The Role of Assistive Technology in Emergencies

By Madison Eckles

Introduction

Assistive technology (AT) refers to any tool or device that helps individuals with any physical or cognitive disabilities to complete tasks that they may otherwise struggle to do on their own, supporting greater independence and improving their overall quality of life [1]. While these tools are important in everyday life, they become even more vital during emergencies. In crisis situations, assistive technology can be essential, and even lifesaving. This is because it helps individuals maintain mobility and basic daily function while preventing any additional health concerns. For emergency planning to be effective, access to and the maintenance of assistive technology must be prioritized so that people who use these tools can remain safe and ensure autonomy during emergencies [2].

Assistive technology includes a wide variety of tools designed to improve physical capabilities. These can range from mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walking sticks to communication devices like screen readers [2]. During an emergency, those who use assistive technology often fall into two categories: those with pre-existing disabilities who may have lost their equipment during a disaster, and those who have sustained new injuries and may require temporary or permanent support through assistive technology [2]. 

Priority Assistive Products for Survival

Immediately after a disaster, “priority” products are essential for maintaining the health and autonomy of individuals that are displaced. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out several essential assistive technology tools that can be quickly selected and distributed during emergency situations [3].

• Walking Aids: This includes elbow crutches, underarm (axilla) crutches, and walkers, that provide stability for individuals with balance issues or lower-limb weakness.

• Wheelchairs: Both transport and active wheelchairs are necessary for evacuating non-ambulaotry individuals to ensure that they can move within shelters.

• Self-Care Aids: Tools such as toilet-shower chairs and pressure relief cushions which are critical to prevent infections and development of pressure sores which can occur when individuals are confined to a single position for a long period of time.

Enhancing Safety through Communication Assistive Technology

Clear communication is essential during emergencies, yet those with sensory or cognitive disabilities often face major barriers when trying to access critical and life saving information. Innovative assistive technologies aim to reduce these barriers by making communication during emergencies more accessible.

• Visual and Auditory Alarms: For those with hearing or visual impairments, shelters should be equipped with audiovisual fire alarms and CO2 detectors that provide warnings for multiple senses [4].

• Smart Wearables: Recent innovations include wearable health monitoring devices that use pulse or sound sensors. These devices can detect changes in heart rates or blood pressure that may indicate distress and will automatically send an alert via text message to caregivers or EMS professionals [5]. This allows for caregivers or EMS to arrive quickly, even if the individual is unable to physically reach or use a phone.

• Evacuation Support Systems: Advanced software is being created to help individuals with visual impairments safely navigate complex workplaces during emergencies. These systems use real-time information to guide users through the safest and most efficient route to the nearest exit [6][7].

The Necessity of Preparedness and Policy

Despite the clear importance of these assistive technologies, these tools are often overlooked in many emergencies, especially in managing these systems. Only about 20% of countries currently include assistive technologies in their national disaster risk reduction policies [8]. This policy gap can lead to disaster responses being extremely exclusionary, where individuals are separated from essential equipment that are needed for them to maintain their independence and daily living function [9]. To address this issue, many humanitarian organizations are working to place assistive technology kits in warehouses around the world before emergencies occur [8]. Having these supplies stored and ready for distribution rapidly allows responders to assist a large population within only days of a crisis. 

Conclusion

Assistive technology plays a fundamental role in promoting safety and protecting human rights during disasters and emergencies. It is important to recognize assistive technology not only as an optional resource, but a key part of preparing for emergencies. Ensuring the tools are accessible allows individuals with disabilities to maintain their independence and autonomy during crises and, most importantly, helps save their lives.

References

[1] Assistive Technology Industry Association. (2025). What is AT? Assistive Technology Industry Association. https://www.atia.org/home/at-resources/what-is-at/

[2] Emergency Assistive Technology (AT) Preparedness At a Glance. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2026, from https://momentum4humanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Emergency-AT-Preparedness.pdf

[3] Assistive technology for medical and surgical needs in emergencies. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2026, from https://www.gate-tap.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AT6-Handbook-EN-WHO-RevC-May24.pdf

[4] U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. (2022, November 18). ADA Requirements - Effective Communication. ADA.gov. https://www.ada.gov/resources/effective-communication/

[5] Lakshmi, B. S., Sree, R. D., Sree, S. J., Kalyani, D., & Vandana, R. (2025). Smart emergency response system for disabled individuals. Advances in Computer Science Research, 3312–3323. doi:10.2991/978-94-6463-858-5_276 

[6] Communication Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/disability-emergency-preparedness/communication-resources/index.html 

[7] Mocanu, A., Sita, I. V., Avram, C., Radu, D., & Aștilean, A. (2025a). Support system integrating assistive technologies for fire emergency evacuation from workplaces of visually impaired people. Applied Sciences, 15(21), 11416. doi:10.3390/app152111416 

[8]Kett, M., Polack, S., & Austin, V. (2025a). Assistive technology in disaster-affected and humanitarian settings. An Introduction to Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction, 251–275. doi:10.4324/9781003353188-13 

[9] McSweeney-Feld, M. H. (2017). Assistive Technology and Older Adults in Disasters: Implications for Emergency Management. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 11(1), 135–139. doi:10.1017/dmp.2016.160