Overview of Assistive Technology

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated November 22, 2015

Any adaptive device or service that increases participation, achievement or independence for a student with a disability may be considered assistive technology (AT). Assistive technology helps individuals who are visually impaired (with and without additional disabilities) increase their access to the curriculum or job and improves their performance. 

Assistive technology devices are available in a variety of categories to address functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Categories of assistive technology include: academic and learning aids; aids for daily living; assistive listening devices and environmental aids; augmentative communication; computer access and instruction; environmental control; mobility aids; pre-vocational and vocational and vocational aids, recreation and leisure aids, seating and positioning, and visual aids.

The following are just examples of AT devices that may be considered. While not all devices are vision specific, the vision specialist will want to support the team in selection of devices that meet the individuals unique visual needs. For an overview of vision specific assistive technology vision the VI Assistive Technology page. 

Types of AT

• ​Activities of Daily Living. Adapted eating utensils; adapted drinking devices; adaptive dressing devices; specially designed toilet seats; restroom modifications; aids for grooming; robotic and electronic feeders; adapted cooking tools; or universal cuff to hold items. 
• ​​Assistive Listening. Hearing aids; sound cancelling headphones;  classroom amplification; personal FM system; captioning; signaling device; TDD/TTY; screen flash on compu​ter; or phone amplification.
• ​Augmentative Communication. Communication boards and wallets with pictures, words or letters; eye gaze board; simple voice output device; electronic communication devices; speech synthesizers for typing; communication enhancement software; or computer based communication system.
• ​​Communication. Communication boards and wallets with pictures, words or letters; eye gaze board; simple voice output device; electronic communication devices; speech synthesizers for typing; communication enhancement software; or computer based communication system.
• ​​Computer Access. Keyboard with built in accessibility options on standard computer; key guard; arm support; track ball/track pad; joystick with onscreen keyboard; alternate keyboard; mouth stick/head pointer; head mouse/head master, tracker; touch screen; voice recognition software; switch and Morse code; switch with scanning; screen reader; or word prediction/abbreviated expansion.
• ​​Computer with Access to Technology. Due to shortage of funds, many schools are using outdated equipment. Although it is understandable that schools are "tightening their purse strings," administrators need to understand that the majority of the special software programs and technology needed by students with visual impairments will not operate functionally on old or outdated equipment. When funds are tight it may require looking to alternative sources for funding.
• ​​Environmental Control. Switch interfaces for appliances; adapted on/off switches; remote control switch access; switch latch timers; switch interface for battery operated devices; or task lighting.
• ​​Learning & Studying. Picture/print schedules; low tech aids; highlighted text; highlighters; voice output reminder; electronic organizer; low or mid tech timer; software for organizing ideas; or software for concept development.
• ​​​Mobility. Walkers; grab rails; manual or powered wheelchairs; powered recreational vehicles; building modifications and adaptations; white canes; electronic image sensors; and telescopic aids.
• ​​Recreation & Leisure. Adapted toys and games; adapted puzzles; switch activations with battery interrupter; adapted sporting equipment; universal cuff to hold crayons, markers; modified stampers and scissors; beeping balls; arm support for drawing; graphic design software; or adaptive computer games.
• ​​Seating & Positioning. These types of AT may allow access to the educational activities: non-slip surface on chair; blocks for feet; bolster or rolled towel for positioning; adapted or alternate chair; side-lying frames; standing frame; floor sitter; chair insert; wheelchairs; custom fitted wheelchair; straps; head supports; trays; adapted desk/table; book stand; or bean bag chairs.
• ​​Visual Aids. Increased contrast; enlarged images; use of tactile and auditory materials; books on tape; eye glasses; magnifier; large print books; low vision aids; screen magnifier; screen magnification software; electronic magnifier (sometimes called a CCTV); screen reader; braille keyboard or notetaker; braille translator software; braille printer/embosser; brailled materials; scanners; optical character readers; or reading machine.
• ​​Writing. Pencil with adaptive grip; adapted paper; slant board; typewriter; portable word processor; talking word processing; computer with word processing; word processing with spell/grammar checking; word prediction; electronic dictionary/thesaurus/spell checker; word cards/word book/word wall; voice recognition software; braille keyboard or notetaker; or braille printer.
  

Overview of AT

Basic Use

• Properly cares for AT tools​
• Stores and retrieves device when needed
• Use appropriate tool for the task
• Reports how to acquire, repair, maintain tool

Problem solve

• Check cable connections
• Reboot
• Call tech support
• Recharge device
• Know when to ask adult for help
• Change batteries (if applicable)

Braille Notetaker

• Turn device on/off
• Orient to braille keypad/QWERTY
• Locate keys (previous, back, forward, next, etc.)
• Locate braille display
• Locate ports: serial, parallel, and power
• Connect device to printer, embosser, power
• Use navigational commands
• Use reading commands
• Use general commands

iOS/Tablet

• Use of accessibility features
• Access digital print
• Downloading e-books
• Communicating with device
• Pairing with braille notetaker

Audio

• Adjust speed
• Adjust volume
• Go to specific page
• Move throughout the document
• Set heading level navigation
• Place a bookmark
• Move between bookmarks

Video Magnifier

• Bring various size print “in focus”
• Change image size for various tasks
• Move x-y tray horizontally to scan row
• Move x-y tray vertically to scan rows
• Locate requested items on a page.
• Self-initiate preferred features
• Use line markers to maintain place
• Draw lines to connect pictures in 2 columns
• Use video magnifier to complete reading tasks
• Use video magnifier to complete writing tasks

Basic Computer Use

• Basic computer use (ie shutting down, etc.)
• Touch type all letters
• Use shift key for capitalization
• Touch type numbers and symbols
• Type with increased accuracy
• Type with increased speed
• Use of standard printer
• Use of braille embosser + translation software
• Use of scanner

Access

• Built in Accessibility Features
• Use Screen Magnification Program
• Navigate the windows to locate desired information
• Use Screen Reader Program
• Activate/deactivate and minimize program

Windows Keystrokes

• Move between start button, desktop, taskbar (F6 or tab)
• Open start menu (Windows key or CTRL+ESC)
• Use start menu/desktop icon to open programs
• Display contents of drop-down list (Alt + â)
• Select choice on an icon or drop down list (enter)
• Mark or clear radio buttons (spacebar)
• Close a dialog box or drop down menu (Escape)
• Activate an application menu bar (F10 or Alt)
• Close applications (Alt + F4)
• Maximize a window (shift + windows + M)
• Minimize a window (Windows + M)
• Switch between applications (Alt + tab)
• Get help (F1)
• Use additional keystrokes

Word Processing

• Create a new document
• Move to menu and select from drop-down boxes
• Name and save a document
• Print a document
• Open and close a document
• Move to beginning of line or document
• Move to end of line or document
• Select text
• Cut, copy and paste text
• Undo a previous action
• Use spell check
• Proofread and edit document
• Change character format: font, size, typeface
• Change paragraph alignment
• Format bullets and numbering
• Create a table

Productivity

• Word Processing
• Spreadsheets
• PowerPoint
• Produce assignments in variety of formats
• Microsoft Keystroke commands

Online

• Email
• Open a web browser
• Read a web page
• Activate a link
• Utilize the search command in search engine
• Type in an internet address
• Move forward and back
• Locate a page in the favorites
• Social Media Access
• Download eBooks

"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 the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of that device." ​-IDEA, 2004, Part A, Definitions, 300.5