Assistive Technology

What is Assistive Technology?

“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 functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. AT service is directly assisting an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.”

Source: The US technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities act of 1988, Section 3.1. Public Law 100-407, August 9, 1988. The Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988, often called the Tech Act for short has been reauthorized in 1994, 1998, and 2004.

In 2014, under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 was moved from the Rehabilitation Services Administration in the Department of Education to the Administration for Community of Living in the Department of Health and Human Services.  – See The Administration for Community Living (ACL) 

Assistive technologies enable people to communicate, receive instruction, learn, play, move about, achieve, and be independent (Blackstone, 1990). These technologies have been used to enhance the abilities of people as part of early intervention services, in educational and recreational programs, for employment, rehabilitation, and for independent living (Solarz, 1990)According to the Technology-related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Tech Act), an 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 individuals with disabilities.” Assistive technology services are defined in the Act as “any services that directly assist an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device” (P.L. 100-407, Sec.3 1988). According to the Act, these services include;

  1. evaluation of needs, providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by individuals with disabilities;
  2. selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing, such assistive devices;
  3. coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology;
  4. training or providing technical assistance for an individual with disabilities; and,
  5. training or providing technical assistance for professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide services to or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of individuals with disabilities.

ReferencesBlackstone, S. (1990). Assistive technology in the classroom: issues and guidelines. Augmentative Communication News, 3(6).Public Law 100-407. Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988.

Solarz A.L. (1990) Rehabilitation psychologists: A place in the policy process? American Psychologist, 45(6), 776-770.(Note: this description has been taken directly from grant proposal prepared by the Institute on Disabilities, the University Affiliated Program at Temple University.)

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Understanding Assistive Technology

        • PrAACtical AAC supports

          A community of professionals and families who are determined to improve the communication and literacy abilities of people with significant communication difficulties. It was founded in 2011 by two SLP professors, Carole Zangari and the late Robin Parker, around a shared passion for AAC.

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Information & Resources for People with Disabilities

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