Unfortunately, persistent misconceptions about assistive technology devices and services have caused technology solutions to be seen as a panacea, or to be overlooked or avoided in meeting the needs of people with disabilities. Some of these common misconceptions follow.

Misconception: Assistive technology is a magic cure-all for all of the problems faced by individuals with disabilities

Reality: Assistive technology is neither magic nor a panacea. Although assistive technology is certainly a powerful tool to assist people with disabilities in meeting everyday challenges, alone it will never completely eliminate the added difficulties which come with having a disability in our society. Assistive technology is often used to enhance, complement or expand other services or solutions, and is only one of many options to be considered. For example, an injured worker may be able to return to work if the worksite is modified and the appropriate technology purchased, or it may be possible to instead change job duties to those which require little or no modification. Factors such as the employee's wishes in this matter as well as his/her job skills and cost must then be considered in weighing these options. The solution may very well include a combined approach.

Misconception: All Assistive Technology is "High Tech " and Expensive.

Reality: While some assistive devices are both expensive and sophisticated, some of the most practical and satisfactory technology solutions are inexpensive, simple, "low tech" adaptations and/or devices. Using a spoon with an enlarged handle is often more appropriate and convenient than an expensive electronic feeding system, so costly sophisticated devices are not necessarily a part of every solution. Nor is all so called high technology expensive or complicated. For example, some adapted computer programs are FREE, and to use a computer one needs follow only step by step instructions rather than having to understand how computers work.

Misconception: Only People With Certain Types of Disabilities Find Assistive Technology useful.

Reality: The need for specific types of assistive technology varies widely from one person to the next, but individuals of all ages, varying abilities and needs, and all types of disabilities may be able to benefit from the use of assistive technology. "Individual needs" is the key phrase. Assistive technology is the potential tool. And there are as many possible technology solutions available to meet the real life challenges of real life individuals as there are creative people to devise them.

Misconception: Professionals Are the Best Source of Information or Assistance, or People With Disabilities and Their Families Already Know All There is to Know About Assistive Technology, or One Source Has All The Answers.

Reality: The fast pace of technology innovation, and the growing number of options available, have made it impossible for any one person or group of people to attain or maintain expertise in all aspects of assistive technology devices and service delivery. Therefore, it is important for consumers, family members and all involved professionals to learn more about assistive technology and to share their knowledge and expertise with each other in order to reach the best possible technology solutions. Misconceptions and Realities About Technology MATR 2 It is also worth noting that some assistive technology solutions rely more on the common sense use of both assistive devices and every day items from the hardware store than on highly technical information and expertise. "While service providers are often connected to technology networks and resources, research demonstrates that consumers and their families, interested in overcoming personal barriers, find the most practical solutions... The tools and methods they have developed over the years may not be as 'high tech' as some approaches developed by professionals ... however, these self designed measures may (be) just as effective and productive ... as any others which could be thought up by an entire (army) of Ph.D. rehabilitation technologist types” (Williams, 1990). This illustrates the importance of personal ingenuity in assistive technology service delivery, and the fact that consumers and all involved professionals should put more trust in their common sense instincts.

Misconception: Assistive Technology Product Descriptions Are Always Accurate and Helpful.

Reality: Product descriptions are designed to sell products and are intended for general audiences. As a result they often fail to point out limitations for specific technology users. Users are encouraged to contact manufacturers directly to obtain more specific information.

Misconception: Assessment of Technology Needs Is Done Only Once.

Reality: Determining the needs of each individual with a disability is an ongoing process which requires a follow-up visit right after the person begins using a device, another in a few months, and others periodically as indicated. Follow up ensures that the device or service selected is actually performing as expected. Follow up can also assess people's needs as they change or grow over time. For example, life stages from infancy through retirement have different demands on the individual, and may be accompanied by changes in physical size, maturity, skills, and/or interest. As individuals expand their activities to encompass home, school, work and community, they may have new or different needs in these settings, or demand different approaches requiring for example, several different devices to meet the same need in several places, or a single, flexible, portable approach which may address this need in all locations. Ongoing self assessment as well as reassessment by professionals ensures that changing needs are addressed.

Misconception: Technology Solution is Available it Will be Used.

Reality: The successful use of a device is based on several factors. However, consumer and family involvement in assessment, selection and training for any device is essential if the device is to be fully utilized. Research clearly demonstrates that services and devices are often viewed as limited or useless if they are pushed on users without adequately involving them in the process.

Misconception: Individuals with Disabilities Should Not Obtain an Assistive Technology Device Until They Are Ready For It.

Reality: Using assistive technology is a highly personal decision, and many people prefer the familiar to anything new. However, assistive technology enables people to do things more easily or sometimes even for the first time, and waiting for a person to be ready for a device only delays the potential benefit for that person. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged - and may need encouragement from friends, family, peers and professionals - to take the risk to see if certain devices will help. Lack of funding to pay for items has also caused people to put off technology-related purchases. While there needs to be a plan to pay for the technology, appropriate technology has to be tried and selected first: knowing what the device or service will do and in what ways it will benefit the user is information which potential funding sources will require.

Misconception: People with Disabilities Want the Latest, Most Expensive Assistive Devices.

Reality: People with disabilities are like any other customers or consumers. Most are not interested in keeping up with the Jones’ next door by buying the latest or most expensive piece of assistive technology on the market. Rather they want technology which is easy, reliable, affordable, and will get the job done as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Misconception: Assistive technology is fancy gadgetry and a mere luxury

Reality: For someone with a disability who relies upon assistive technology to perform a critical function or achieve a desired goal in life, assistive technology is very much a life necessity. Just because a device makes a task easier or more convenient to do does not make it a luxury no matter what the cost. Consider how society initially regarded automobiles, telephones, and more recently, computers. Now almost no one in the United States is without these "modem day conveniences".

Adapted from the “Assistive Technology Guidelines for Kentucky Schools.” Kentucky Department of Education, 1997.

Williams, Bob. "The Bottom Line: Making Assistive Technology Work for People on the Job," The Networker, Vol.3 No.2 Spring, 1990, United Cerebral Palsy Associations, Washington, D.C.

Adapted by Joseph Benstein, Consultant. From the "Assistive Technology Guidelines for Kentucky Schools." Kentucky Department of Education, 1997.