Assistive Technology (AT) is any item or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life, including at school, at work, at home and in the community. Assistive Technology ranges on a continuum from low tech to high tech devices or equipment.

Low tech AT are devices or equipment that don’t require much training, may be less expensive and do not have complex or mechanical features. For example:

• handheld magnifiers
• large print text
• using paper and pen to communicate
• canes or walkers
• using color coding
• specialized / ergonomic pen or pencil grips and much more

AT devices or equipment that range in the middle of the continuum may have some complex features, may be electronic or battery operated, may require some training to learn how to use and are more expensive than the low-tech devices. Some examples include

• talking spell checkers or calculators
• manual wheelchairs
• digital calendars or To Do lists (i.e.: apps)
• voice amplifiers
• alternate mouse or keyboard for the computer
• larger computer monitors
• audio books or text to speech software
• remote controls for your environment/ smart home technology
• fitness bands / wearables
• digital assistant and much more

High tech AT refers to the most complex devices or equipment, that have digital or electronic components, may be computerized, will likely require training and effort to learn how to use and cost the most. Examples include:

• power wheelchairs or scooters
• prosthetic devices
• digital hearing aids
• computers with specialized software such as voice recognition, magnification software or screen readers
• electronic aids to daily living
• smartphones with voice activation
• communication devices with voice output
• tablets
• smart watches
• smart home technology