Assistive technology (AT) can help people with disabilities do many things independently. Even though it’s called "technology," it doesn’t have to be expensive!
Here are some examples:
- A signature guide so that an individual who is blind can sign an employment or loan application.
- A flashing light that lets an individual who is deaf know that someone has rung the doorbell.
- Speech recognition software that helps a student with a learning disability write a term paper.
- Magnifying devices from a hand-held glass to a large screen monitor.
In short, AT is any item, piece of equipment or product system that is used to help an individual with a disability perform tasks of daily living. It can be homemade, purchased off the shelf or modified. AT can be as simple as a pencil grip, splint or paper stabilizer or as complex as adapted computers and software, magnifiers, assistive listening devices, note taking devices and environmental control units.
Many students with disabilities in higher education or training programs depend on assistive technology.
AT Links ->