Assistive Technology

What is Assistive Technology?

It has been estimated that 54 million people or 20.6 percent of all Americans have some level of disability.

Assistive technology (AT) can be defined as any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. Sec 2202(2)).

According to the Interagency Committee on Disability Research 2001 -2002 Report to the President and Congress (October 2003), individuals with disabilities use AT to accommodate limitations due to their disabilities. A few examples include:

Toilets and showers equipped with grab bars for persons who may fall easily or require supports
A computer that can be programmed to talk for individuals who cannot speak
Wheelchairs, both manual and power, for individuals who cannot walk due to paralysis or weakness in their legs
Hearing aids and other amplification devices for individuals with hearing loss
Large screen computers for individuals with visual problems
Devices that operate lamps, radios and other appliances through a remote control switching device, that might be attached to a person's wheelchair

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Federal Laws Impacting the Assistive Technology Industry

Bureau of Industry and Security - U.S. Department of Commerce
Includes information on:

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Accessibility Guidelines and Standards

Facilities:

Transportation:

Communications:

Telecommunications Act Accessibility Guidelines

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State Laws, Policies, Standards or Guidelines on Accessibility

The Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (ITTATC), which is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, provides an overview of various states that have published on-line their laws, policies, standards or guidelines, and other resources related to accessibility of web sites, application development, and IT procurement (i.e., the core areas).

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Assistive Technology Classification

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
ICF describes how people live with their health condition. ICF is a classification of health and health related domains that describe body functions and structures, activities and participation. Since an individual's functioning and disability occurs in a context, ICF also includes a list of environmental factors.

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Assistive Technology Resources

The Access Board
A Federal agency committed to accessible design.
Interagency Committee on Disability Research 2001 -2002 Report to the President and Congress (October 2003), Appendix D - Assistive Technology Resources
AbleData
A federally funded project, ABLEDATA, whose primary mission is to provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States, conducts a database with information on more than 30,000 assistive technology products (over 20,000 of which are currently available), from white canes to voice output programs. The database contains detailed descriptions of each product including price and company information. The database also contains information on non-commercial prototypes, customized and one-of-a-kind products, and do-it-yourself designs.
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe
International Code Council (ICC)
ICC offers a matrix on their website that serves to facilitate comparisons of the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities, published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2004 and amended August 5, 2005, with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), signed into law in 1990, and the 2006 International Building Code, which references the standard ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities-2003.

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