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Assistive Technology

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Help with Daily Living > Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) refers to devices used by people with disabilities to help them perform tasks and activities. AT devices can help you move around, see, communicate, eat, or get dressed. Some are high-tech, such as a computer program that reads aloud what you have typed into the computer. Others are much simpler, like a "reacher"—a tool that helps you grab an object you can't reach.

Other types of assistive technology include:

• a one-handed cutting board that has spikes to hold food in place while you cut it with one hand
• automatic page turners
• light-weight wheelchairs designed for organized sports, such as basketball, tennis, and racing
• motorized scooters
• talking clocks
• Velcro® fasteners on shoes

Another type of assistive technology that you may have heard of is a telephone relay service. This service allows a person who is deaf to communicate with a hearing person over the phone. The person who is deaf types on a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), which has a keyboard and a small screen. A phone company operator receives the message and reads it aloud for the person who can hear. The hearing person gives her reply to the operator, who then types it into her TDD. This text then shows up on the screen of the TDD of the person who is deaf.

Need help choosing or buying an AT device? Try contacting your state's AT program. These programs provide:

• AT demonstration and loan centers, where you can sample a variety of AT devices and take them home to try out
• information and referral services to help you locate companies that sell AT devices
• low-interest loans to help you pay for AT products

Additional Resources

Publications

1.     2005-2007 Federal Government TTY Directory — This directory was formulated because of the Telecommunications Accessibility Enhancement Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-542), which tasks the General Services Administration (GSA) with ensuring that the Federal Telecommunications System be fully accessible to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities.

   http://www.fts.gsa.gov/frs/docs/FRS_TTY2005Q_Directory.pdf

2.   ABLEDATA's Publications — This site lists the publications available from ABLEDATA. ABLEDATA produces fact sheets and informed consumer guides to help you select various types of assistive products.

   http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=89079&ksectionid=160164

3.   Assistive Technology — This fact sheet explains what assistive technology is, who it is appropriate for, what the benefits are, and where to get financial assistance for it.

   http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/Housing/Assistive_Tech/Assistive_Tech.aspx

4. Adaptive Cooking (Copyright © Infinitec) — This web site provides information about kitchen accessibility basics, shopping, kitchen tools, and more for people with disabilities.

   http://www.infinitec.org/live/kitchens/basickitchens.htm

5. Assistive Technology Programs (Copyright © ATAP) — Look for your state on this list of Assistive Technology Programs to find help near you.

   http://www.ataporg.org/atap/nisat.php

6. Resources for Adults with Disabilities — This publication helps adults with disabilities find organizations and resources that can assist them with employment, postsecondary education, recreation, independent living, and assistive technology.

   http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/transum/adttxt.htm

7.   Solutions: Assistive Technology for People with Hidden Disabilities (Copyright © Iowa Department of Public Health) — This publication provides information about devices that can help people with hidden disabilities, such as those relating to mood, attention, memory, safety, and more.

   http://www.uiowa.edu/infotech/Solutions.pdf

Organizations

1.   ABLEDATA, NIDDR, ED
2. Accessible Space, Inc.
3. ADA & IT Technical Assistance Centers
4. Adaptive Environments
5. Alliance for Technology Access
6. Disabled Sports USA
7. Family Center on Technology and Disability
8. National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
9. National Rehabilitation Information Center, NIDRR, ED
10. Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.