24 msfocusmagazine.org New in Assistive Technology By Nick Mireles According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 20 percent of Americans have a diagnosed disability, either physical or psychological. Keep in mind that this percentage does not include those who are not formally diagnosed. The most common disabilities are spinal cord or back injuries. Mental impairments include depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Neurological impairments – such as multiple sclerosis – account for 11 percent of this population. With so many people experiencing disability, there is an ever-present need for new technologies that foster good quality of life. Assistive technology for the disabled community has made great strides in the last few decades. AT is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities. AT promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish or with which they had great difficulty. Assistive technology can be divided into three categories: Low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech. Low-tech devices generally do not require electricity and include walkers, wheelchair ramps, and eating aid utensils. Mid-tech items are generally, but not always, battery operated and include magnifiers, tablets, and hearing aids. High-tech devices are strictly electronic and often require instructions for use. Examples are environ- mental control units, powered wheelchairs, and voice output devices. Here are a few recent examples of devices I have recommended: Active Hands Gripping Aids are a great example of a low-tech device. When you have an injury or a disability that reduces or completely eliminates hand function, it’s catastrophic to your independence. Our world is made for people with fine motor skills. Gripping aids give back that independence by reinforcing your grip, giving back the ability to chop with knives, work out, and so much more.TheActive Hands glove functions by tightening a strap in the upper sections, gently pulling your hand into a fist shape. You can adjust the tension to fit the dimensions of multiple items. They are made of tough webbing, comfortable to wear, and are machine washable. The Pebble Portable Video Magnifier is a great example of a mid-tech device. It is a hand-held portable video magnifier for the visually impaired. You simply hold the magnifier over things you wish to enlarge. The Pebble comeswith rechargeable batteries, an LCD light, and a built-in camera. It comes with freeze-frame capabilities, and has 28 viewing modes with adjustable brightness and color contrast. The Pebble is ideal because of its small size and portability. Symptom Management