from others.
The term assistive technology spans a wide range of equipment created for-purpose to help people living with disability live more independently at home and reach their goals in daily activities.
The technologies can be seen as an extra helping hand in day-to-day life, helping you personalise your home and tailor it to your specific needs. But where do you start?
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology offers you ways to boost your independence at home and in the community through equipment and devices designed to help you do things you find hard because of your disability. It helps you to independently complete daily living tasks in safe and practical ways.
Assistive technology is a very broad term which can refer to basic equipment such as a non-slip mat on the floor of your shower, or complex devices such as powered adjustable beds.
The NDIS has detailed guidelines on assistive technologies and funding available for them on an individual basis. Funding will only be available for assistive technology that is related to your disability, equipment that helps you complete tasks you’re not able to without it, or that help you rely less on others to do.
How to tell what is, and what isn’t assistive technology
The NDIS explains assistive technology as equipment or devices that help you do things you can’t currently do because of your disability.
Items that are included in the description of assistive technology:
- Mean you need less help from others to keep doing the things you need to do
- Help you do things more easily or safely, and complete tasks independently
- Are personalised for you and must relate to your disability
Items that aren’t included are:
- Home equipment that everyone uses that is unrelated to your disability, for example a kettle or a microwave
- Items for treatment and rehabilitation, and assessment or therapy tools used by therapists
- Changes to public spaces such as a footpath, and changes to public vehicles such as buses or taxis
What are some examples of assistive technology?
Assistive technology can range from physical items to digital solutions. Common examples are:
- Wheelchairs
- Glasses
- Electric beds
- Prostheses
- Assistive canes
- Talking devices
- Hearing aids
- Speech recognition software
- Time management software
When applying for funding, assistive technology falls into three categories:
- Low-cost: under $1,500 per item
- Mid-cost: between $1,500 and $15,000 per item
- High-cost: over $15,000 per item
The NDIS recommends speaking with an Assistive Technology Advisor about options that suit your lifestyle and needs. Higher categories need formal assessments to take place before funding is approved. An AT advisor may be an allied health practitioner, continence nurse, rehabilitation engineer, or other qualified practitioner.
Should I rent or buy assistive technology?
It depends on the item you want, what you want it for, and whether your needs are likely to change. It’s best to buy some assistive technology items, but for others it might be better to rent or borrow them.
The NDIS has information on how they work out funding if you need to trial or rent assistive technology short-term, and some providers offer ‘trial to buy’ arrangements.