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Purpose of Assistive Technology

Assistive technology, the devices and systems that help disabled individuals perform everyday tasks, helps this population live more independent and satisfying lives. These helpful mobility and sensory aids assist people of all ages and ability levels.

  1. Description

    • The University of Washington defines assistive technology as technology that helps disabled people do things more easily. The federal government formally defined such technologies in Section 508 of its Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which outlines the government's role in providing employee or public access to them, according to the Federal Register.

    Examples

    • Examples of assistive technologies include oversized keyboards for people with finger or hand disabilities, text-enlarging software for the visually impaired and speech-to-text telephones for the deaf. Even walkers or wheelchairs count as assistive technologies because they help people with mobility disorders get around in public spaces.

    Benefits

    • Assistive technology allows people with disabilities to live, learn and work more independently and maintain a higher quality of life, according to the Pennsylvania Journal on Positive Approaches. Schoolchildren can continue to use regular classrooms, while elderly people can do things for themselves at home instead of moving to a nursing facility.

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