Types of Assistive Technology Devices
There are several ways to categorize AT devices, but each list contains some common elements.
Categories of Assistive Technology
- Aids for Daily Living: Self help aids for use in activities such as eating, bathing, cooking, dressing, toileting, home maintenance, etc.
- Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC):Electronic and non-electronic devices that provide a means for expressive and receptive communication for persons with limited or no speech.
- Computer Access: Input and output devices (voice, Braille), alternate access aids (headsticks, light pointers), modified or alternate keyboards, switches, special software, etc. that enable persons with disabilities to use a computer. This category includes speech recognition software.
- Environmental Control Systems: Primarily electronic systems that enable someone with limited mobility to control various appliances, electronic aids, security systems, etc. in their room, home or other surroundings.
- Home/Worksite Modifications: Structural adaptations, fabrications in the home, worksite or other area (ramps, lifts, bathroom changes) that remove or reduce physical barriers for an individual with a disability.
- Prosthetics and Orthotics: Replacement, substitution or augmentation of missing or malfunctioning body parts with artificial limbs or other orthotic aids (splints, braces, etc.). There are also prosthetics to assist with cognitive limitations or deficits, including audio tapes or pagers (that function as prompts or reminders).
- Seating and Positioning: Accommodations to a wheelchair or other seating system to provide greater body stability, trunk/head support and an upright posture, and reduction of pressure on the skin surface (cushions, contour seats, lumbar).
- Service Animals: The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a service animal as any guide dog (for visually impaired and blind individuals), signal dog (for hearing impaired or Deaf individuals), or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. [Information in "( )" added.] - Frequently asked questions about service animals in places of business.
- Aids for Vision Impaired: Aids for specific populations including magnifiers, Braille or speech output devices, large print screens, closed circuit television for magnifying documents, etc.
- Aids for Hearing Impaired: Aids for specific populations including assistive listening devices (infrared, FM loop systems), hearing aids, TTYs, visual and tactile alerting systems, etc.
- Wheelchairs/Mobility Aids: Manual and electric wheelchairs, mobile bases for custom chairs, walkers, three-wheel scooters and other utility vehicles for increasing personal mobility.
- Vehicle Modifications: Adaptive driving aids, hand controls, wheelchair and other lifts, modified vans, or other motor vehicles used for personal transportation.
Categories can also be explained through Primary Use of Assistive Technology while others define AT by Access vs. Adaptive Technologies.
As you can see, there really is not a common understanding of the categories.
To summarize what we learned. AT is:
- A device or a set of devices
- A set of corresponding services (very important to remember that AT alone is often ineffective without the services)
- A variety of devices that assist a person with a disability to overcome the effects of their disability or to maintain a functional capabilities
- Come in a variety of types/categories.
- Designed to perform a specific function but can be used for other activities.
- Not able to do everything for a person with a disability
- Often not expensive.