Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.
- AT can be low-tech: communication boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt.
- AT can be high-tech: special-purpose computers.
- AT can be hardware: prosthetics, mounting systems, and positioning devices.
- AT can be computer hardware: special switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.
- AT can be computer software: screen readers and communication programs.
- AT can be inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.
- AT can be specialized curricular software.
- AT can be much more—electronic devices, wheelchairs, walkers, braces, educational software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze and head trackers, and much more.
Assistive technology helps people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, and many other things. Different disabilities require different assistive technologies.
Assistive Technology Industry Association
The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) is the global leader in assistive technology (AT) education and research and the premier organization for AT manufacturers, sellers and providers.
Here are some examples of Assistive Technology available to you or the citizens you're helping
Read & write
Read and Write is literacy software that makes documents and web content more accessible. Read and Write is utilized with a simple tool bar that allows users to have files read aloud. It also contains a number of study tools, dictionaries, and a speech to text feature.
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Dragon Naturally Speaking is dictation software that allows users to use their voice to write emails, search the web, and create word documents. The software is designed to adapt to individual users and increases in accuracy over time.
These activities have all been tagged with 'assistive technology'
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