Grabbers/Reachers

A lightweight, simple-to-use tool that enables individuals with limited mobility or short-term injuries to reach items that are too high, too low, or too far away.

AT Category: Access
- Environmental
- Physical

Low - Mid Tech

Considerations

Take the following considerations into account when selecting and implementing AT to ensure that the chosen tools are well-suited to the student’s needs, align with their goals, and seamlessly integrate into their educational journey. By embracing a collaborative approach and considering the specific skills, tasks, and implementation context, educators can provide students with the necessary support to thrive academically and functionally, promoting inclusivity and fostering their overall success.

Make Learning Accessible Find potential contacts within your LEA and at your ESC for support.

Need Support

Find potential contacts within your LEA and at your ESC for support.

Occupational Therapist (OT): An OT may be a member of the multidisciplinary team that evaluates or reevaluates students suspected of having a disability, including dysgraphia, and participates as an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee member in writing the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), drafting annual goals, and recommending assistive technology services and/or the related services of occupational therapy. An OT may provide services that are academic and/or functional in nature. Examples are graphomotor skills needed for handwriting; fine motor skills which include small, finely coordinated hand movements; visual perceptual skills which include the ability to understand and interpret what is seen; visual motor skills which include the ability to coordinate visual and motor skills; and/or self-care skills which include feeding, dressing, hygiene, and toileting skills for increasing independence in necessary life skills. The OT may be a member of the Local Education Agency (LEA) assistive technology (AT) team.
Physical Therapist (PT): A PT may be a member of the multidisciplinary team that evaluates or reevaluates students suspected of having a disability and participates as an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee member in writing the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), drafting annual goals, and recommending assistive technology services and/or the related service of physical therapy. A PT may provide services that are academic and/or functional in nature depending on the age or grade-level of the student's curriculum. Physical therapy in schools primarily addresses gross motor skills of students, and may include exercises designed to develop strength and endurance, range of motion, and flexibility. The PT may be a member of the LEA assistive technology (AT) team.
Recreational Therapist (RT): An RT is a healthcare professional who utilizes recreational activities, leisure pursuits, and therapeutic interventions to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with disabilities, injuries, illnesses, or other health conditions. RTs in Texas adhere to state guidelines, which may include licensure requirements, scope of practice regulations, and ethical standards, ensuring the delivery of effective and ethical care to their students.

Skills and Tasks What skills or tasks will the student utilize this tool for? What areas, functional or academic, does this tool support?

Pick up items and/or reach items

Implementation Context In what activities, classes, or environments will the student utilize this tool?

A grabber or reacher can be incredibly helpful for students with mobility or reaching limitations. Here's how it could be used as assistive technology:

Retrieving items: A student with limited mobility can use the grabber to reach and retrieve items from shelves, cabinets, or the floor without needing to physically move or stretch.
Accessing learning materials: If classroom materials are stored in high or hard-to-reach places, a grabber allows the student to independently access textbooks, notebooks, or other learning resources.
Participating in classroom activities: During activities such as science experiments or art projects where reaching or handling materials is necessary, the grabber enables the student to participate fully without relying on constant assistance.
Assisting with mobility: In instances where a student may have difficulty bending or reaching due to injury or physical disability, a grabber can aid in picking up dropped items or adjusting personal belongings.
Promoting independence: By providing a means for students to accomplish tasks on their own, a grabber fosters independence and self-reliance, empowering them to navigate their learning environment more autonomously.
Encouraging inclusion: Having access to assistive technology like a grabber ensures that students with mobility challenges can fully participate in classroom activities alongside their peers, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the learning environment.