What Is Assistive Technology and Why Is It Important?Skip Navigation - Site Map - Text Size Help |
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The links in this column will change the page to the section you select. HomeOverview Self-Advocacy Assistive Technology Introduction Why AT? Plan Worksheet Summary Activity 10 Activities 11 - 12 Activities 13 - 14 Activities 15 - 16 Activity 17 Resources Planning for College Applying to College Disability Services Adult Services 
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Assistive Technology is any type of technology, simple to complex, that helps people with disabilities overcome limitations. Commonly referred to as No Tech, Low Tech, and High Tech; there is a range of options to choose from. The terms everyday items and marketed devices are used throughout the Guidance Activities to encourage students to think about how to use both common things as well as specialized technologies. Follow this link for examples . Even if your son or daughter is succeeding in high school classes, keep in mind that the workload in college will be more demanding. Using AT now will help prepare for these demands. Not all students leave high school with the knowledge and skill to use assistive technology. Those who do are far better off.
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As its name suggests, these solutions are based on very rudimentary tools. Examples might include: using a stick with a hook on it to extend one's reach, using an index card with a window cut in it to improve tracking, and using earplugs. Low technology solutions might include commonly available low-cost tools such as a calculator, alarm clock, and spell checking programs. Examples of high techology solutions might include: specially designed software programs to read electronic text, convert speech to electronic text or convert electronic text to braille. Sometimes these high tech solutions are expensive but sometimes they are available at low or no cost Everyday Items are, as the name implies, objects that we find all around us that can be put to use to overcome a disability. For examle, sticky notes can hold a place, act as a reminder, organize ones thinking, and temporarily mask too much information.
Marketed devices are technologies that have been developed specifically to remove a barrier caused by diability. They include everything from hearing aids to computer programs that convert voice to text and text to voice. This is test Layer 06. This is a test of how much text you can get in the layer |