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Seating, Positioning, and Mobility Assistive Technology: Types and Uses

By Annabel Gabriel


Introduction:


Seating, positioning, and mobility assistive technology (AT) are essential for promoting independence and inclusivity for individuals with physical disabilities. There are many devices that target different abilities. Seating, positioning, and mobility AT is essential for all individuals with physical disabilities. They ensure proper mobility and support throughout all daily tasks, improving an individual’s quality of life.



What is Seating, Positioning, and Mobility Assistive Technology?


Mobility devices aid movement and independent actions in individuals who are physically disabled. This can be a permanent disability such as cerebral palsy or something more temporary such as a broken leg. Regardless, mobility is heavily restricted by physical disabilities causing daily actions to be limited. Mobility devices include: canes, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, prosthetics and power chairs [1]. 


Positioning devices are designed to stabilize an individual and minimize pressure points. These devices include: pillows and wedges during sleep, body belts, back supports, and harnesses. Such devices are designed to maintain proper posture and alignment without pain during sleep or sitting [2]. 


Seating devices can also be mobility and positioning devices. Devices such as wheelchairs aid in mobility, but also require specialized seating and positioning devices to maintain proper comfort and function. Included under seating is also adjustable tables and trays that can mount to a wheelchair or bedside. Such tools can enable the individual's ability to engage in activities [3].  



Who needs it? 


Seating, positioning, and mobility AT is important for individuals with physical disabilities. This includes those who are unable to achieve or maintain a certain position or those who are unable to move without assistance. This corresponds to their ability to participate in daily activities promoting independence, improving comfort, and enhancing mobility [1].



Mobility


Mobility aids are aimed at individuals with mobility impairments allowing them to move independently. 

Types of mobility aids include:

  • Wheelchairs: A manually operated or power-driven device used for both indoor and outdoor locomotion. There are many different types for specialized purposes–sports, all-terrain, folding, reclining, tilt-in-space, and many more [4].

  • Mobility Scooters: A power-driven device used for both indoor and outdoor locomotion aimed at seniors and adults with disabilities [5].

  • Walking Frames: A mechanical driven device designed to provide support and stability for individuals when walking. The device has four legs rather than the one a cane has, providing more stability when walking [6].

  • Canes: A mechanical driven device designed to provide support and stability for individuals when walking [7].


Home modifications can be installed to help individuals move about their own homes. This can benefit an individual's daily performance and independence. It is important to note that medicare never covers home modifications; however, they can improve the quality of life of the caregiver and individual [8]. 


Some common home modifications include:

  • Ramps: This is a slope or incline in place of stairs that connects two levels. This is often used for individuals with wheelchairs.

  • Stairlifts: This is a device that is able to transfer an individual from one level to another. It is typically installed using a rail along the staircase.

  • Hoists: This is a tool used to provide support when transferring a patient. This takes the load off the caregiver avoiding injury or fatigue.

  • Bathroom Grab Rails: This is a tool that provides stability when using the bathroom or taking a shower.

  • Widened Doors: This improves wheelchair access through doors [8][9].


Personal care aids and daily living aids provide assistance to the individual or caregiver during bathing, toileting, dressing, and eating. Having an aid during these activities allows the individual to perform their tasks with dignity and independence. 


Personal care aids include:

  • Shower Chairs: This is a padded adjustable seat with a backrest and armrest.

  • Toilet Frames: These provide stability and handles surrounding the toilet aiding transfers from wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

  • Adult Changing Tables: These are designed to make the caregiver’s job easier when changing [10].



Daily living aids include:

  • Grooming Tools: This includes adaptive razors and hairbrushes that have longer handles and larger grips for easier use.

  • Eating Utensils: Adaptive utensils such as forks and spoons have different grips or angled ends to facilitate eating.

  • Dressing Aids: These are devices that aid tasks of fine motor control when dressing. There are specialized tools for buttons, zippers, socks, shoes, bras and more.

  • Reaching Aids: Grabbers and reachers are long handled tools with a grasp at the end to extend the range of motion for individuals with limited range [10].



Positioning

Proper positioning requires specific alignment of a limb or the entire body. This can involve patient handling or transportation. Often in daily practice this responsibility falls to the caregiver or parent. Positioning can require immense physical strength and can result in injury through patient handling. Positioning can either be achieved through the patient’s movement of themselves or through the assistance of others. Offloading devices are typically cushions to provide comfort and release from pressure points. They prevent pressure injuries whilst assisting posture support. Aside from offloading devices there are alignment devices [11].


Postural and limb alignment devices include:

  • Towels: These are easy to obtain and maintain and can be used to reduce the load on a limb.

  • Pillows: These provide support, comfort, and elevation to body parts including the head. This is able to reduce pain during coughing and breathing.

  • Wedges: These position the body to provide support to help reduce pressure and reduce excess movement.

  • Trochanter Roll: This is a cylindrical cushion used to prevent rotation when the patient is in the supine position.

  • Hand Rolls: These are used to position the hand into either a flexed or extended position.

  • Splints: This is an inflexible support used to immobilize an injured part of the body to maintain alignment during healing [11].


There are bed mobility and sleep positioning devices. These are used to keep an individual safe when sleeping and getting out of bed. These devices include:

  • Slide Sheets: This is a piece of cloth used under the patient used during repositioning to reduce friction between the individual and the bed.

  • Side Rails: These are bars on the side of the bed aimed to prevent rolling and to aid bed mobility.

  • Trapeze: This is positioned above the patient’s bed to allow them to reposition themselves by grasping the fabric.

  • Sleep Wedges: These function as regular wedges but are designed to position the patient during sleep [11].



Why is its use important?


Seating, positioning, and mobility AT are essential for providing dignity, autonomy, and independence in people with limited mobility. It can eliminate the need for a caregiver during certain daily activities. This promotes independence, developing problem solving skills and maturity. Additionally proper positioning can decrease fatigue over time allowing individuals to save energy. This allows them to participate in daily activities for extended periods. Devices for mobility also allow individuals to participate in activities by transporting them. Someone with limited mobility may not be able to leave their bed regularly without assistance [1][12]. 


Having access to essential technology can enhance quality of life by allowing participation in daily activities. It provides vital tools in aiding independent movement and improved communication. These technologies decrease loneliness by making it easier to engage in social activities promoting a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and autonomy [1][12].



Role of Professionals


Occupational therapists (OTs) evaluate an individual’s abilities and recommend proper assistive devices tailored to the user’s needs. OTs work with engineers to customize devices for users. They make assessments of an individual, recommend interventions, and make evaluations for attaining the desired physical goals. OTs are essential for making sure that people receive the proper technology for their needs [13][14].



Conclusion:


Seating, positioning, and mobility AT provides a means to unify all people with and without disabilities. It allows individuals to participate in activities for an extended period of time and provides a means of transport. This limits the necessity for caregivers and promotes independence and autonomy. By encouraging autonomy and community, these individuals are able to attain an increased quality of life. 



References:


[1] “Seating, Positioning & Mobility Assistive Technology (AT) - the What, When, Who, and Why.” Accessed: Jan. 25, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://at3center.net/wp-content/uploads/at-awareness-resources/seating-positioning-mobility-assistive-at.pdf

‌[2] “Assistive Technology for Positioning,” Physiopedia. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Assistive_Technology_for_Positioning

‌[3] “Seating and Wheelchair Prescription | Custom Mobility Solutions | Belong Health,” BELONG HEALTH, 2025. https://www.belonghealth.com.au/seating-wheelchair-prescription-custom-mobility-solutions.html#/ (accessed Jan. 25, 2026).

‌[4] “What is the definition of a wheelchair under the ADA? | ADA National Network,” adata.org. https://adata.org/faq/what-definition-wheelchair-under-ada

‌[5] 1800 WheelChair, “Mobility Scooters Explained: Perfect for Seniors and Disabled Adults - Wheelchair & Mobility Scooters Guide,” Wheelchair & Mobility Scooters Guide, Jun. 10, 2025. https://www.1800wheelchair.com/news/mobility-scooters-explained-perfect-for-seniors-and-disabled-adults/ (accessed Jan. 25, 2026).

‌[6] “What Is a Walking Frame and Who Needs One?,” Biology Insights, Nov. 28, 2025. https://biologyinsights.com/what-is-a-walking-frame-and-who-needs-one/ (accessed Jan. 25, 2026).

‌[7] “Is Using a Cane Legally Considered a Disability?,” LegalClarity, Aug. 20, 2025. https://legalclarity.org/is-using-a-cane-legally-considered-a-disability/ (accessed Jan. 25, 2026).

‌[9] P. Mobility, “Top 10 Must-Have Assistive Technology for Independent Living in Australia,” Para Mobility, May 26, 2024. https://paramobility.com.au/top-10-must-have-assistive-technology-for-independent-living-in-australia/

[10] “What Personal Care Equipment Is Needed At Home?,” Pedistat.com, 2025. https://www.pedistat.com/blog/what-personal-care-equipment-is-needed-at-home (accessed Jan. 25, 2026).

‌[11] “Assistive Technology for Positioning,” Physiopedia. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Assistive_Technology_for_Positioning

‌[12] “Seating, Positioning & Mobility – Explore AT from AT3 Center.” https://exploreat.net/at-discovery/seating-positioning-mobility/

‌[13] Cleveland Clinic, “What Is the Main Role of Occupational Therapy?,” Cleveland Clinic, Feb. 27, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/occupational-therapy

‌[14] MGH Institute of Health Professions, “How Innovative Technologies are Shaping the Field of Occupational Therapy,” MGH IHP, Feb. 27, 2025. https://www.mghihp.edu/news-and-more/opinions/occupational-therapy-observations/how-innovative-technologies-are-shaping-field-occupational-therapy

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