Description, Laws, and Types of Assistive Technology

1. By: Rebecca Ganey

2. Assistive technology is any device that aids
a person with a disability, in order for them
to complete a task. Assistive technology
can be “low-tech” (low-cost/simple), or
“high-tech” (high-cost/sophisticated).

3. • Access and Environmental Controls: Allows access to things in the environment.
Ex. Electronic controls like switches, special keyboards/mouse, and remote
controls as well as things that help people get around the community, like ramps,
automatic door openers, and Braille signs.
• Aids to Daily Living: Aids in daily activities, like brushing teeth, dressing or eating.
Ex. Adapted utensils, plates and cups, non-skid surfaces, and specially designed
toilet seats and shower stalls.
• Assistive Listening: Helps a student who is either deaf or has a hearing loss. Ex.
Hearing aids, amplifiers, captions on TV, and typing telephones.
• Alternative Communication: Allows a child who cannot speak, or whose speech is
not understood by others, to communicate. This includes picture boards, voice
output communication devices, communication software and computers.
• Computer-Based Instruction: Software to help students with learning difficulties in
reading, writing, math and other subject areas.
• Mobility: Equipment that assists a student with a physical or visual disability
become more independent. Ex. Wheelchairs, walkers, and adapted bicycles.
• Positioning: Any support that helps a student with a physical disability remain in a
good position. Ex. Adjustable chairs, tables, standers, wedges and straps.
• Visual Aids: Gives a student with visual difficulties access to information. Ex: large-
print books, books on tape, magnifiers, talking computer software, and Braillers.

4. Laws regarding Assistive Technology
The federal government recognized the need for
assistive technology for students in the revisions of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) in 1997 and 2004. IDEA states that school
districts must consider assistive technology for any
child in special education. That means that for any
child receiving special education services, the
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team must ask if
there is a device that will “increase, maintain, or
improve functional capabilities” of that child. If the
answer is yes, the school district must provide the
services.

5. Hearing Impaired
Hearing Loops/Aids are systems that use
electromagnetic energy to transmit
sound. Amplified sound travels through
the loop and creates an electromagnetic
field that is picked up directly by a
hearing loop receiver. Some loop systems
are portable, making it possible for
people with hearing loss to improve their
listening environments, as needed, as
they proceed with their daily activities. A
hearing loop can be connected to a public
address system, a television, or any other
audio source.

6. Visually Impaired
Braille Notetakers are personal
digital assistants for individuals
who are blind or visually
impaired. Input is through a P
Braille keyboard or a standard
QWERTY keyboard. Output is
through an adjustable speech
synthesizer and some models
include refreshable braille
displays which can also provide
refreshable braille when
connected to a computer
running popular screen reading
programs.

7. Learning Disabled
• A talking calculator has a
built-in speech
synthesizer that reads
aloud each number,
symbol, or operation key
a user presses; it also
vocalizes the answer to
the problem. This
auditory feedback may
help a student check the
accuracy of the keys he
presses and verify the
answer before he
transfers it to paper.

8. Physically Disabled
• The voice recognition
technology is helpful for
those who cannot enter
instructions meant for
computers with keyboards.
Voice transcription software
is used for entering data into
the computer; such type of
software products allow
differently abled people to
use the computer efficiently.

9. References
Jendron, J. (2015). The Power of Assistive Technology. Retrieved from:
http://www.connsensebulletin.com/jendron.html
Learning Disabilites, http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning-disabilities/
National Public Website on Assistive Technology | http://www.assistivetech.net/
Reed, P. (2007). Assistive Technology Resource Guide. Retrieved from:
http://www.connsensebulletin.com/jendron.html