The ability to zip a jacket, prepare a meal, or partake in a hobby like gardening might seem small, but for many older adults and people living with disabilities, it’s the difference between dependence and freedom. Assistive technology (AT) is designed to be that difference maker. 

From low-tech tools like 3D-printed zipper pulls to high-tech innovations like smart home devices and virtual reality, assistive technology empowers Granite Staters to do things that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.  

It encompasses a wide range of tools and devices designed to promote independence for people of all ages and abilities: 

  • Low-tech: Items that don’t need electricity like jar openers, card holders, adapted knives. 
  • Mid-tech: Battery-powered devices like talking thermometers or vibrating alarms. 
  • High-tech: Apps, home automation, and virtual reality platforms. 

 

A Statewide Resource 

ATinNH, based at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability and part of the College of Health and Human Services, is a statewide program designed to increase access to assistive technology. Program Director Sara Valli is focused on expanding awareness of it and helping more people both access and learn to use it effectively. She emphasizes that while assistive technology can be life-changing, it remains underutilized simply because many people don’t yet know about available resources. 

ATinNH provides: 

  • A lending library of tools that can be borrowed for 45 days 
  • Demonstrations and training for individuals, caregivers, and professionals 
  • Technical assistance to help match people with the right devices 
  • Reutilization and purchasing support, including connections to makerspaces and discount vendors 

 

Who Does ATinNH Support? 

While often associated with younger users or people with complex disabilities, AT can be equally valuable for older adults facing common challenges such as arthritis, vision loss, or recovering from stroke. “Aging often creates new needs,” Valli says.  

ATinNH also supports caregivers, educators, therapists, and service providers. Equipment from the lending library can be shipped or picked up, and the online catalog makes it easy to explore what’s available. 

 

Finding What Works with the Lending Library 

To help people determine which adaptation is best for them, the Lending Library offers kits that group similar tools together, such as kitchen tools, gardening tools, or art supplies so that they can try multiple items at once. 

The goal is to give people a chance to try tools and avoid wasting money on things that don’t meet their needs. “We don’t want people spending $45 on a knife that doesn’t help them,” explains Valli. “We want them to try it first, then make an informed choice.” 

While ATinNH is not able to provide direct financial assistance, it does collaborate with local makerspaces to offer free 3D-printed tools such as toothpaste guides and pill bottle openers. They also share resources for purchasing refurbished or discounted equipment, and partner with organizations like Northeast Passage, which provides adaptive recreational gear rentals, such as beach wheelchairs and accessible bikes. 

 

Not Everything Needs to Be High Tech 

While new technology continues to open doors, Valli says some of the most meaningful impacts come from the simplest tools. 

“Sometimes people think about assistive technology and they think it’s all got to be high tech,” she says. “But often the more important pieces are the low-tech things.” 

For people living in rural areas or alone, a dressing aid or a modified kitchen tool can help them maintain routines without assistance. 

“If you’ve used up all your energy just getting dressed or making breakfast, it can lead to isolation,” Valli says. “If we can provide a simple tool that helps open a can or brush your teeth without frustration, that makes a difference.” 

 

Exploring New Technologies to Support Connection and Well-Being 

On the other side of the spectrum, ATinNH is also exploring how high-tech tools like virtual reality (VR) can support mental health for older adults. 

“Using VR with the aging population to help combat social isolation and depression, that can be a tool that changes things a lot,” Valli says. 

For example, someone who used to enjoy gardening but now lives in a nursing facility could use a VR headset to immerse themselves in a garden setting. There are also VR experiences for fishing, hiking, and other hobbies that might no longer be accessible in real life. 

Additionally, ATinNH has iPads with a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Apps available for related services  providers, educators and families to borrow in order to try out different options and to complete assessments with options that a school district may not have access to. Adults with degenerative speech disorders may also want to borrow an iPad with different options to support communication with family. 

 

A Practical Solution to a Growing Challenge 

As New Hampshire ages, assistive technology can support not only independence, but also energy, confidence, and quality of life. Thanks to ATinNH, more New Hampshire residents are finding tools that help them stay active, connected, and in control of their daily lives.