Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology Resources

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology is any device that helps a person with a disability to complete an everyday task.

The Definition of Assistive Technology from the Tech Act of 1998 [ATA]:

An assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

It is important to know that assistive technology includes services as well as devices. The ATA generally defines assistive technology services as:

• Assistive technology evaluations;
• Purchasing, leasing or otherwise providing for acquisition of assistive technology;
• Maintenance and customization of assistive technology devices;
• Coordination of use of assistive technology devices with other therapies and services;
• Training or technical assistance for individuals with disabilities and their families in the use of devices; and
• Training or technical assistance for professionals involved with individuals with disabilities.

Depending on the age of the individual and where the technology will be used, there are different laws and regulations governing assistive technology. For in-depth information visit these websites:

Disability Resources, Inc.: http://www.disabilityresources.org/AT-LAW.html
Iowa Program for Assistive Technology [Infotech]: http://www.uiowa.edu/infotech/Legal.htm
Family Center on Technology and Disability: http://www.fctd.info/resources/sourcesLev1.php

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Additional Resources

VisionConnection.org
Your connection to vision information and an accessible community for people who are partially sighted or blind. http://www.visionconnection.org

General Assistive Technology Information:
NYS TRAID: http://www.advoc4disabled.state.ny.us/TRAID_Project/technlog.htm
AbleData searchable database: http://www.abledata.com/
Alliance for Technology Access [ATA]: http://www.ataccess.org/
Closing the Gap: http://www.closingthegap.com/
disABILITY Information and Resources: http://www.makoa.org/
CEC - Council for Exceptional Children: http://ericec.org/faq/assist-x.html
Job Accommodation Network [JAN]: http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/
Tech Connections: http://www.techconnections.org/review/index.cfm
Disability-Related Resources from DO-IT: http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/DRR/
Guidelines for Alternative Formats: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/altformats.html

AT for Communication:
Augmentative & Alternative Communication Connecting Young Kids [YAACK]:
http://aac.unl.edu/yaack/
AAC-RERC: http://www.aac-rerc.com/
Infinite Potential Through Assistive Technology:
http://www.infinitec.org/learn/school/augment.htm

AT In Education: Assistive Technology Training Online: http://atto.buffalo.edu/
Idea Practices: http://www.ideapractices.org/
Infinite Potential Through Assistive Technology: http://www.infinitec.org/learn/index.html
NYSED News & Timely Information: http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/timely.htm
Parents, Let's Unite for Kids [PLUK]: http://www.pluk.org/AT1.html
Regional Technology in Education Consortium: http://www.4teachers.org/profdev/at.php

AT Funding: Family Village Disability-Related Resources:
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/at/funding-at.html
Neighborhood Legal Services Funding Booklets: http://www.nls.org/booklets.htm

AT Laws: Disability Resources, Inc.: http://www.disabilityresources.org/AT-LAW.html
Iowa Program for Assistive Technology [Infotech]: http://www.uiowa.edu/infotech/Legal.htm
Family Center on Technology and Disability: http://www.fctd.info/resources/sourcesLev1.php
EdLaw - Comparison of Section 504 & IDEA: http://www.edlaw.net/service/504idea.html

AT Newsletters: Neighborhood Legal Services: http://www.nls.org/
Tech Connection: http://www.techconnections.org/index.cfm

Computer Accessibility: Apple Computer: http://www.apple.com/disability/
IBM Accessibility: http://www-3.ibm.com/able/index.html
Microsoft : http://www.microsoft.com/enable/

Web Accessibility: AccessIt: http://www.washington.edu/accessit/index.php
National Center for Accessible Media: http://ncam.wgbh.org/
DO-IT Program [Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology]:
http://www.washington.edu/doit/
World Wide Web Consortium [W3C] Web Accessibility Initiative:
http://www.w3.org/WAI/References/

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