With so many assistive technology products available, it may be difficult for you to determine which products are best for you. Websites like AbleData and Technology for Long Term Care are useful resources for determining what products suit your or a loved one’s needs.
AbleData provides objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment for consumers, organizations, caregivers and professionals within the United States. AbleData classifies products by function and are separated into 20 categories. Some categories are communication, blind or low vision, deaf or low hearing, education, prosthetics and wheeled mobility. After selecting a category, a new website page appears that lists individual products. Each product has information such as name, use, size, color and price. AbleData also provides contact information for the producer of each assistive technology product. The organization does not distribute, produce or sell any of the products featured on the website.
AbleData recommends using the information on the website as well as opinion from doctors, therapists and other professionals in the assistive technology industry. The assistive technology library includes over 40,000 products. A search function is available for finding specific devices quickly. The company is headquartered in Silver Spring, MD and is a part of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA).
The Technology for Long Term Care website functions in a similar way to AbleData and provides information about products for healthcare professionals and caregivers. The mission of Technology for Long Term Care is to provide a resource for people to improve quality of life in long-term care settings like nursing homes, adult day care programs and assisted living. The website is organized the same way as AbleData with product categories and a list of useful products with the same function within that category. Some product categories include communication and memory, bathing, eating, assistance call and mobility. Like AbleData, no products can be purchased through the Technology for Long Term Care website. This database contains over 1,200 products.