CREATED TO RAISE AWARENESS, CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS
AND TAKE ACTION FOR EQUALITY OF PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

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ASSISTIVE DEVICES


Assistive devices help people with disabilities do what nondisabled persons can do. They can help people with physical disabilities overcome limitations.  However, assistive devices are not always available. According to WHO, in some countries only 5 to 15% of physically disabled people can afford assistive devices. Many insurance companies do not cover the cost of assistive device, so people can't afford them. There is also not enough people who can train people with disabilities how to use the equipment.

Here are some common assistive devices and what they do:

WHEELCHAIRS AND WALKING AIDS
Wheelchairs allow people who cannot stand or control movement of their lower body move around. There are many different types of wheelchairs. Some wheelchairs are manual which means that a person pushes it to go. Others are electric so the go with a small engine. There are also special wheelchairs that allow people to do specific activities such as sports. For people who have some ability to stand and walk there are different types of walkers that help persons with physical disabilities keep balance.
PROSTHETIC DEVICES
Prosthetic device replace a missing body parts.  So the people who are born with missing limbs or had limbs amputated can replace them with a mechanical one. Today's prosthetic devices look almost like real limbs and can be designed for many purposes. Prosthetic device are custom made for each individual and they need to be replaced when a person grows or gets heavier.
HEARING AND VISION AIDS
Some people with physical disabilities have trouble hearing and seeing or may be deaf or blind. For people with vision problems glasses and other aids that make objects larger can help. There are also hearing aids that make sounds louder, allowing people to hear better.
COMPUTER DEVICES
Computers help people with physical disabilities communicate.  Some of them use Alternative Communication System and enter symbols or codes in the computer. Sometimes they use head pointing devices because the rest of their body cannot e used in communication. In the future computers may make our world more equal because physically disabled can communicate, work from home, take classes online or even shop and order online.




CREDITS:

Walker, Paul. Personal Interview. 01 Mar 2008.

Watson, Sue. "Tips for Working with Students with Severe Handicaps." http://specialed.about.com/od/physicaldisabilities/a/severe.htm. 20 Nov 2007