What is assistive technology?

Typical technical/legal definition...

"...any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

A better definition...

'...technology that improves the functional ability of anyone who needs it."

  • If glasses improve my ability to see, glasses are assistive technology.
  • If a hearing aid improves my ability to hear, the hearing aid is assistive technology.
  • If a wheelchair improves my ability to move about, the wheelchair is assistive technology.
  • If a communication device improves my ability to communicate, that device is assistive technology.
  • If a pencil grip improves my ability to use a pencil, the grip is assistive technology.
  • If a word processor improves my ability to write, the word processor is assistive technology.
  • If word prediction software improves my ability to use a word processor, word prediction is assistive technology.
  • If a ball cap improves my ability to focus, the ball cap is assistive technology.
  • If text-to-speech improves my ability to read, text-to-speech is assistive technology
  • If a speech generating devices improves my ability to communicate, that SGD is assistive technology. 


Doing the Impossible with Digital Technology!

Convergence of Mainstream Technology and Assistive Technology

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) -- CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology @ Harvard University)

Paul's Take on UDL