Overview of Assistive Technology

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 15, 2025

"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. It does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of that device."
—IDEA, 2004, Part A, §300.5

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​Purpose of Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) increases independence, participation, and achievement in education, employment, and daily life. For students who are blind or visually impaired, AT may help with:

• Accessing print and electronic materials
• Completing academic tasks
• Participating in daily routines
• Enhancing mobility and communication
• Improving overall quality of life

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AT Tools for Vision-Specific Needs

AT devices are grouped by functional need. Below are categories with common examples:
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

• Adapted utensils and cups
• Dressing aids
• Toilet seats, grooming tools
• Adapted cooking tools

Assistive Listening Devices

• Hearing aids, personal FM systems
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Captioning, signalers, TTY/TDD

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

• Communication boards, speech devices
• Eye gaze boards, symbol-based software
• Voice output communication aids

Computer Access & Input

• Screen readers, screen magnification software
• Adaptive keyboards, keyguards
• Trackballs, touch screens, head pointers
• Voice recognition software, switch access

Environmental Control

• Switch-activated appliances
• Remote control switch access
• Task lighting

Learning & Study Aids

• Highlighted texts, visual schedules
• Electronic organizers, timers
• Concept mapping software

Mobility Aids

• White canes, electronic travel aids
• Walkers, wheelchairs
• Telescopic or sensor-based aids

Recreation & Leisure

• Adapted toys and games
• Beeping balls, arm supports
• Accessible video games and software

Seating & Positioning

• Specialized chairs, supports, and frames
• Adapted desks/tables, book stands
• Wheelchairs with positioning aids

Visual Aids

• Screen magnifiers, large print, CCTVs
• Braille notetakers, embossers
• Audio books, tactile materials
• OCR scanners, reading machines

Writing Tools

• Slant boards, adapted pencils and paper
• Word processors, talking word processing
• Word prediction, braille devices

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AT Tools for Vision-Specific Needs

​Many students with visual impairments benefit from:

• Braille Notetakers (e.g., BrailleSense, BrailleNote)
• Video Magnifiers (portable or desktop CCTVs)
• iOS/Tablet Accessibility (VoiceOver, Zoom, Magnifier apps)
• Screen Readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver)
• Screen Magnifiers (ZoomText, Windows Magnifier)
• OCR & Reading Tools (KNFB Reader, Seeing AI)
• Braille Embossers/Translators
• Windows Shortcuts & Keyboard Navigation

Important Note: Outdated school equipment may not run current AT software. Administrators should consider alternate funding sources when budgets are tight.

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​Core AT Skills to Teach

Students should learn to:

• Retrieve, set up, and care for their device
• Troubleshoot minor problems
• Efficiently use AT to read, write, search, and navigate
• Apply tools in academic, vocational, and leisure settings

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