Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) is defined as any item, piece of equipment, software or product system that is used to increase, improve or compensate for the learning, communication or physical disabilities of individuals. These technologies are meant to assist people who have different disabilities in their day to day life in aspects such as speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking and others.

Assistive technologies are as basic as the pencil with thick handle to grip easily as complex as the electronic sound amplification system or the text to speech software. They can be designed to address the needs of persons with particular disabilities or they can be designed in a way that they can be used by anyone with disabilities.

Each type of disability requires specific assistive technologies

• Visual Impairments: Some of these technologies can be screen magnifiers, text to speech programs, braille displays, tactile cards and other equipments which help those with partial or total eye impairment.
• Hearing Impairments: This category comprises of hearing aids, cochlear implants, sound amplifiers and text telephones and other services for the hard of hearing who have varying degrees of hearing impairment.
• Mobility Impairments: Some of the assistive technologies include wheelchairs, walking sticks, lift aids, ergonomic furniture and computer input devices such as special keyboards and mice.
• Cognitive and Learning Disabilities: There are applications that help with learning support, these include planners, reminder devices, information organizing applications, and applications that assist in memory and concentration for learners with learning disabilities or other forms of cognitive disabilities.
• Communication Disorders: Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices including speech generating devices or tablets with communication applications are tools that help or replace verbal communication.

It is crucial to use assistive technologies to help people with disabilities to be independent and have a better quality of life, they can be active members of the society, learn at schools and work at jobs.

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