Assistive Technology By Amy Milne ED505

What is Assistive Technology (AT)? Assistive Technology is the use of special made devices or services to assist people in doing tasks they might not other wise be able to do at home, work, or at school. They are to help the disabled be more self proficient. Not all devices are computer generated or high tech. Some are low tech which means it is a simple design with no computerized technology.

Is there a law about AT? The Assistive Technology Act was first passed by Congress and signed by the President as the Technology-Related Assistance Act of It’s often called the Tech Act for short and has been reauthorized in 1994, 1998, and The most current version of the Act is authorized through 2010 (U.S. Department).

Who can it help? The AT Act is intended to impact anyone, child or adult, who has a disability as defined under any federal law. Further, the AT Act defines eligibility as anyone who has a disability that can be "enabled" by an AT device or service to "minimize deterioration in functioning, to maintain a level of functioning, or to achieve a greater level of functioning in any major life activity." With this broad definition of eligibility, the AT Act can be assumed to assist many of the 54 million individuals currently identified with a disability (Baush).

What kind of Assistive Technology is right for the hearing impaired? Hearing Aides are worn in the ear to make sounds louder ASL Software is a computer program that teaches American Sign Language Speech Synthesizers makes spoken words into text and typed words into speech Speech To Text Systems allows speech to be made into readable words

What are some AT devices for the seeing impaired? Screen magnifiers are made to make the projection larger Speech synthesizers can be used by recording and playing back or typing out answers Audiobooks can also be helpful

What are some AT devices for the ones with a learning disability? Audiobooks can help with slow readers Computer based instructional games can help with all types of learning disabilities in all subjects Graphic organizers are helpful to keep thoughts in order Word games can help with reading

What are some AT devices to help with the physically disabled? Wheel chairs can help move a person from place to place with greater ease Straps placed on writing utensils or weighted pencils Dycem is a nonskid surface to help keeps items in place such as pencils, books, plates, and even a person

References Bausch, Margaret E.; Mittler, Joel E.; Hasselbring, Ted S.; Cross, Donald P. The Assistive Technology Act of 2004: What Does It Say and What Does It Mean?. Retrieved from on October 31, U.S. Department of Education. (2006). Assistive Technology Act: Annual report to Congress: Fiscal years 2004 and Available online at: