Physical Disability

Assistive Technology

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customised, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. This definition is broad and includes a range of devices from low technology to high technology items as well as software.

AT offers three major areas of assistance to persons with disability:

• Independent living: AT in this group assists users to lead independent lives, without assistance from other individuals, such as wheelchair, commode, hoist, ramp etc, ambulatory aids etc.

• Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC): AT in AAC helps a person with difficulty communicating in getting his message or idea across to others, as well as for others to relate a message or idea to him.

• IT: AT in computer and computer-related accessories help an individual with disability to make use of IT for study, work or leisurely purposes. This area includes both hardware and software.

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Examples of Assistive Technology for persons with Physical Disability

Below are some examples of AT specially designed for persons with Physical Disability:

• Wheelchair

• Walking aids

• Mouse mover

• No Hand Mouse

• Renaissance Mouse

• Track Ball

• Kinesis Keyboard

• Maltron Keyboard

• Language Master

• Prosthetics for all limb loss

• Upper and lower limb orthotics for cerbral palsy, spina bifida, poliomyelitis etc

• Torticolus colar for torticolis

• CVA

• Spinal orthosis for spinal injuries

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Places to purchase or enquire about Assistive Technology for persons with Physical Disability

1. Tan Tock Seng Hospital
   Foot Care and Limb Design Centre (FLC)
   Blk 105 Jalan Tan Tock Seng
   Singapore 308433
   

   Prosthetics & Orthotics Department

   Tel: 6259 4026
   Fax: 6259 7856

2. Singapore General Hospital
   Care Link
   Blk 3, Level 1
   Outram Road
   Singapore 169608
   Tel: 6326 5983, 6326 5980
   Fax: 6326 5982
   
3. Changi General Hospital
   2 Simei Street 3
   Level 1
   Singapore 529889
   Tel: 6850 1868
   

4. Disabled People's Association (DPA)
   Independent Living Centre
   150A Pandan Gardens
   #02-00 Ayer Rajah Day Care Centre
   Singapore 609342
   Tel: 6899 1220
   Fax: 6899 1232
   

5. Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA)
   TIL Display Corner
   16 Whampoa Drive
   Singapore 327725
   Tel: 6254 3006
   Fax: 6253 7375
   Note: HWA also loans out assistive equipment such as wheelchairs, walking frames and commodes

6. Spastic Children's Association of Singapore (SCAS)
   Seating Project for persons with Cerebral Palsy
   Celebral Palsy Centre
   65 Pasir Ris Drive 1
   Singapore 519529
   Tel: 6585 5600
   Fax: 6585 5603
   

7. DNR Wheels Pte Ltd
   Seating Project for persons with Cerebral Palsy
   21 Kim Keat Road #01-03
   Colourscan Building
   Singapore 328805
   Tel: 6254 4070/9730 2362 (hp)
   Fax: 6250 6394
   

8. Lifeline Corporation Pte Ltd
   5 Pereira Road #04-02
   Asiawide Industrial Building
   Singapore 368025
   Tel: 6289 2062
   Fax: 6289 6096
   
   Showrooms:

   • Tan Tock Seng Hospital
     11, Jalan Tan Tock Seng,
     #01-08
     Singapore 308433
     Tel: 6352 0548
     Fax: 6352 0578
     
   • 17 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9
     #01-07/08 Ang Mo Kio Hospital
     Singapore 569766
     Tel: 6455 0431
     Fax: 6455 9760
     

9. Rehabasia
   Rehab Centre
   Westpoint Family Hospital
   No.235 Corporation Drive
   Singapore 619771
   Tel: 6262 5798 / 6265 3009
   Fax: 6262 5859
   Pager: 9521 2921
   

10. Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD)
    2 Peng Nguan Street
    SPD Ability Centre
    Singapore 168955
    Tel: 6323 2303
    Fax: 6323 7008
    
    (SPD is a Specialised Assistive Technology Centre)

11. Singapore Therapeutic, Assistive & Rehabilitative Technologies (START) Centre
    49 Kaki Bukit View
    Kaki Bukit TechPark II
    Singapore 415973
    Tel: 6743 0262
    Fax: 6743 0263
    

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