A guide to assistive aids and technology

This assistive aids and technology guide is a resource for a range of people such as carers, staff, service users, managers and commissioners. It has been written to aid the use and development of Assistive Technology (AT) and assistive aids, enabling continual professional development and promoting AT throughout the Health and Social Care sector. Plymouth City Council have produced this guide, using content that was developed by I-Grow Care and Support Ltd through its project funded by Skills for Care.
In today's modern society it is important for social, care and support workers to attain skills and knowledge in AT to identify opportunities where AT can be used as a solution to a care or support need.
You do not have to be a technical expert to use AT, just able to establish where AT can be used effectively and efficiently. Increasing numbers of people who access social services are using AT, which has implications for their carers. Therefore, when the use of AT has been identified it becomes a journey of discovery and learning with the partnership of the carer, support staff, organisation to enable the life of its beneficiary.
Please note that the companies and products mentioned in this guide are given only as examples to indicate what is available on the market; Plymouth City Council does not endorse any company or product.
Many of the websites named in this guide supply multiple types of assistive aids and technology. If you visit any of these websites, you may wish to discover which other products are available as there are too many to be listed in this guide.
If you have any changes, amendments or items that you feel would be useful to be added to this guide, please email JointCommissioningASC@plymouth.gov.uk.