Designed for people with hand tremors, the Liftware Steady has a stabilization technology that keeps the utensil balanced when eating so that the contents of the utensils are held still despite shaking. This assistive device with interchangeable utensil attachments proves to be accessible in accordance with the medical, social, and functional models of disability.
Key Features
The Liftware Steady is a relatively simple and straightforward piece of assistive technology. It can be deemed accessible through its utility, usability, desirability, viability, and compatibility.
Its primary features revolve around the stabilization technology that keeps the Liftware Steady, well, steady. As shown in the photo above, it has a thicker handle that holds the technology to stabilize the handle by sensing the direction the utensil is shaking in and correcting it towards the opposite direction to counteract hand tremors. This is useful for people who have Parkinson’s Disease, which affects movement, balance, and coordination, or those with essential tremor. These tremors can make it difficult for these individuals to eat, as the shaking can cause the food to fall off the utensil. Based on a study done by the actual creators of the Liftware Steady, the assistive utensil actually reduced the amplitude of tremors during holding, lifting, and transferring food by 71 to 76 percent (CADTH, 2015), proving its usefulness as an assistive technology.
The second feature of this tool is its actual form and versatility. Although most people with tremors have difficulties with spoons in particulars, it can still be a challenge to use forks as well. Liftware steady has taken this into account and provided a separate fork attachment that can be easily swapped out at the table when needed. Additionally, it has a thicker handle which makes it easier to grip and hold on to.
These features make the Liftware Steady extremely easy to integrate into one’s life, as it carries essentially the same function as any other utensil, but with some built in hardware that makes it more usable to people with tremors.
Models of Disability
Medical Model
The Liftware Steady’s stabilization technology exemplifies the medical model as it is designed for hand tremors that can be considered a medical condition or impairment that must be managed. The tool directly addresses this through its stabilization technology that actively withstands tremors, making the act of eating much more feasible for those with Parkinson’s disease or essential tremors.
Social Model
People with Parkinson’s have expressed how they can feel embarrassed eating in public or with friends due to the tremors and the challenges it poses with eating. The Liftware Steady combats this with the stabilization technology that keeps the contents on the utensil, and assisting with the eating process. This can significantly alleviate that sense of embarrassment around eating for those with tremors.
However, it is still important to address the aesthetics of this tool. On Reviewed, a review website, an author with Parkinson’s wrote about the Liftware Steady. They mentioned that because the utensil is so bulky and looks vastly different from typical utensils, it can stand out in public settings and cause even more embarrassment or shame due to the attention it brings and how it stands out (Atkins, 2021). Therefore, the social accessibility of this tool will vary from person to person.
Functional Model
Lastly, this assistive tools very accurately illustrates the functional model. Having tremors makes the actual act of eating particularly arduous because the food will often times fall off the utensil before the user can bring it to their mouth. The Liftware Steady overcomes this complication through its internal computer that stabilizes the utensil against trembling, which allows users to use the utensils more effectively when eating.
Reflection
Overall, the Liftware Steady has proven to be an accessible tool in many different areas through various models of disability. It actively works against tremors with its innovative technology and helps many people around the world who have Parkinson’s Disease or essential tremors. The only drawbacks may be it’s bulkiness, which makes it stand out against other utensils, as well as its expensive price at $195 each (and the fork attachment is extra!). So for those who have the budget and absolute need for this tool, it may be worth the investment.
Sources:
Atkins, Douglas C. “Is the Liftware Steady Spoon the Best Eating Solution for People with Parkinson’s?” Reviewed, Reviewed, 8 Dec. 2021, www.reviewed.com/accessibility/content/liftware-spoon-review-good-mild-moderate-tremors.
“Liftware Steady.” Essential Tremor, 6 Sept. 2024, essentialtremor.org/assistive-devices/liftware-steady/.
“Liftware: Self-Stabilizing Eating Utensils for Individuals With …” Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, 2015, www.cda-amc.ca/sites/default/files/pdf/EH0030_liftware_self_stabilizing_eating_utensils_for_individuals_with_hand_tremor-e.pdf.