“The potential application of assistive technology (AT) is greatly enhanced through a strong foundation of knowledge coupled with creativity and problem-solving strategies.”

There is no simple definition for assistive technology. Assistive technology can be a very complex and multifaceted field. Assistive technology can have numerous definitions, depending upon the population, the desired outcome, the type of technology used, and the experience and orientation of the consumer and professionals involved. Consumers and professionals may include Family, Teachers, Educational Consultants, Educational Assistants, Speech Language Pathologists (SL-P), Occupational Therapists (O.T.), Early Interventionists, Employment Counsellors, Rehabilitation Counsellor, Rehabilitation Technologists, AT Consultants, Disability Specialists, Support Workers and Advocates.

The benefits of assistive technology cross age, disability and health challenges. From young children to seniors, a citizen may be challenged with a Learning Disability (LD), Blindness, Low Vision, Hard of Hearing, Cerebral Palsy (CP), Speech Impairment, Mobility Impairment, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Developmental Disability, Autism, PDD, Brain Injury and a range of other possible physical and or cognitive challenges.

In General, any technology that enables someone to do something they otherwise couldn't, can be termed as "Assistive Technology", facilitating access and achieving previously unreachable goals. Individuals challenged by a disability can benefit from technology in many facets of their personal life: education, vocation/employment, recreation and social. Assistive technology can help individuals increase independence and offer greater freedom, build self confidence and self esteem, improve quality of life, breaks barriers and provide tools for employment and educational opportunities.

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

This definition is generous in its language in that it opens many possibilities for what assistive technology can be. The definition does not imply that assistive technology must include computers, or that it must be expensive, or that it can only be prescribed. This definition permits assistive technology to only be restricted by our own creativity and imagination. Other possible definitions - See LD Conference.

Assistive Technology as applied to persons with disabilities can often be referred to as "adaptive technology”, usually in the context of computer related accessibility. However, computer access can be referred to as "Access Technology". While "access technology" and "adaptive technology" essentially have the same implied meaning, technology functions to provide access to computer systems. Assistive technology, in a broader sense, is a technology that helps someone participate in his or her environment through adaptation and accessibility whether it is computers, environmental access and control ("electronic aid") or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

“An appreciation for assistive technology applications requires an understanding of both disability and technology.”

A challenge often experienced by many entering the world of technology and disability is making sense of the large amount of available information and finding orderliness in the often times conflicting information. Learning the differences between various products, approaches to specific problems, or strategies is dependent upon a foundation of basic knowledge regarding some of the factors that many forms of assistive technology share. Organization of basic information is crucial to interpreting new products and distinguishing products from one another.

“Assistive and adaptive technology represents both process and product.”

An understanding the basic goals of assistive technology, good planning practices, the resources available and the elementary aspects of the technology, the novice with assistive technology can quickly transition to become an effective user or promoter of these concepts and strategies.

What Is A Functional Limitation?

A functional limitation is any physical, mental or sensory condition that prevents a person from caring for him or herself while communicating, working, playing, or simply functioning in an environment where other people can function normally. Limitations can range from a difficulty in interpreting information, to blindness and hearing loss to the inability to move all or part of one's body. Fortunately, functional limitations need not keep any individual, regardless of age or type of disability, from leading a full and productive life. Advanced technology has made it possible for people who are visually impaired and blind to use computers and enjoy TV; for people who are deaf to use telephones and automated telephone services; and for people with physical disabilities to meet the challenges of their environment and become independent and productive.

Appropriate assistive technology applications are intended to decrease the functional limitations of a person with a disability, potential applications can include some of the following categories:

Adaptive Play: This includes the use of commercially available battery operated toys/activities to allow young children and adults to experience control over their environment despite severe physical restrictions, motor control deficits and developmental disabilities.

Switches: Single and potentially multiple switch access methods can allow the person with even the most severe disability to achieve control over many different aspects of their environment, including play, communication, education, environmental control, mobility, and perhaps employment.

Environmental Controls: Devices and technologies (Electronic Aids) designed specifically to allow a person to experience better control of their environment can increase one's independence and ability to perform routine tasks.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): AAC includes any technology application that results in the improvement of a person's communication with individual, in-groups and even by way of telephone. AAC involves maximizing of specific language concepts and strategies to enable the non-verbal person to more actively interact with their environment.

Sensory Disabilities: Many forms of assistive technology can enhance our sensory interactions by modifying the means by which information is received to accommodate our sensory limitation, or by re-routing the information to a form where other senses can be involved.

Alternative Learning Strategies: Somewhat similar to sensory disabilities, alternative learning strategies can be developed for individuals with specific learning deficits. By capitalizing on the strengths of the individual, computer based adaptive learning hardware and software can enhance the overall learning experience.

Adaptive Computer Access: Computers can be adapted through a variety of methods to enable alternative input control or output required by the person with a disability. These adaptations may be in the form of additional hardware, software, or a combination of the two. Most computer operating systems today allow for customization of the computer control process to accommodate nearly any special needs of the individual with a disability.

Bud Rizer, Ed.D. Dir., T.K. Martin Center, Janie Cirlot-New, MS, CCC/SLP Aug. Comm. Specialist, Jill Ethridge, BS, OTR Adap. Computer Specialist

What is Accessibility?

Accessibility means removing barriers that can prevent people with disabilities from participating in life activities, including the use of services, products, and information.

Assistive Technology can assist individuals overcome barriers towards independence and social inclusion. An intervention could compensate for functional limitations, enhance and increase learning, independence, mobility, communication, environmental control and choice.

A wide range of important daily living and leisure activities such as walking, dressing, bathing and meal preparation may become increasingly difficult to manage alone. Many people use assistive technologies to help carry out a wide range of daily activities and may need one or more assistive technology devices or tools to live, learn, work, or play more independently.

Assistive technology includes devices and services that help people in their daily lives, examples:

• Ramps that help people get in and around buildings more easily Wheelchairs
• Toilets and showers that are equipped with safety bars and other devices

• Cars and vans that are modified, making it possible for people with disabilities to drive.
• Computers used without touching the keyboard, for students in schools and people at work.
• Special equipment at work makes it easier for an employee with a disability get the job done.
• Electronic devices that make it possible to talk without your voice.
• Recreation and leisure materials such as battery-operated toys that operate with switches, adapted skis, playing cards and board games in Braille.
• Use of magnifier; "talking books", closed circuit television, Braille note taking computers.

In the broadest sense, assistive technology is any technology, which enables someone to do something they otherwise couldn't. A ladder, for instance, could be considered assistive technology, since it facilitates access to otherwise unreachable spots.

Assistive Technology gives people with disabilities the opportunity to use new technologies to increase their independence and participation in everyday life. Effective assistive technology combines technical experience and knowledge of meaningful activities and environments with the goal of helping people find the best means to use technology. Although technology can indeed solve some of the practical problems the disabled face everyday, elegant engineering doesn't always yield useful tools. A guiding principal is to 'make it simple.' Simplicity is inextricably linked with reliability.