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The Importance of Mobility
Mobility is a critical aspect of everyday life.
Being mobile enhances a person's ability to
learn, interact with others, earn a living and
participate in community life.
For 38% of the 54 million Americans with disabilities,
mobility limitations and impairments are permanent.
For these individuals, a variety of mobility
aids and devices are necessary in order to provide
support, motion and access, as well as to enable
them to lead active and fulfilling lives.
Assistive
Technology and Mobility
In order to determine what type of mobility
technology is needed for an individual with
a disability, assessments need to be made on
several levels:
Physical Ability
- Physical ability assessments are conducted
by medical personnel, including physical and
occupational therapists, exercise physiologists,
orthotists, prosthetists and physicians. They
evaluate: muscle strength, posture, sensation,
vision/perception, the skeletal system, the
central/peripheral nervous system, ambulation
capabilities, stamina and energy levels.
Functional Abilities/Activities - Assessment
of functional abilities and desired activities
incorporates:
- determining the activities in which the
individual currently participates
- identifying where these activities take
place
- identifying places where the individual
would like to go but cannot currently go without
assistance
- taking time to observe and get to know the
person; finding out their likes and dislikes;
finding out their current abilities and limitations
Environmental Accessibility
- All aspects of the individual's various
physical environments must be assessed (home,
work, educational, social). For each environment,
information must be gathered on the following:
- entrances and exits (slope and length)
- steps (number, height and depth)
- floor coverings
- hallways and doorways (width)
- location of bathrooms
- methods of gaining access to other floors
- climate and expected weather patterns
Age Considerations -
Finally, the person's age must be considered
from a number of perspectives. For children,
will they outgrow the devices? For children
and adults, what is the stability of the individual's
condition? In addition, what is the impact of
age on future needs?
Ambulation Devices
Ambulation devices include canes, walking poles,
crutches and walkers.
Canes
Canes are used when an individual experiences
weaknesses in the lower extremities. They can
be wooden or metal, as well as single, triple
or quad-footed.
Crutches
Crutches consist of three types. Auxiliary crutches
are wooden or metal and require good arm strength.
Platform crutches provide forearm support and
are used by individuals who cannot put pressure
on their hands or wrists. Forearm crutches and
Lofstrand crutches involve a cuff that encircles
the arm and are commonly used by individuals
with polio.
Walkers
Walkers provide a stable and wide base of support
by ensuring four points of contact with the
floor. They can be two-handed or one-handed.
Wheeled Mobility
A variety of battery-powered and manually-pushed
devices provide wheeled mobility for individuals
who cannot power themselves. Such devices include
scooter boards, knuckle boards, upper-extremity
powered bicycles, reclining bikes, tandem bikes,
and strollers.
Manual Wheelchairs
The basic manual wheelchair has been around
for decades and includes the base components
of a seat, back, and leg/footrest on four wheels.
The standard manual wheelchair is heavy and
offers minimal adjustments for comfort. It is
a basic mobility device and the least expensive
wheelchair. Lightweight high-strength wheelchairs
can be adjusted to create a tilt in the wheelchair
for improving posture. Adjustable ultralight
wheelchairs increase the ease of propulsion
and lower the center of gravity. They are the
most expensive manual wheelchairs.
Power Wheelchairs
Powered wheelchairs run on batteries and cost
from a low of $3,500 to more than $12,000. The
standard power wheelchair is used by an individual
who can operate a joystick with good control
and does not have weakness, tremors, or spasticity
in the upper extremities. The battery is located
under the seat and the settings are preset at
the factory (and therefore not adjustable).
Higher- technology (and therefore more expensive)
wheelchairs have better controls built in. The
user can control acceleration/deceleration rates.
Tremor dampling adjustments can block extraneous
upper extremity movement. Short throw adjustments
allow persons with weakness to have decreased
exertion requirements. Power wheelchairs can
be operated by various control devices, including
a joystick mounted on an armrest, a chin control,
and noncontact switches that respond proportionately
to changes in the user's head position. Tilt
and recline features allow the user to obtain
pressure relief or rest.
Do you have a specific
question or comment about Assistive Technology?
Post it here. Thank
you.
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