| In our modern society disability should no | | | | makes it possible to travel over distances |
| longer be a barrier to learning, to having | | | | that are too far to walk. |
| access to goods, facilities and services, to | | | | |
| buying or renting land or property, or to | | | | Appropriate housing or at least the ability |
| employment. New, technologically enhanced | | | | to perform minimal daily activities is the |
| disability products are available for those | | | | key to independent living. A variety of |
| with physical challenges, making it easier | | | | disability aids are available to help living |
| for them to perform activities within the | | | | and working around the house. Mobility aids |
| normal range of a person. These products | | | | (the classical wheelchair), new devices such |
| together with an adequately adapted | | | | as kitchen and household enhancements (grab |
| environment can facilitate both passive and | | | | bars located in critical locations) and |
| active integration into society. | | | | ergonomic workstations and furniture are now |
| | | | easily obtainable helping movement and for |
| Included in the definition of disability is | | | | functioning around the house. The ability to |
| the difficulty to carry out activities | | | | walk or move, take care of personal hygiene |
| considered simple basic ones for a regular | | | | and manage day-to-day living activities for |
| human being, because of impairment. No matter | | | | themselves will minimize reliance on others |
| the type of disability (mobility | | | | and will increase the self-confidence and |
| difficulties, learning difficulties or | | | | quality of life of those with disabilities. |
| sensory impairments) it should not be a | | | | |
| barrier because people with disabilities can | | | | More and more people with various types of |
| now escape this discouraging stigma with the | | | | disabilities use such devices which help them |
| help of various and largely available types | | | | lead independent lives by enhancing |
| of disability products. | | | | self-determination and giving them the |
| | | | opportunity to pursue an objective. Although |
| Most of those suffering from certain | | | | nowadays there are few disabled adults in |
| affections are not familiar with just how | | | | employment, the children with disabilities |
| many useful things are now available for | | | | have access to education and training. This |
| online purchase. Independent living | | | | will help them develop skills needed for |
| technology is continuously developing new | | | | future employment and social integration. |
| disability products. Some examples of simple | | | | |
| disability aids are: a walker to make moving | | | | Disability aids have a great impact on the |
| around easier, an amplification device to | | | | life of those with disabilities or those |
| help those with partial hearing loss when | | | | working or involved with them. Disability |
| talking on the telephone or watching | | | | products give those who need it, the chance |
| television or a magnifying glass that helps | | | | to minimize reliance on others in making |
| someone with low vision read the newspaper. | | | | decisions and in performing common day-to-day |
| Even these simple, classical products are now | | | | activities. Together with an adequately |
| enhanced with new designs and durable | | | | adapted environment they can work to diminish |
| materials to increase their utility and make | | | | their disabilities, to learn how to deal with |
| them more easy to use. More sophisticated | | | | their problems and to become socially |
| disability products are also available such | | | | adapted. |
| as small motor scooters, for example, that | | | | |