Assistive Technology: Computer Technology for the Disabled

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Using computer technology (Assistive Technology) helps people with disabilities to lead independent lives, according to Martin Sweeny of Opening the Doors to Community Technology Centers.” Martin Sweeney is the Project Director of the Assistive Technology Project at the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center.

Assistive technology is a more neutral term for access, specifically for individuals who do not have standard access designed and engineered into most products of their daily living, including computer access.

Definitions for Assistive Technology

According to the Assistive Technology Act of 2004, “Assistive Technology (AT) can be a device or a service. An assistive technology device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. An assistive technology service means any service that helps an individual with a disability select, acquire, or use an assistive technology device.”

According to the Technicity Times, there are at least five million men, women, and children living in the United States that fall outside of the standard norm of access. The standard keyboard, the standard mouse, the standard monitor, and the standard off-the-shelf software are all products that most of us are able to use, as long as we have standard sight, hearing, motor-coordination, speech or cognition.

It’s one of those definitions that is so broad that it includes everything from a simple modified pencil grip to a highly specialized microprocessor surgically implanted into someone’s brain.

Assistive technology is like the ramp that gives people who can’t walk access into a building. But assistive technology can go much farther. It can be an extended hand gripper that is used to grab a soup can off a kitchen shelf or a hardware interface designed to translate brain waves into a mouse click, double-click, and drag-on and drag-off commands.

According to Kids Together, Inc., which provides information and resources for children and adults with disabilities, “Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired 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.”

The Federal Department of Rehabilitation says that “Assistive technology is any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.” This technology helps people who have a wide range of disabilities and impairments to overcome their limitations and achieve greater independence.

How Assistive Technology Can Help Those with Disabilities

The Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania suggests that “assistive technology is a device or service that a person with a disability uses to function in his or her daily life. Assistive technology can be found in the home, workplace, school, institution, and community. Assistive technology helps a person with a disability to become or remain independent.”

Assistive technology can improve and even change lives, yet many of those most in need do not receive the information and support necessary to identify, select, and acquire the appropriate assistive technology that might make a difference in the quality of their daily lives.

There are individuals who cannot sit up, type their name, or more importantly, cannot communicate their thoughts. One of the greater examples of those in need of assistive technology is a grandfather whose vision is so poor that he can no longer read a letter from his grandson. People such as these need help with choosing the right assistive technology, even though there are often access solutions available.

Community Technology Centers

Community access is a growing effort, one deserving of commitment and energy. To help in this attempt to develop centers with assistive technology, access for community members with disabilities has to be prioritized. Those who benefit from working with assistive technology gain to benefit from its uses.

In general, community technology centers (CTCs) are not presently equipped to provide the experience, expertise, and services that can provide and support the assistive technology needs of their members with disabilities. However, this lack of experience and expertise does not eliminate the centers from creating a welcoming door to everyone, including those with disabilities.

Centers must consider effective outreach to community members with disabilities, letting them know about programs, resources, and special accommodations. They must consider developing appropriate community services for community members who are unfamiliar and uncomfortable with disability. They must also work with other community resources and agencies to develop adequate assistive technology services and resources.

Resources for Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology is dedicated to opening doors for persons with disabilities. Here are some of the resources that can help these individuals lead a “standard” life.

PDF from Augsburg.edu. E-ssential Guide to Assistive Technology

Washington.edu’sinformation about assisted technology.

Buffalo.edu’s Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms.

Speech or Voice Recognition: History, Resources, Software

Text-to-Speech

Communication Devices

Resource by L.Brown

Leslie Brown is a writer and editor with over 20 years of experience in book publishing, information technology, and web content. She has edited books of fiction and non-fiction and is currently providing web content for two web sites. Leslie has a B.A. in Creative Writing, and she has also done some graduate work in technical documentation. She lives near Seattle, Washington, across from a lake, where she often plays in the water with her rescued golden retriever.

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