Standing Equipment

If you are unable to walk, it is still important to maintain activities like supported standing for as long as possible. Standing is good for many things including:

• posture and range of motion
• preventing contractures
• breathing
• blood circulation
• bladder and bowels
• bones and joints.

Your physio or OT will provide equipment to support your standing and positioning. This may include a standing frame. They will tell you how often, when and where you should use any equipment.

Seating

The right seating is really important for your comfort and posture when at home, at work, studying or out and about.

Options for people who can stand and walk

• Riser Recliner Chairs 

If you need to sit in a chair for any length of time, a riser recliner chair can be useful. This enables you to change position by reclining the back and / or lifting your legs.

To help you get up and out of the chair, usually the seat tips forward as well as rising. This can be unsafe for people with muscle weakness in their legs. You may need to consider a riser recliner which can be set to rise straight up without tipping. Ideally, any chair you are thinking about should be trialed before it is bought to  make sure it is both comfortable and safe to use.

Living made easy > – shows the range of different models – tick the boxes on the left hand side that apply to you. Your OT can advise on what features are right for you.

Perching Stools 

These are useful in the kitchen or bathroom. You can use them for a short time to rest while carrying out personal care or household tasks. The seat is angled forwards. The overall height of the stool can be adjusted as needed, for example to reach a sink or worktop.

Living Made Easy > – gives different options and ideas to discuss with your OT / physio. 

If you are a wheelchair user.

If you are a full-time wheelchair user, you need:

• a firm base cushion which will encourage a level pelvis
• a  firm back support which will encourage an erect posture
• arm rests at the correct height
• foot rests at the correct level so there is a 90 degree angle at your hips, knees and feet.

If the seating in your chair is no longer comfortable or supportive, contact your physio or OT about a re-assessment. If you do not have a physio or OT, ask your neuromuscular consultant or GP for a referral. You may also be referred to NHS Wheelchair Services for a review.  See Tab 3 below.

If you are not a full-time wheelchair user, it is still important that you get expert advice about any seating needs you have at home and work. This includes making sure that any wheelchair you use part-time is suitable for you. See the Mobility page >.

If you are not being seen regularly by an OT or physio or neuromuscular consultant, ask your GP for a referral to one to assess your needs at home. If your seating at work is causing you discomfort or affecting your posture, talk to the manager responsible for your health and safety at work. If you have not already had an assessment you may be eligible to ask for one. See Tab 3 on our page Study, Work & Volunteering >.

Funding

If your OT assesses that you need specialist seating for home use they should be able to supply some free via the NHS or the Local Authority.

If you fulfill the eligibility criteria, seating needs for work may be funded. See Tab 3 on our page Study, Work & Volunteering >.

If you want to apply for help to buy additional or specialist seating See Tab 10 Funding for Equipment below.

This section looks at a variety of options, not all of which will be right for you. It will hopefully give you some ideas about what is available to assist with your mobility.

Read More >

The health authority is responsible for providing equipment for medical needs. This includes wheelchairs. How WS are organised and what they will fund varies from region to region. Many have a waiting list.

Read more >

If Wheelchair Services cannot provide the powerchair you need, how do you go about selecting the right one for you? What help can you get with funding?

Read more >

Some equipment and adaptations may help you with your daily care.

Washing and using the toilet

An occupational therapist (OT) is the best person to talk to.  They can sort out equipment to make this personal care as easy and stress-free as possible. If you do not have an OT, contact your GP or neuromuscular consultant and ask for a referral. Or you can self-refer to your local authority Occupational Therapy service for an assessment of your equipment needs at home.

There is a wide variety of equipment and new products coming onto the market all the time. These include:

• Using the bath: bath chairs, lifts, cushions, inserts and portable baths
• Showering: multi-function shower,  toileting or commode chairs, mobile and wall-mounted shower cradles, benches and shower stools
• Using the loo: toilet seats, cushions, frames and rails, urine deflectors, travel urinals, wash and dry facilities.

Living Made Easy>  – choose the top tab: Health and Personal Care and then Bathing & Toileting for ideas to discuss with your  OT / physio.

​​​​​Your OT should be able to advise what would work best for you. They should be able to provide most items of equipment and / or tell you how to get assistance to pay for them. See Tab  10. Funding for Equipment  below.

Managing days out

Days out and travelling away from home can bring extra challenges.

Changing Places toilets > provide a height adjustable changing bench with a hoist and plenty of space. Visit their website for more information and a map > of where Changing Places can be found. 

The National Key Scheme > for accessible toilets that can be found in shopping centres, cafes, department stores and in bus and train stations around the country. To unlock the toilets, you’ll need to buy a RADAR key >.

Clothing

You may find that it helpful to have clothing that fits easily over your head, legs and arms. You may find it hard to get comfortable footwear. If you are a wheelchair user, you may want something that fits over both you and your wheelchair when you are going out.

You may need a specialist bed and / or mattress to keep you comfortable and safe at night. An example is an electric profiling bed that is divided into sections. This allows areas of the bed to be positioned at different heights and angles, depending on what is needed for posture and comfort.

Some people use a profiling bed which can be programmed to offer ‘side tilt’ during the night. This may mean that they do not need a carer to turn them. There are also devices which can be fitted to standard profiling beds to assist carers to turn someone safely.

Mattresses need to be compatible with the bed. Different ones suit different preferences and needs. Some people use memory foam mattresses. Others are assessed as needing electric pressure-relieving mattresses. These give some change of movement and pressure areas throughout the night.

Some people also find it helpful to have a sleep system which uses wedges and rolls to support the body. Your OT (occupational therapist) can advise you what is available and what may best suit your needs. If you do not have an OT, you can ask your GP to make a referral.

Living Made Easy / Profiling Beds > are specialist ones you might discuss with your OT – you need to tick the boxes on the left hand side of the website page for what is appropriate for you.

Some people find it useful to buy a portable electric pressure relieving mattress to take on holiday or for when they stay away from home. These cannot be funded via the NHS or Local Authority.

If you need to be moved or turned at night to keep comfortable,  satin
or cotton ‘slide’ sheets on top of the mattress can make it easier for whoever is helping you. Alternatively, there are products such as Wendylett sheets and other devices which can be attached to a hoist. These can assist with turning you safely and comfortably.

Funding For Single & Double Profiling Beds

Generally, if you have a health or medical need, there should be no issue with the NHS supplying a suitable single profiling bed. This is via a district nurse.

If you need a double bed it may not be so straightforward. Ask your district nurse if this could be funded. Make sure to get supporting letters or information from your OT, physio or social worker.

If you get turned down, talk with your district nurse about the reasons. You may want to then work with them to apply for funding.

The reasons for being refused may be because positioning of a double profiling bed will compromise moving you safely – for you and / or your PA (Personal Assistant). It is hard to argue with that one.

If safety will not be compromised, some options you might propose are:

• Seeing if a ‘twin’ single can be attached to the single that will be funded. This may effectively make a double. You could then propose that the NHS supplies the single and you fund the twin (see below for help with this)
• If a twin is not possible, suggest that the NHS part funds to the value of a single bed that they would supply. Then, with the support of your OT or physio or district nurse, look at suitable options. Ask them for a supporting letter to confirm that the bed you have chosen will work for you and is safe for both you and any PA.

For more suggestions see: Tab 9 Funding for Equipment below.

Beds are very personal. Ideally try before you buy. If the supplier will not allow this, make sure that it can be returned if it is ‘not suitable’. Establish what reasons they consider ‘not suitable’ and that you agree are reasonable.

If transferring has become difficult or unsafe you may be thinking about getting a hoist. Some adults have said that they resisted using one for as long as possible.  Their reasons were about wanting to maintain their independence and because they saw it as extra equipment and extra hassle. However, if you have been assessed as needing to use a hoist when transferring, it will be for your safety and the safety of your partner or personal assistant(s).

Read more >

There is a huge range:

• Computer software and hardware, such as voice recognition programmes and screen readers.
• Adaptive switches for computer gaming
• Communication aids, for example, an ‘eye-tracking’ device to operate a computer (see below).
• Environmental control systems

In this video, Julian Fiorentini talks with Emma Vogelmann about getting his home set up and other useful tips:

Julian has also written about Useful Home Tech > and says:

"Apart from a wheelchair, probably the thing I use the most around my house is my network of Intelligent Personal Assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home devices."

Communication aids

Eye gaze

This is a way of accessing your computer or communication aid using a mouse. The system follows your eyes to see where you are looking on the screen. You can then select the item you are looking at by ‘dwelling’ or staring at the screen for a length of time, blinking or clicking with a switch.

Eye gaze systems work by having lights and cameras that are constantly sending and receiving information. The camera picks up light reflections from your pupils and translates the movement of your eyes into mouse cursor movements. They are ideal systems for anyone who has limited hand and arm movement and / or communication difficulties that make it difficult to operate a computer otherwise.

You may want to consider an assessment by a specialist in Assistive Technology. If an item cannot be funded by the health or local authority but your OT or other specialist can confirm it is suitable and beneficial for you, you may be able to get help with funding.

Environmental control systems (ECS) 

These can be built into smartphones, laptops and wheelchair control pads. They can include control of:

• lights
• heating
• electric profiling beds (if the existing controls are difficult to use)
• computers
• door openers
• telephones
• television
• radio.

Often an ECS can be controlled by only the smallest movement. It can also be set up for you to call for help.

Your Local Authority and community OT can advise you. They will usually involve an Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) Service provider with in-depth knowledge of latest developments. Between them they will advise what funding might be available and how to apply. An ECS may be included in an application for a Disabled Facilities Grant. See Tab 8 Disabled Facilities Grant at Adults – Home >

Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Adaptations Manual > looks at Environmental Controls in more depth

These providers offer a wide range of products and services:

• Abilia
• ACE Centre
• Communication Matters
• Contact Charity’s shop Fledglings Tech & Gaming – AAC Devices / Switches for all ages
• Eyegaze Systems (LC Technologies)
• Inclusive Technology
• Sensory Guru
• Smartbox Assistive Technology
• Tobii Dynavox

Specialist computers and gaming equipment

• AbilityNet – advice and training on computer technology for disabled people
• Everyone Can – helps disabled people to make the best use of information and communication technology by providing information and support on all aspects of disability computing
• Special Effect – adapted gaming controls

Funding

Many helpful day-to-day items are covered in the other equipment sections. Many other items and accessories can also make a difference at home and work. Some of these are small but impactful. For example:

• Automatic page turners, book holders and adapted pencil grips
• Ramps and grab rails
• Specialised handles and grips to help with eating and reaching

Talk to your OT (occupational therapist) or physio about what help you need. They may well come up with a solution. If you have not got an OT or physio, ask your GP to make a referral for you.  Your OT or physio can help you find out if the NHS or Local Authority (LA) can fund what you need.

LA budgets are limited. They may not cover every item that your OT suggests could be useful. There can be delays. Also, new products are coming on to the market all the time. If you do want to see what the range is, and potentially buy something, you may find it helpful to visit one of the: Equipment Exhibitions, Sport and Other Events >  If possible, try before you buy.

If an item cannot be funded by the NHS or Local Authority but your OT or other professional agrees it would be a good idea, you may be able to get help with funding. See Tab 10. Funding for Equipment section below. 

Check Health Or Local Authority Funding

Buying used disability equipment

If the NHS or Social Services cannott provide you with an item, this can be a good way to save money and get the products you need for daily living.

Scope gives a summary > of things to think about and where to look.

Selling used disability equipment

If you have disability equipment that you no longer need, you may be able to sell it.

Scope gives a summary > of suggestions for how to go about it.

Donating and recycling used disability equipment

There are several charities that accept donations of used disability equipment.
Scope gives a number of suggestions >.

If you are keen to try to pass on your equipment to other people affected by SMA, it might be worth checking if this is possible through one of the SMA online communities >.

Equipz > – Disabled Living’s services which relate to the provision of information and advice about equipment and services.

Naidex > – Europe’s most established event for supporting independent living, showcasing wide-ranging solutions to improve mobility and accessibility, the latest innovations and tech. It explores the future of digital and physical accessibility. The event is for anyone who is living with a health condition or impairment, as well as anyone caring for or supplying equipment and services to the community. Their event features suppliers, seminars and panels, and a host of interactive features.

Kidz to Adultz exhibitions > – Organised by Disabled Living, these are five of the largest, free UK exhibitions dedicated to children and young adults aged up to 25 years with disabilities and additional needs, their parents, carers and professionals who work with them.