Activities of daily living

The fundamental self-care tasks that a person performs routinely each day, including feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility. Originally proposed by Sidney Katz in the 1950s, ADLs are used in healthcare and occupational therapy as a measure of functional status and independence. A related concept, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), covers more complex tasks such as cooking, managing finances, and using transportation. In accessibility and assistive technology design, ADL assessment is critical for understanding the specific points where a person's abilities and their environment or tools do not align, and for identifying where accommodations, adaptive equipment, or design changes can restore independence.