Symptom Management

Whatever it is you picture when you think of assistive technology, the odds are it is only a small portion of what is available. Just as someone with MS can experience any number of a wide range of symptoms, there are assistive technologies to compensate for many symptoms and to serve many purposes. You may imagine these devices are complex, expensive, and need to be specifically ordered. While some of these technologies fit that description, others are right at your fingertips and you may just not know it.

Device settings

Many people do not realize the tools they need to improve the accessibility of their smartphones, tablets, and computers are already on their devices and only need to be enabled. Your devices have visual accessibility settings to adjust the size of the screen display (i.e., text) or to read the text on the screen. 

For physcial access, there are settings to accommodate tremors or poor coordination, reduced range of motion and reach, slower use, and the need to use a hand or finger for the keyboard or touchscreen. Additional physical access settings also include speech recognition, to allow for a hands-free use of the device, and a switch access (a means of assistive technology for those who are not able to utilize the above-mentioned settings). Even gaze tracking will soon be possible using built-in devices. 

There are also cognitive accessibility settings, which simplifies the device's interface and ways to perform certain actions on the device, as well as settings for those, who, in addition to the symptoms MS commonly causes, are experiencing hearing loss and need audio captions to be alerted to certain sounds they cannot hear such as alarms.

A large percentage of people who seek help with device access can be helped using the settings readily available on their devices. Additional assistive technology such as a mobile device mount, a stylus, or an external mouse or keyboard, or specific inexpensive software and apps are all available for a low or no cost. 

Hands free

For those with speech problems caused by their MS, dedicated augmentative and alternative communication devices are available and may be covered, partially or fully, by most insurance policies. These devices have the same accessibility settings available on mobile devices and computers, and if a more expensive device is needed for access to AAC, such as eye or head-tracking systems, switches or a specialty mount, these devices can be covered with the AAC system.

There are also a great number of mobile apps to support communication if you need something quickly, when dealing with sudden decline in speech intelligibility. Some of these are free and could be installed on devices you already have, such as a mobile phone or a tablet.

Smart home technology allows both smart and hands-free access to lights, fans, thermostats, TVs, doors, blinds, security products and home appliances through a mobile app or a voice command to a smart speaker, such as the Amazon Echo, Google Nest, or Apple Home Pod. These smart speakers respond to synthetic speech, allowing AAC users access as well.

Aside from controlling electronic devices in your home, smart speakers can provide reminders, help to locate misplaced items (phones and items with an "item finder" on them,) answer questions, be used for timers and alarms, play audiobooks, music, and so much more. Because smart home technology is mainstream, it is easy to acquire all that one needs to control their own environment. Many of these products are sold in big box and hardware stores and all are available. 

Wheelchair options

For those who use or need power wheelchairs but cannot access a typical joystick, alternate drive systems, including other joystick styles, switch control (most commonly sip or puff switch, or a head array), and even use of gaze, are all options for independent mobility. Many power chairs can also connect to mobile devices and computers, allowing the user to utilize their wheelchair joystick as a mouse (you can use a mouse on a smartphone or tablet too,)  or to use the same switches they drive with to navigate on their devices.

For those who already have power wheelchairs, this is something you can ask your vendor about, and for those who do not, it is a good thing to bring up in an evaluation appointment if you have difficulty using a mouse or one of your mobile devices. For many people with MS, it can be difficult to know when to acquire a wheelchair, as people are still able to walk but sometimes lose their balance or are greatly limited in the distance they can walk or time they can stand because of fatigue or weakness. Some people feel they should not get a wheelchair until they can no longer walk or get up at all. 

Important considerations when questioning whether it is time for a wheelchair include whether difficulty moving around, fatigue, or low endurance causes you to feel limited or unhappy, result in limiting your movement around the house (such as staying in the room where you sleep), or only leaving home for medical appointments; whether you have fallen or caught yourself from falling recently; whether you have needed help from someone else to walk; or whether you need to allow yourself extra time to move around your home or when you leave your home. If any of these things apply to you, do yourself the favor of being evaluated for a wheelchair sooner than later. 

Use AT boots independence and participation in activities where someone may otherwise be limited by weakness, fatigue, pain, or any of their other MS symptoms. These technologies can be used as needed or all the time. You should need not to feel locked in to always use a wheelchair, AAC device or speech recognition. Do what makes sense for you, but please don't limit yourself by rejecting AT that could improve your quality of life.