Writing and Reading Aids, Easy Grip Pens, Writing and Typing Aids

What are Writing and Reading Aids?

Writing and reading aids comprise a diverse assortment of adaptive and assistive products and equipment that enable children, adults and seniors to more easily read and write. Whether the reading and writing are done on the computer or with books and manual writing devices, there are numerous aids to help users to read and write more easily and effectively.

These aids encompass weighted pens and pencils, weighted universal grips/holders, soft grips, steadying writing devices, ball grips, ring grips, triangular grips, spring-loaded grips, retractable pens and pencils, reading aids, talking pens, talking organizers, typoscopes, typing sticks, typing aids, and high contrast, tactile and/or braille rulers, yardsticks and other measuring and writing guides.

How do Writing and Reading Aids Help Those with Hand Disabilities?

Writing and reading aids are developed to help a diverse range of potential users. Individuals with a weakened grasp or other hand impairments such as missing digits, injury, arthritis, decreased dexterity, limited coordination, neurological disorders, spasticity, tremors, hand fatigue and pain may be able to find exactly the right help they’ve needed to be able to write again, or for the first time. Writing aids subsume a plethora of various grips enabling potential users many choices to fulfill their unique requirements and special needs.

Spherical, or ball grips hold the pen or pencil for the user, requiring only a slight grip on the soft ball to write. This type can usually be used to grip other objects as well, such as a toothbrush, razor, crochet hook, fork and spoon. They can even be utilized to more easily grasp control sticks on motorized wheelchairs. Another popular grip style is the triangular shape that can hold pens and pencils as well as other tools and instruments. A commonly used plastic and metal orthosis that is used as a writing aid is the Wanchik writer, which can be used with thin ballpoint pens or pencils. This device keeps the writing finger in the correct position, and the user only needs to bend it to make minor adjustments, as no thumb pinch is required.

The ring style grip is another good option for those who tend toward hand fatigue and writer’s cramp. Configured with a round opening for the finger to go through, no gripping is required as the finger rests comfortably on the ring. This style helps all kinds of users to write faster and more fluently, and for longer periods of time without getting tired or experiencing muscle cramps. It even helps encourage correct writing postures. Other grip designs include guiding apparatus and bases that help to keep the hand steady, such as the triangular base design of the Steady Write Writing Instrument, and the Writing Bird writing device. These kinds of aids are well suited for those with Parkinson’s disease, tremors, spasticity and uncontrolled movement, as well as those who lack thumb to fingertip pinching ability. Steadying aids generally only necessitate using upper arm strength, as just the slightest downward pressure is required for writing.

Weighted assistive writing aids also help to provide a steadying and stabilizing influence for writers with incoordination, hand weaknesses, spasticity and tremors. Generally inclusive of ergonomically designed grips, weighted writing aids help to prevent slippage when slight pressure is applied in writing. Not only do weighted pens, pencils and grips enhance writing tasks and reduce fatigue, but they also help users to build more hand and finger muscle strength.

For those who require assistance in typing, typing sticks are a great solution. As a kind of pointing device that is strapped to the hand, this typing aid is of immense help to anyone with limited functional hand skills. It can be utilized for use with computer keyboards, typewriters, telephones, calculators and adding machines.

How do Reading and Writing Aids Help Those with Low Vision and Blindness?

While there are numerous products, devices and equipment in our other product categories that can aid blind and low vision users in a variety of ways, here are a few more ideas that specifically help with reading, writing and learning.

As a popular learning tool for mathematics, the Cranmer abacus is specifically designed for blind users. This kind of abacus is often employed to teach blind children in a hands-on way for a more in-depth understanding of numbers and mathematics than a talking calculator could ever accomplish. It is also used by blind adults to perform quick calculations. Other measuring solutions for blind and low vision users include high-contrast, tactile and/or braille rulers and yardsticks.

Typoscopes are popular with low vision users, as they help mask paper to allow the reading of one line of text at a time. This enhances focus and makes reading easier for people with visual impairments. Another low vision reading aid is the transparent yellow sheet that will make black text stand out more boldly than when viewing it on white backgrounds.

Talking products are also often used by blind or low vision users, and while we carry many more audio output products in other “talking” categories, there are a couple listed here to help with reading and communication, as well. The Quicktionary II Translating Pen translates English to Spanish and vice-versa, speaking out full lines of text at the press of a button. The TADI Talking Voice Organizer combines every function a low vision or blind user requires in one device, with voiced feedback in Spanish for every action. This helpful aid includes a talking clock, notepad, calculator, diary, address book, phone dialer and contact storage, along with programmable talking reminders.

Rehabmart is pleased to offer an ever expanding collection of innovative writing and reading aids from leading vendors in the field, including North Coast, Sammons Preston, Maddak, LSS, MaxiAids, Grip Solutions and Nexis Preparedness Systems.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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