EDPY 497/563Introduction

Assistive technology

Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired

commercially off the shelf, modified or customised, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional

capabilities of a child with a disability.

Terminology

Augmentative and alternative communicationComputer accessAdaptive toys and gamesInstructional aidsPositioningMobilityAids to daily living

Instructional technology

Technology that is used as part of the education of the childIncludes both presentation and remedial technologiesCan overlap with AT

Assistive technology service

Evaluation of the childAcquiring the deviceSelecting, fitting, adapting, maintaining...the deviceCoordinating and using other therapiesTraining and assistance for the childTraining and assistance for professionals

Low technology

No electronic componentsRelatively inexpensive

Mid technologyMay be electronic

Still relatively simple

Relatively inexpensive

High technology

Often computer based technologyMore complex to operate

Universal design

The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest

extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialised design

Examples

Automatic doors

Curb cuts

Captioning