What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology can have numerous definitions, depending upon the population, the desired outcomes, the type of technology used, and the experience and orientation of the consumers and professionals involved.
  • Assistive Technology (AT) is "any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially of the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."
    (Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT (IDEA) 20, USC, Chapter 33, Section 1401 (25) US)

  • Any item, piece of equipment or system that helps bypass, work around or compensate for learning difficulties.

  • A definition of assistive technology may be a system of no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech tools and strategies that match a person's needs, abilities, and tasks.

  • A tool to assist in the accomplishment of tasks that would be difficult or impossible to complete.

These definitions are flexible and open many possibilities for what assistive technology can be. A definition does not imply that assistive technology must include computers, or that it must be expensive, or that it can only be prescribed. The "definition" of assistive technology is only restricted by our own creativity and imagination.

Today there are many technologies available that can assist and be used by an individual to cope with a learning disability (LD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other cognitive challenges. Effective use of technology requires an understanding of the nature of the disability and the particular challenges and barriers. It is important to recognize the process of ongoing evaluation and assessment. Technology will only assist an individual if the tool matches the individual's need.

The potential application of assistive technology can be greatly enhanced through a stronger foundation of knowledge and support coupled with creativity and problem-solving strategies and framework implemented through a program and planning process.

"Technology is a tool that serves a set of educational goals, and if we don't think about what we want the technology for first, we end up with technology-driven solutions that have very little impact in the lives of children and in our educational system."
- Linda Roberts, Director of Education Technology, U.S. Department of Education

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