Daily Living Aids – sometimes referred to as Aids for Activities of Daily Living or “AADLs” – are devices, products, tools and equipment used to support everyday functional activities for kids, young people and adults living with disability.

Daily Living Aids fit into the category of “Assistive Technology”, however they are often low technology, basic and simple-to-use devices and tools that support people living with disability to live independently and get through their day.

There is a wide range and variety of Daily Living Aids that can support people living with disability to:

prepare and eat meals – tools such as textured spoons and flexible cups can provide eating and drinking support for people with eating and swallowing needs

have a bath or a shower – simple tools such as grab rails and fold-up shower seats can ensure people living with disability can maintain their personal hygiene

go to the toilet – adjustable over-toilet seats and grab rails can support your toileting

get dressed – simple equipment such as shoehorns and leg-lifters can make all the difference for people who need mobility and motor skills support

write and verbally communicate – a range of simple tools such as pencil grips can support writing, while AAC and PODD devices can support people with complex communication needs to ‘talk’ to their family and friends

move to and from beds, wheelchairs, and vehicles – transfer equipment can support people with limited mobility to move in and out of bed, chairs, and wheelchairs

control the environment and safety around the home – a range of innovative Assistive Technology devices can control everything around the home from the lighting and air conditioning to opening the front door

manage money and finances – smartwatches are among the innovative devices that can support people living with disability to pay for items and manage their finances

go shopping – mobility tools such as walking sticks and walkers can support people with important daily tasks such as shopping and banking

manage medical appointments and medications – tools that can support people living with disability to safely manage their personal health and wellbeing.

Daily Living Aids can also support people living with disability to access their community for important everyday activities such as going to school, going to work, playing sport, catching public transport, attending medical appointments and therapy sessions, going out to social functions, and enjoying leisure activities and recreation – generally enjoying a fulfilling life.

Daily Living Aids may be used to compensate for particular limitations or impairments a person living with disability may have, making it easier, quicker, safer and more efficient to undertake everyday activities and support their independence. Such devices and products may help to support an individual’s mobility, vision, communication, hearing, sensory skills, learning, and fine and gross motor skills.

Daily Living Aids are often used in conjunction with home modifications and other Assistive Technology. For example, products such as raised toilet seats and extended shower controls can be used in combination with bathroom modifications such as seated shower stall modifications and non-slip floors. You can find out more about home and building modifications.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports access to Daily Living Aids for people living with disability. The Core supports budget in an NDIS Plan includes funding for ‘Daily Activities’ (e.g., assistance with self-care activities during the day or evening). There is also support for capacity building under the NDIS, with ‘Daily Activities’ (e.g., therapy aimed at building capacity to participate) funded through the Capacity Building budget in an NDIS Plan. Find out more about NDIS Plans and support for Daily Living Activities.

NovitaTech is committed to supporting people living with disability to achieve their independent living goals, and the NovitaTech Online Store features a wide range of products, equipment, tools and devices that can support people living with disability to live independently and safely undertake and complete everyday activities.

The professional and highly skilled NovitaTech team works with people living with disability and their families to find the best products and equipment to support independent living.

The NovitaTech Store’s wide range of Daily Living Aid products include:

bath and shower accessories – including fold-up shower seats, grab rails, and adjustable bath boards

bed accessories – including transfer boards, tilting over-bed tables and adjustable back rests

chairs, stools, recliners and cushions – including comfort chairs and cushion swivel seats

communication devices – including Augmentative and Alternate Communication (AAC) and Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) devices and accessories

computer accessories – including head-mounted alternative mouse

stylus devices – including strap stylus, head-mounted stylus, finger stylus, mouth stylus

eating and drinking accessories – including flexi cups, flat textured spoons, foam-handled cutlery

manual and powered wheelchairs – including tilting manual and powered wheelchairs, wheelchair sun and rain shades

strollers, scooters, and mobility equipment – including all-terrain mobility strollers

dressing support – including leg lifters, dressing sticks, sock aids, shoehorns

reaching aids – including adjustable length reachers

toilet aids and equipment – including height-adjustable steel toilet surrounds, over toilet aids, grab rails, bottom wiper aids

walking aids – including adjustable height walkers, walking sticks, elbow crutches, quad-base walking sticks

writing aids – including pencil grips

switches – including touch switches, proximity switches, twitch switches, foot switches, pillow switches, puff switches.