Frequently Asked Questions On Assistive Technology

Users of assistive technology are those who have disabilities that interfere with communication, learning, social relationships, mobility, and active participation.

The choice is a decision made in coordination with a team of professionals and consultants trained to match particular assistive technologies to specific needs. An AT specialists may include family doctors, regular and special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, rehabilitation engineers, occupational therapists, and other specialists.

The following are the areas where there may be a need for AT devices:

• Autism spectrum disorders
• Blindness and low vision
• Deafness and hard of hearing
• Computer access problems
• Communication disorders
• Mobility impairment
• Mounting systems
• Learning disabilities
• Cognitive disabilities
• Web accessibility
• Augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC)

• Low tech tools like communication boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt.
• special-purpose computers.
• prosthetics, mounting systems, and positioning devices.
• special switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.
• screen readers and communication programs.
• AT may include specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.
• specialized curricular software.
• electronic devices, educational software and much more.