Assistive Technology

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Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.

via ct.gov

This community is used for cataloging and discussing advancements and news in AT.

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Arc’teryx’s new powered pants could make hikers feel 30 pounds lighter (www.theverge.com)

submitted 1 month ago by ctag@lemmy.sdf.org to c/assistive_technology@lemmy.sdf.org

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Their pitch expressly claims the device isn't AT... But it is to help more people access the outdoors, which I think counts to an extent.

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[–] JiveTurkey@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Cool but also their products are already incredibly expensive so I can't imagine what these would cost and also I feel like this kind of detracts from the purpose of hiking.

[–] GBU_28@lemm.ee 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

I don't think they hide the cost.

1.1 their gear is top notch. Expensive, but it lasts in my opinion (and achieves the goal, their winter gear is incredibly performant)

2 subjective, the purpose of hiking is different for many. Simply existing in the outdoors may be enough for someone.

I have a buddy that was in a car wreck and his knee is fucked up. Reconstructive surgery and what not. He's not fully disabled in so much as he can walk and stand, but anything beyond short stairways and he's toast. He can never come hiking because of his knee and a tool like this might help, a small amount. (Which means a net positive of easy trails he can handle)

[–] JiveTurkey@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I agree that this is great for people with injuries, I also don't think they hide the cost and while I agree they do make good products they tend to be on the high end of said good products and this one will undoubtedly be costly.

[–] nickwitha_k@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 1 month ago

I have a buddy that was in a car wreck and his knee is fucked up. Reconstructive surgery and what not. He's not fully disabled in so much as he can walk and stand, but anything beyond short stairways and he's toast. He can never come hiking because of his knee and a tool like this might help, a small amount. (Which means a net positive of easy trails he can handle)

I'm fortunately not quite that bad of but I've been recently feeling the long-term impacts of the motorcycle wreck that I was in 5 years ago, mainly on my ankle. Getting it looked at soon, luckily but, I'm not able to be on my feet too long without weeks of pain after anymore. This tech is directly in line with the sort of ankle brace that I think would be helpful - reducing the effective weight on the ankle joint in a dynamic manner would be very enabling.