You're standing in the therapy office, and the occupational therapist hands you a catalog the size of a phone book. "Here's what's available for self-feeding," she says. Forty-seven pages of spoons. It's not that you don't appreciate the options. It's that you don't know which problem you're trying to solve yet, let alone which $28 spoon solves it better than the $12 one. Assistive technology for daily living skills isn't complicated because the tools are complex. It's complicated because there are thousands of products, terminology is inconsistent, and no one teaches you how to start with the skill and work backward to the tool. This guide does that work for you. How to Think About Assistive Technology. Assistive technology (AT) is anything that helps a person do something they couldn't do independently or do more easily. That definition spans a $3 reacher to a $30,000 power wheelchair. For daily living skills, most of what you'll encounter falls into three tiers: Low-tech tools require no power source and are usually one-time purchases under $50. Built-up handles on utensils, dressing sticks, shower chairs. Mid-tech tools may have batteries or basic electronics but don't connect to apps or require configuration. Talking medication reminders, weighted utensils with timers, automatic jar openers. High-tech tools involve software, customization, or integration with other systems. Environmental control units that operate lights and locks, tablet-based meal planning apps with visual schedules, smart home setups controlled by voice or switch. Start low-tech unless the skill gap genuinely...

A practical guide to assistive devices for self-care, household tasks, and mobility, organized by skill, not device type.

Assistive Technology That Helps: Tools for Daily Living Independence

You're standing in the therapy office, and the occupational therapist hands you a catalog the size of a phone book. "Here's what's available for self-feeding," she says. Forty-seven pages of spoons. It's not that you don't appreciate the options. It's that you don't know which problem you're trying to solve yet, let alone which $28 spoon solves it better than the $12 one. Assistive technology for daily living skills isn't complicated because the tools are complex. It's complicated because there are thousands of products, terminology is inconsistent, and no one teaches you how to start with the skill and work backward to the tool. This guide does that work for you. How to Think About Assistive Technology. Assistive technology (AT) is anything that helps a person do something they couldn't do independently or do more easily. That definition spans a $3 reacher to a $30,000 power wheelchair. For daily living skills, most of what you'll encounter falls into three tiers:  Low-tech tools require no power source and are usually one-time purchases under $50. Built-up handles on utensils, dressing sticks, shower chairs.  Mid-tech tools may have batteries or basic electronics but don't connect to apps or require configuration. Talking medication reminders, weighted utensils with timers, automatic jar openers.  High-tech tools involve software, customization, or integration with other systems. Environmental control units that operate lights and locks, tablet-based meal planning apps with visual schedules, smart home setups controlled by voice or switch. Start low-tech unless the skill gap genuinely...

Tap to Talk is a new application by Assistyx that "turns handheld devices like smart phones and tablets into AAC (Augmentive and Alternative Communication) devices." For those individuals unfamiliar with those terms, this app assists nonverbal children communicate. For those parents and caregivers of nonverbal children, meeting your child's needs on a daily basis can be a struggle. However, through the use of technology, new ways of communication become easier and more manageable. The app features categories such as places to go, things to eat, and emotions. When a child taps on a category, a voice states which subject area the child is entering. The child then has options to choose from, and the child can tap on the picture. For example, when entering the things to eat category, the app states "I'm hungry," and the child can choose the picture of the food her wants to eat — if he chooses a carrot, the voice speaks, "a carrot, please." Features of this app include: Customization: You can choose pictures from the Tap to Talk library, or you can add your own. You can also include your own text and sounds. The Tap to Talk designer allows you to create the environment appropriate for each individual. Portable: Since the app is available for smart phones and tablets, it can be taken anywhere. Smart design: The app is developed by Phil Bookman, an expert on creating technology-based educational tools for special needs kids. Parents who...

Tap to Talk app helps nonverbal children communicate using AAC on handheld devices with customizable features for $99.95/year or $179.95.

Special Needs App of the Day: Tap to Talk

    Tap to Talk is a new application by Assistyx that "turns handheld devices like smart phones and tablets into AAC (Augmentive and Alternative Communication) devices." For those individuals unfamiliar with those terms, this app assists nonverbal children communicate. For those parents and caregivers of nonverbal children, meeting your child's needs on a daily basis can be a struggle. However, through the use of technology, new ways of communication become easier and more manageable. The app features categories such as places to go, things to eat, and emotions. When a child taps on a category, a voice states which subject area the child is entering. The child then has options to choose from, and the child can tap on the picture. For example, when entering the things to eat category, the app states "I'm hungry," and the child can choose the picture of the food her wants to eat — if he chooses a carrot, the voice speaks, "a carrot, please." Features of this app include:  Customization: You can choose pictures from the Tap to Talk library, or you can add your own. You can also include your own text and sounds. The Tap to Talk designer allows you to create the environment appropriate for each individual. Portable: Since the app is available for smart phones and tablets, it can be taken anywhere. Smart design: The app is developed by Phil Bookman, an expert on creating technology-based educational tools for special needs kids.  Parents who...

urTalker Lite is a communication device that gives a voice to non-verbal individuals or those who struggle with speaking. The app comes with 7 categories and over 150 images, and it also includes the ability for customization, so you can build the app to suit your needs. Each category includes clear text and an image, which provides a visual stimulus, and when you tap on a given picture, a voice speaks the words that accompany the picture. urTalker Lite also allows you to put items or actions in a sequence, which allows you to learn orders of activities. For example, to explain a series of activities for bedtime routines, you can select events such as bath, brush teeth, clothes, bed, and story. You can rearrange these activities in a different order by clicking and dragging the icon on the screen. If the app does not include every event you want to include, or if you want to create your own categories, urTalker Lite gives you a user-friendly way to add your own information. In the Settings menu, you can Select "Modify Categories" to make your own category. Give the category a name, select a color, record a sound, and set the category as "default by schedule" (which gives you a chance to schedule the event for a particular day and time). Also inside the Settings menu of urTalker Lite, you can select "Modify Words" to add words into...

urTalker Lite is an affordable customizable communication app for non-verbal individuals with over 150 images and customizable categories.

Special Needs App of the Day: urTalker Lite

  urTalker Lite is a communication device that gives a voice to non-verbal individuals or those who struggle with speaking.    The app comes with 7 categories and over 150 images, and it also includes the ability for customization, so you can build the app to suit your needs. Each category includes clear text and an image, which provides a visual stimulus, and when you tap on a given picture, a voice speaks the words that accompany the picture.   urTalker Lite also allows you to put items or actions in a sequence, which allows you to learn orders of activities. For example, to explain a series of activities for bedtime routines, you can select events such as bath, brush teeth, clothes, bed, and story. You can rearrange these activities in a different order by clicking and dragging the icon on the screen.    If the app does not include every event you want to include, or if you want to create your own categories, urTalker Lite gives you a user-friendly way to add your own information. In the Settings menu, you can Select "Modify Categories" to make your own category. Give the category a name, select a color, record a sound, and set the category as "default by schedule" (which gives you a chance to schedule the event for a particular day and time).   Also inside the Settings menu of urTalker Lite, you can select "Modify Words" to add words into...

On February 25, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a Local Coverage Determination (LCD) that would deny Medicare coverage for seat elevation systems on Group 2 non-complex power wheelchairs, specifically HCPCS codes K0830 and K0831. The public comment period closed April 4. A final determination has not yet been issued. The proposal affects thousands of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on seat elevation for transfers, pressure relief, reaching objects at counter height, and eye-level social interaction. It does not affect Group 2 complex wheelchairs or Group 3 wheelchairs, which remain covered. CMS cited "very low certainty evidence" that seat elevation leads to statistically significant improvements in transfers, pain reduction, activities of daily living, or fall prevention. Advocacy organizations including the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD), Lakeshore Foundation, and the ITEM Coalition filed opposition letters on April 3, arguing that the clinical literature hasn't caught up to what families and clinicians see every day. Here's what the proposed restriction covers, who it affects, why advocates say it's wrong, and what families who currently rely on seat elevation for daily function should do now. What CMS Proposed. The proposed LCD would deny Medicare coverage for seat elevation systems on Group 2 non-complex power wheelchairs. These systems are also called power seat elevation or elevating leg rests. Group 2 wheelchairs are standard power wheelchairs prescribed for individuals who can't operate a manual chair but don't require the advanced customization of a complex rehab chair. The two HCPCS codes...

CMS proposed denying Medicare coverage for seat elevation on Group 2 power wheelchairs. Here's what families should do now.

CMS Is Proposing to End Medicare Coverage for Wheelchair Seat Elevation Systems. Here's What Families Can Do Now.

On February 25, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a Local Coverage Determination (LCD) that would deny Medicare coverage for seat elevation systems on Group 2 non-complex power wheelchairs, specifically HCPCS codes K0830 and K0831. The public comment period closed April 4. A final determination has not yet been issued. The proposal affects thousands of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on seat elevation for transfers, pressure relief, reaching objects at counter height, and eye-level social interaction. It does not affect Group 2 complex wheelchairs or Group 3 wheelchairs, which remain covered. CMS cited "very low certainty evidence" that seat elevation leads to statistically significant improvements in transfers, pain reduction, activities of daily living, or fall prevention. Advocacy organizations including the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD), Lakeshore Foundation, and the ITEM Coalition filed opposition letters on April 3, arguing that the clinical literature hasn't caught up to what families and clinicians see every day. Here's what the proposed restriction covers, who it affects, why advocates say it's wrong, and what families who currently rely on seat elevation for daily function should do now. What CMS Proposed. The proposed LCD would deny Medicare coverage for seat elevation systems on Group 2 non-complex power wheelchairs. These systems are also called power seat elevation or elevating leg rests. Group 2 wheelchairs are standard power wheelchairs prescribed for individuals who can't operate a manual chair but don't require the advanced customization of a complex rehab chair. The two HCPCS codes...

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Special Needs
Articles

Assistive Technology That Helps: Tools for Daily Living Independence

Special Needs App of the Day: Tap to Talk

Special Needs App of the Day: urTalker Lite

CMS Is Proposing to End Medicare Coverage for Wheelchair Seat Elevation Systems. Here's What Families Can Do Now.

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Assistive Technology That Helps: Tools for Daily Living Independence

Special Needs App of the Day: Tap to Talk

Special Needs App of the Day: urTalker Lite

CMS Is Proposing to End Medicare Coverage for Wheelchair Seat Elevation Systems. Here's What Families Can Do Now.

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles