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What is Assistive Technology?Assistive Technology is any piece of equipment or device that may be used by a person with a disability to perform specific tasks, improve functional capabilities, and become more independent. It can help redefine what is possible for people with a wide range of cognitive, physical, or sensory disabilities. Technology and technological products significantly influence the way most of us go about the business of living. Technology abounds in our homes and our jobs. Not surprisingly, technology is also changing the lives of people with disabilities. Assistive technology (AT) includes thousands of simple to complex devices and products that enable people with disabilities to be more productive and independent in major life activities such as communication, self-care, education, employment, mobility, and recreation. Assistive technology may be used at home, in the workplace, in the classroom, and in the community in ways that provide creative solutions for reducing barriers and increasing personal capabilities. Assistive technology can help a person overcome limitations related to a disability by either enhancing the skills the person has or by compensating for absent or non functional skills. For example, video magnification products such as CCTVs enable a visually impaired individual to utilize his/her existing vision by enlarging words and pictures to a recognizable size. When enhancement is not possible, assistive technology can offer an alternative way to accomplish a task. If setting an alarm clock is necessary for a person who is deaf to arrive at work on time each day, then use of a vibrating alarm clock (substitution of vibration for sound) results in the same outcome: waking up in a timely manner. Captioning technology - computer assisted real time translation (CART) - allows the deaf and hard of hearing to understand what is going on around them by providing a written transcript of the words spoken during a movie, television program, or group presentation.
Assistive technology can help young children participate in typical early
childhood activities.
Access to a computer is now a reality for people with limited hand function because of alternative keyboards, mouse options, and software choices. A person with hand paralysis from a spinal cord injury or severe pain
and limited movement from arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome can operate
a computer via head or eye movements or use of their voice. A person who
is blind can use specialized software and hardware to * * * * * * * In summary then, assistive technology is any piece of equipment or device that may be used by a person with a disability to perform specific tasks, improve functional capabilities, and become more independent. Assistive technology can help redefine what is possible and achievable!
Jill Sherman-Pleasant, Project Director AzTAP provides support to five Regional Resource Centers (RRCs) in Arizona. These RRCs provide direct Assistive Technology services to persons with disabilities, and are available to help consumers select the most appropriate devices, and advocate for themselves in order to acquire funding for devices and services. IHD Assistive Technology Center Southwest Human Development Technology Access Center of Tucson (TACT) UCP of Central Arizona This document was developed by the Arizona Technology Access Program. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Grant #H224A40002. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of NIDRR or the U.S. Department of Education, and do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
This document was developed by the Arizona Technology Access Program. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Grant #H224A40002. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of NIDRR or the U.S. Department of Education, and do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. |
