Assistive devices

An assistive device, when it comes to mobility, is any device that you use to improve stability, dexterity, or mobility, vision or hearing.

Assistive Listening Device

How is it used?

An assistive device can be worn, hand-held, or used in a seated position.

Other uses of the term

Technical tools and devices such as alphabet boards, text telephones, or text-to-speech conversion software used to aid individuals who have communication disorders perform actions, tasks, and activities.

Hinged Brace

Hand-held assistive devices

Hand-held assistive devices include walkers, canes, or crutches, which you hold onto with your hand(s) to support or aid you in walking. When you use a one-handed, hand-held assistive device (such as a cane) with one upper extremity to walk and you cannot use your other upper extremity for fine or gross movements, the need for the assistive device limits the use of both upper extremities. If you use a hand-held assistive device, we need evidence from a medical source describing how you walk with the device.

Wheeled and seated mobility device

Wheeled and seated mobility devices are assistive devices that you use in a seated position, such as manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, rollators, and power operated vehicles.

Wheeled and seated mobility devices

Wheeled and seated mobility devices involving the use of both hands. Some wheeled and seated mobility devices involve the use of both hands to use the assistive device (for example, most manual wheelchairs). If you use a wheeled and seated mobility device that involves the use of both hands, then the need for the assistive device limits the use of both upper extremities.

Woman in motorized wheelchair Little Grill Collective Harrisonburg VA May 2008

Wheeled and seated devices

Wheeled and seated devices involving the use of one hand. Some wheeled and seated mobility devices involve the use of one hand to use the assistive device (for example, most motorized wheelchairs). If you use a wheeled and seated mobility device that involves the use of one upper extremity and you cannot use your other upper extremity for fine or gross movements, then the need for the assistive device limits the use of both upper extremities.

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