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What is Assistive Technology?

"In 1982, I was writing a story on a blind man who used a talking terminal, and I was trying to decide how I would describe the technology. I played around with words and phrases for a good 90 minutes. I came up with the phrase “assistive technology,” and at that time the word “assistive” wasn’t even in the English language."- John Willliams
Defining Assisitive Technology

Assistive Technology is defined as 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 (Assistive Technology Act of 2004, P.L. 108-364).  

 

Though the term Assistive Technology is relatively newly-coined, the concept of devices that are used to used to improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities has been around for a long time.  The devices and services related to assistive technology do not have to be expensive or extensive to have impact.  Low Tech Assistive Technology are devices that are easily obtained or made at generally low cost such as a white cane, alphabet board or build-up foam.  High Tech Assistive Technology are devices that are more expensive and extensive such as computer interfaces, powered mobility or an electric feeder. The few examples of assistive technology shared below exemplify innovations that impacted how people live and learn throughout the centuries.

 

  • The Cairo Toe, an ancient prosthetic to assist with walking, was discovered with an Egyptian mummy and dated before 600 B.C.

  • King Philip II of Spain used a wheelchair in the 16th centrury to ease mobility issues.

  • Benjamin Franklin invented the bifocal lens in August 1784 for vision and the first reacher known as "The Long Arm"  in 1786 for obtaining items out of reach.

  • In 1829, Louis Braille published his book, Method of Writing Words, Music and Plain Songs by Means of Dots for Use by the Blind and Arranged for Them to train the trainers how to work with students who were blind.

  • JAWS screenreader originally released in 1989 innovated the way the Blind community interacts with computers.

  • Apple releases the iPhone in 2007, creating the mobile platform by which people communicate and interact with each other and their surroundings.

 

Legislation impacting role of Assistive Technology

As people with disability fought for equality, legislation has developed over the years to ensure that discrimination based on disbailties are not occuring in educational, vocational and social settings.  More recently, the addition of language that addresses the use of assistive technology; there are four Federal Laws, highlighted below, that impact the provision of Assistive Technology for people with disabilites:

 

  • Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA)

    • Mulitple sections specifically address assistive technology with the education process.  IDEA defines assistive technology and states that it should be "considered" whether a student "needs" assistive technology devices and/or training to participate in a Free and Appropriate Education in the least restrictive environment with non-disabled peers.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA) (and later ADA Amendement Act of 2008)

    • Ensures the rights of people with disabilities by "provid[ing] a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities" - Sec. 12101 note: Findings and Purposes of ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-325, § 2, Sept. 25, 2008, 122 Stat. 3553

  • Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Sections 504 and 508)

    • Ensures non discrimination of the persons with disability be denied benefits of participation of a service or site that receive federal funding including schools and universities (and corresponding web site accessibilty - Section 508) 

  • Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988 (Tech Act) P.L. 100-407 and 2004 Ammendments

    • Established financial assistance to states to create assistive technology programs that provide the direct and indirect services to people with and people serving people with disabilities learn about and obtain assistive technology.

 

By federally mandating the access to assistive technolgy, public entities such as schools, are responsible for providing equal and appropriate access to curriculum, which may include the addition of assistive technologies into the plan. Each of the regulations impacts how a person with disabilities may be entitled to use assistive technology to access their educational and post-educational life in a timely manner.  

Assistive Technology in School

Assistive technology in schools is used to access the academic, social and physical aspects of the school environment.  It can be classified as low tech, like a slant board or a pencil grip, to high tech like a computer based communication or writing system.  If a child is receiving special education services through an Individualize Education Plan (IEP), assistive technology is mandated to be "considered" through IDEA throughout the student's educational journey, at least annually.  Consideration is usually a checkbox item within the document.  At transition especially, interdisciplinary teams work together with the student to identify personal goals for the future related to vocation, education and independent living.  If there are barriers to the attainment of the goals, assistive technology may be a viable avenue to provide access to the various post secondary environments.  To be in compliance with the laws, schools must do their due diligence in understanding the impact of considering assistive technology during the transition assessment process.

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