Toolbox: Assistive Technology for Behavioral Safety and Self-Protection

Individuals with cognitive and/or behavioral disabilities often need help preventing behaviors which challenge their safety living at home. If you or someone you know is caring for someone with this type of disability--such as a child with autism or an adult with Alzheimer's--the Massachusetts AT Act Program (MassMATCH) has created a web page to make you aware of the growing range of assistive technology (AT) products that exists to help.
 
Some of the AT solutions are sophisticated, like GPS or cellular tracking systems, but many are simple and inexpensive, like door knob guards or refrigerator latches. Not every solution can work for every individual or situation, but common problems such as kitchen safety, getting up unassisted and wandering are addressed by a variety of options.

The page organizes behavioral safety device-types by category (bathroom, bed, car, chair and wheelchair, doors and exits, electrical, kitchen, self-protection, telephone access, and wandering) and provides referral resources for further ideas, advice, support, and funding.  Below are a few device examples: 

• Easy-to-install, screw-on, anti-scalding devices turn off the water if the water gets too hot.

• Bed pads and floor mats with wireless remote alarms let caregivers know when a user gets out of bed.

 

• Car seat belt alarms that sound off when the two pieces of the seat belt are  disengaged.  

• Fall prevention alarms which sound off before a person falls or gets up from a chair or wheelchair.

• Door and window alarms, such as units which send signals to a portable receiver when doors are opened.

• Appliance plug lock. Plug any appliance into this keyed lock and it becomes
  unusable.

• Wandering devices, like this tracking bracelet which ties to the national E-9-1-1 emergency system, helping pinpoint the location of a missing person in virtually any environment.

Learn more at this MassMATCH web page for behavioral safety.

Reminder: MassMATCH and the U.S. Department of Education make no endorsement, representation, or warranty expressed or implied for any product, device, or information set forth on this website. Neither MassMATCH nor the U.S. Department of Education has examined, reviewed, or tested any product or device contained on the MassMATCH or AT Program News website.