What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology, or AT, is any device which allows or assists a person with a disability to do some task or activity. This includes any services the person needs to facilitate their use of this technology. Additional information on the definition of assistive technology may be found at the Washington Assistive Technology Alliance Home Page.
The legal definition of assistive technology is
included below. The following definitions are taken directly
from federal legislation titled, "Technology-Related Assistance
for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) ADVOCACY SERVICES - The term "advocacy services," except
as used as part of the term "protection and advocacy
services," means services-
(A) provided to assist individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives in accessing assistive technology devices and assistive technology services; and
(B) provided through-
(i) individual case management for individuals with disabilities;
(ii) representation of individuals with disabilities (other than representation within the definition of protection and advocacy services);
(iii) training of individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives to successfully conduct advocacy for themselves; or
(iv) dissemination of information.
(2) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE - The term "assistive
technology device" means 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.
(3) ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICE - The term "assistive technology service" means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes-
(A) the evaluation of the needs of an individual with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the individual in the individual's customary environment;
(B) purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by individuals with disabilities;
(C) selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices;
(D) coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
(E) training or technical assistance for an individual with disabilities, or, where appropriate, the family of an individual with disabilities; and
(F) training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of individuals with disabilities.