Assistive Technology
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology, often referred to as AT, is a product, process, strategy or technique that improves an individual’s ability to function or acquire information. Assistive technology can take several shapes and forms including an assistive writing tool, an adapted software program, a communication device, a pair of eyeglasses or something as simple as a piece of velcro.
Assistive technology is defined by a number of public laws specifically noting the distinction between product and process. As a product, the definitions note: “assistive technology device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.” As a service, “assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.”
