ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: WHAT IS IT?

---

 Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.

• AT can be low-tech: communication boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt.
• AT can be high-tech: special-purpose computers.
• AT can be hardware: prosthetics, mounting systems, and positioning devices.
• AT can be computer hardware: special switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.
• AT can be computer software: screen readers and communication programs.
• AT can be inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.
• AT can be specialized curricular software.
• AT can be much more—electronic devices, wheelchairs, walkers, braces, educational software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze and head trackers, and much more.

Assistive technology helps people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, and many other things. Different disabilities require different assistive technologies.

ATIA. “What Is AT?” Assistive Technology Industry Association, 11 Oct. 2015, www.atia.org/home/at-resources/what-is-at/.

After reviewing Assistive Technology more in detail, we learn that AT exists for many types of disabilities. Here at FVBS, we provide training with AT that aids in vision loss. 

There are three main categories of Assistive Technology for the Blind:

• Auditory: these can be screen readers, voice recorders, voice assistance, alarms, and other que-type devices that allow the individual to use their hearing to complete their tasks independently
• Visual: these can be physical magnifiers, electronic magnifiers, special contrast, customized items that allow the individual to use their remaining vision to complete their tasks independently.
• Tactile: these can be braille displays, bump dots, stickers, textures, materials that allow the individual to utilize touch their touch to complete their tasks independently. 

• Screen Reader Software (Reads back what is on the screen, fully interactable. Found on all newer smartphones, tablets, smart watches, computers. Software can be built-in or added)
• Low Vision Software (Allows for magnification, color change, color contrast, special pointers, larger cursors, and much more. Also found on all newer smartphones, tablets, smart watches, computers. Can be built-in or added)
• Voice Assistant (Devices or software that provide information or aid in tasks such as Siri, OK Google, and Alexa)
• CCTV (Electronic Magnifier with or without speech)
• OCR Reader (Optical Character Recognition which essentially converts text to speech by use of a camera. This can be a software or phyiscal device.)
• Refreshable Braille Display (Can be built into device or connected via USB or Bluetooth. Takes information on screen and outputs as Braille and fully interactable.
• Eletronic Notetakers (Devices or software that allow user to take notes and refer back to in an independent way. Can be an app on the phone, voice recorder, or physical device)
• Accessible GPS (Devices or software designed specifically to help individuals with vision loss navigate from places independently without dependance on actual map. Directions are usually very specific, more than what you would see on a general GPS)
• Other solutions (As each case is specific to the individual, other solutions may be needed in addition or substitution to what is listed above)

There are many ways Assistive Technology can be used. When we start working with the individual, we provide an Assistive Technology Assessment (ATA) which we use as a tool to ensure the client is making progress and accomplishing their goals. Each case is unique and specific to the individual's lifestyle. Here are some outlined examples on how AT can be utilized for a person with vision loss. 

• Brian, 23 years old, total vision loss: Brian has always been tech savvy, he is currently attending college and working part time. He loses his vision and has to learn how to use his devices from ground zero. He currently has an iPhone and a Windows computer. He is set up to start training, and he wants to learn to use his iPhone and his computer so he can find a job. His iPhone comes with a screen reader called Voiceover which can be turned on by asking Siri "Hey Siri, turn on Voiceover". He then learns gestures to navigate his phone. As he swipes left or right, voiceover will navigate 1 by 1 through the items on the screen whether it's an app, message, Facebook post, or email. He can then interact with items as he would like. After gaining traction on the iPhone, he begins learning JAWS which is a screen reader for Windows. He learns how to navigate the computer with keystrokes. He is now able to write word documents, navigate websites, and send emails. He gains the ability to finish his last year of college and lands his first career job.
• Laura, 65 years old, low vision: Laura has been losing her vision gradually for a few years and she has been learning to adapt. Magnifiers are no longer helping her as much as they used to, and she is having trouble reading mail. We set her up with an electronic magnifier which not only allows for stronger magnification than the handheld magnifier, but it also allows for contrast and color options which allows the eye to respond in a positive way enabling her to read her mail. 5 years goes by, and the client can no longer read her mail even with the strongest magnifier possible. She is now switched to an auditory based device that has a camera which she can place her mail under, and it reads it back automatically. She can now pay her bills accordingly. 
• Paul, 18 years old, total vision loss: Paul is in his senior year of high school, he was born without vision. He has been using AT for the majority of his life. Paul has learned to use an iPad to navigate school sites and complete assignments. He has a Braille Display that his hooked up to his tablet via Bluetooth which allows him to follow along with assignments in the classroom while still remaining focused on the teacher. The Braille Display refreshes each time the student navigates to a new sentence while following along with the assignment. The student can then open Microsoft Word on his tablet using his Braille Display to write an essay due by the end of class. The student writes his essay using his braille display which converts it to text on the word document. The student completes his assignment and is able to upload it the teacher. Everything has been done with no help from others.

The answer depends on the technology, the use, and the user. Many kinds of AT may cost you little or nothing, even for some very expensive items. Some examples:

• School systems pay for general special education learning materials as well as technology specified in an IEP.
• Government programs (Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or state Medicaid agencies) pay for certain assistive technology if a doctor prescribes it as a necessary medical device.
• Private health insurance pays for certain assistive technology if a doctor prescribes it as a necessary medical or rehabilitative device.
• Rehabilitation and job training programs, whether funded by government or private agencies, may pay for assistive technology and training to help people get jobs.
• Employers may pay for assistive technology that is a reasonable accommodation to enable an employee to perform essential job tasks.

Other sources of funds in states or communities include private foundations, charities, and civic organizations. The ATIA’s Funding Resources Guide provides sources and resources to investigate as prospective options.

ATIA. “What Is AT?” Assistive Technology Industry Association, 11 Oct. 2015, www.atia.org/home/at-resources/what-is-at/.

‌

If you have made it this far, you are most likely looking for a solution for yourself, a family member, a friend, or someone you know that has vision loss. Let's get you the help that you're looking for, follow the button below to book a free consultation:

You can always reach out to us via our other contact methods. Follow the button below to reach out contact information: