Assistive technology (AT) devices help individuals with disabilities maintain and improve their functional capabilities. AT encompasses any item or equipment that is used to increase the abilities of people living with disabilities. This allows them to have greater independence and access an improved quality of life. AT can assist students with disabilities by enhancing their academic performance, classroom participation, and ability to complete difficult tasks. It helps in areas such as learning, mobility, communication, vision, hearing, and environmental control. Laws like the Technology Act and IDEA provide technology-related support for individuals with disabilities. AT options exist on a continuum from low to high tech solutions.

1. Assistive Technology
Kellie Eckert and Melissa Sears

2. The term assistive technology (AT) device means any
item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether
acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is
used to increase, maintain, or improve functional
capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
What is assistive technology?

3. Why Use Assistive Technologies?
Assistive Technology (AT) devices help overcome challenges
and enable people living with disabilities to enhance and have
access to a quality of life, that may otherwise not be known,
and lead more independent lives.
Using technology can help students with disabilities to enhance
and improve their independence in academic and employment
tasks, their participation in classroom discussions, along with
helping them to accomplish some difficult academic tasks.

4. Help a student learn
Make things easier to turn on
Hold things steady or in place
Help a student get dressed or eat ™
Make playing or recreational activities possible ™
Allow communication or improve communication ™
Help a student see or hear better ™
Help a student control things such as a television, radio, computer or lights
What Can They Do?

5. Technology-Related Assistance for
Individuals with Disabilities (Tech Act)
and Idea

6. Assistive Technology Continuum
No/Low Tech Mid Tech High Tech

8. Resources:
Alnahdi, G. (2014). Assistive Technology in Special Education and the Universal
Design for Learning. Turkish Online Journal Of Educational Technology - TOJET, 13(2),
18-23. Retrieved From: odu.edu/libraries
BUGAJ, CR; NORTON-DARR, S; International Society for Technology in
Education. (2010). The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public
Schools. International Society for Technology in Education [ISTE]. Eugene, Or.
Retrieved From: odu.edu/libraries
Anderson, Glenda. (2015). Glenda's Assistive Technology Information and more....
http://atclassroom.blogspot.com/
Reed, P. (2007) Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative: A Resource Guide For
Teachers and Administrators About Assistive Technology. Retrieved From:
http://www.wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/ATResourceGuideDec08.pdf