Adaptive Device

The adaptive device is a tool that can help people with disabilities perform tasks that would normally be done by another person. These devices may include equipment to assist in communication, mobility or daily tasks. In the medical field, they are often referred to as assistive technology (AT).

ADA does not require employers to provide adaptive aids to employees. However, it does require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities who need them. For example, if you have a disability that requires you to use an adaptive device such as a wheelchair or cane while at work and your employer has one available in its inventory, they must provide you access to that device. An employer might also be required by state law (if it is broader than the ADA) or local ordinance (if it is more restrictive than either) to provide adaptive equipment for use at work.

Assistive devices are used to help people with disabilities. People who use assistive devices may have one or more of the following conditions:

• Physical disabilities
• Sensory disabilities, such as deafness or blindness
• Mental retardation and/or brain injuries that affect motor skills and/or speech
• Learning disabilities (such as dyslexia)

Adaptive equipment can be assistive if they help individuals with physical or sensory impairments overcome an obstacle created by their disability. However, adaptive devices are not always assistive; they might also be designed for use by individuals without a disability to better perform tasks in their everyday lives.