Using Tech for Disabilities: What Is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology is any item or piece of equipment that allows people with disabilities to perform tasks they might otherwise find difficult or completely impossible due to physical limitations. You may think that references only electronic items, but that's not the case. AT can come in either high-tech or low-tech forms to help with health and wellness.

For example, AT could be a communication board that uses fuzzy felt icons or a program that vocalizes on the user’s behalf through optical controls. From high-tech items such as prosthetic limbs and, computer hardware to simple products like books printed in braille and spoons designed with a wider handle to help those with fine motor issues, AT comes in a variety of forms. Assistive technology is available for young students with learning disabilities, as well as adults who want to live more independently. If it helps someone with a disability navigate daily life more easily, then it belongs under the AT umbrella.

Assistive technology has advanced drastically in the last few decades, and there are now AT options for all kinds of needs. Here are only a few examples of this type of tech.

For people with vision issues, special needs phones with tactile buttons and large screens make it possible to communicate with family and friends. If manually pressing buttons by hand isn’t an option, there are text-to-speech programs on some devices that use optical character recognition (OCR) for accurate responses. The technology found in smart home devices enables visually impaired people to operate appliances with vocal commands via a smart speaker. For those with hearing impairments, hearing aids and amplifiers can help correct  mild to total deafness when inserted. Additionally, vibrating alarm clocks and smart doorbells that flash when someone arrives can significantly enhance independence.

Memory aids and digital note-taking computer software can keep students with learning difficulties from falling behind. There are also simple eating utensils that are ergonomically modified for people with poor grip or unsteady hands. Ramps for wheelchairs now come in portable forms to help avoid limitations at buildings that aren’t otherwise accessible. Thanks to increasing awareness of how assistive technology changes the lives of those who use it, more of these devices are being introduced in the market.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides funding and technology to those who file for disability to ensure their quality of life. Getting approved is sometimes a lengthy process, but the act's intent is to put AT in the hands of those who need it. It also mandates that certain businesses and locations have assistive technology and comply with standards put in place to make life easier for people with disabilities. Beyond government programs, certain charitable organizations provide AT to kids and adults for free or at drastically reduced prices.

Some prosthetics or devices may be covered by insurance plans and are available through doctors or physical therapists. Employers may also supply AT if you can prove you need it to do your job. Schools can provide school supplies and tools for in-class and homework assignments to students who apply and qualify for federally mandated assistance programs. Unfortunately, tools and devices that are not available through any programs or under insurance must be purchased out of pocket.

Some AT is only in infant stages, and others are so new they aren't widely available yet. For example, smart home companies are working on communication devices for individuals with special needs, including robotic home assistants that both deaf and blind people can use. Since virtual and augmented reality works so well for entertainment purposes, science is testing its worth for people with physical and mental disabilities. On the simpler side, some companies are working on specialized instruments and toothbrushes that are easier to hold.

Beyond personal use items, some cities are starting to make areas more disability friendly. New York City is one municipality that is outfitting public spaces with better accessibility technology. All over the world, the AT industry grows daily. As science learns more about various disabilities, it continues to adapt new assistive tech.

Assistive technology allows people with disabilities greater independence in their lives, with new products emerging all the time. You can find AT through medical professionals or for purchase at major stores. As people gain more assistive technology gadgets and capabilities, more independence and autonomy are available to those who need it most.