What is Assistive Technology?
A Basic Guide for Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families
Third edition, ©2004
By Sharon Hauss, Family Support Specialist
As a parent of a child with severe physical challenges, I would like to encourage individuals with disabilities and their families to never give up. We are living in a "technology age," so there is always hope that some new device or piece of equipment will be designed to make our daily lives a little easier.
Assistive technology is a term that is now being applied to the equipment or devices that individuals with disabilities have been using for quite some time, e.g., wheelchairs, walkers, ramps, communication boards, etc., It should also be noted that assistive technology and services are defined in federal legislation.
Being knowledgeable about assistive technology devices and services is not always enough. Individuals with disabilities and their families need to be familiar with the laws, both state and federal, in order to get the equipment and services that they need. Whether or not an individual gets a piece of equipment (for example, a communication device purchased by the school) depends not only on how the Individualized Education Plan was written, but also on families' knowledge that laws do exist to support education and the use of assistive technology to access that education.
I have tried to provide the appropriate assistive technology for my son during the past 21 years. It has not always been an easy task, especially when my son was very young, and I did not have information at my fingertips! Many times I just had a feeling to go on - an instinct, not knowing if I was making a good choice or not. It has been my experience that appropriate assistive technology can make the difference between:
1) general education placement verses special education placement;
2) being a participant or "doer" versus an observer on the sidelines; and
3) becoming an independent, productive member of society versus a dependent, unemployed member of society.
Since my son depends on many pieces of assistive technology (a power wheelchair, an electronic communication device, computers, software, a bath chair, and a chair lift in the van, to name a few) to get through each day of his life, and that I am fortunate enough to work at a University Center for Excellence on Disabilities, the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, I would like to share some of my knowledge and experiences with you as others have done for me in the past.
The following pages are primarily an introduction to assistive technology - what it is, what it can do, where to find it, possible funding strategies, and the laws and regulations supporting assistive technology. Many of the ideas and examples in this guide come from personal experience.
Assistive Technology is defined in the Technology-Related Assistance Act (Tech Act) as "any item piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities" (Tech Act, 1988). Assistive technology can be made at home and designed specifically for an individual, purchased in a local store, or ordered out of a catalog that is targeted toward people with disabilities and their families. Technology can be high tech or low tech. Examples of low tech are ramps, switches, switch-operated toys, communication boards, car door openers, dycem (non-skid material), reachers, roll-in showers, and velcro. Some high tech examples include computers, software, extended keyboards, electronic communication devices, power wheelchairs, and van lifts for wheelchairs.
Assistive technology will not make the disability go away; it can only lessen the impact of the disability (Moore, 1991). Hopefully assistive technology will increase independence and improve an individual's outlook on life. Assistive technology can help students access their education, as well as enable adults to secure a job. Individuals with disabilities can become an integral part or their community - from education to leisure activities to work - with the appropriate technology.
However, assistive technology is not without its problems or barriers. Many times the devices that are needed are very expensive and resources are not readily available; or the equipment is purchased and no training or support system is in place to show the individual how to use it effectively; or the device simply breaks down and needs to be repaired (Moore, 1991).
Since assistive technology can be very expensive, here are some considerations to think about before purchasing an assistive device:
Computers have become an important part of many people's lives, and they can be particularly beneficial for persons with disabilities. Computer systems and the adaptations that are available can give an individual with a disability greater independence in their home, as well as help that individual succeed in school and in the work force (The Alliance for Technology Access, 1994).
There are many ways to access a computer (you do not necessarily need the use of both hands), including switches, enlarged or extended keyboards, touch screens, voice activation, braille keyboarding, keyguards, and different types of "mice"-just to name a few (Church and Glennon, 1992; The Alliance for Technology Access, 1994). The type of personal computer chosen should depend on the user's preferences. The computer platform or environment, i.e. Macintosh, IBM or compatible, can be adapted or modified to the user's needs.
Macintosh computers and any "PC" (personal computer) that use Windows 95 (or newer) will have accessibility features built into the control panel. For Windows users it is called "Accessibility Options" and for Mac users "Easy Access". If your PC does not have Windows 95 or newer, there is a piece of software available, AccessDOS, that is comparable. The accessibility features include such things as mouse keys, sticky keys and repeat keys. Mouse keys change the number pad into mouse keys, if an individual cannot use the mouse; sticky keys allow the computer user to depress one key at a time, for instance when making a capital letter; and repeat keys modify the rate at which the key would repeat itself if the key were depressed for a period of time.
There are many types of software or programs on the market now-some are better than others. Again, personal choice or preference of the individual with disabilities should be taken into consideration. The software programs can be on 3.5" disks (a hard disk) or a CD (compact disk). New CDs are usually compatible with either Mac or PC. (Before purchasing any software, disk or CD, make sure it is compatible with your computer.) The programs can be in game format or like a textbook. Software can be purchased locally in stores, ordered out of catalogs or the internet. Whole sets of encyclopedias, atlases and dictionaries are available. Software can have sound including music or speech that reads what is written. Educational software can include language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, etc. There are typing programs as well as programs designed to help prepare you for tests, like the SATs. Programs are available to help teach reading to children and adults. There are word processing programs that will read aloud what you have written and word prediction programs. Software can also be recreational, help with communication, vocational needs and/or environmental control (Church and Glennon, 1991).
There are many ways to access a computer if an individual is unable to access it in a typical way, due to physical, visual and/or other impairments. The following is a list of computer access examples to help give you an idea of the many adaptations that are available for computers. It is by no means a complete list. The important thing to remember is that almost everyone can use computers, using some sort of modification.
Touch windows
Mouse alternatives: Trackball, Trackpad, Mouse keys, Joystick mouse
Switch Input, like Ke:nx
Switches (plate, button, sip and puff, etc.)
Keyguard
Alternate keyboards, including miniature and/or enlarged, programmable (like Intellikeys), and on-screen keyboards
Overlays
Key labels
Braille input and output
Voice recognition or input and output
Scanner
Electronic pointing devices
The following is a list of resources for computer access and software:
Able Net Inc. (also have switches, control units, etc.)
1081 10th Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
800-322-0956
www.ablenetinc.com
Apple Computer, Inc.
1 Infinite Loop, MS 38-3CE
Cupertino, CA 95014
800-795-1000
www.info.apple.com
Broderbund Software for Education
500 Rosewood Blvd.
Novato, CA 94948
800-521-6263
www.broderbund.com
Compass Learning (educational software)
9920 Pacific Heights Blvd., Suite 500
San Diego, CA 92121
800-247-1380
www.compasslearning.com
Don Johnston (educational software and input devices)
26799 W. Commerce Dr.
Volo, IL 60073
800-999-4660
www.donjohnston.com
IBM Accessibility Center
11400 Burnet Road
Austin, Texas 78758
800-426-4832
http://www-306.ibm.com/able/index.html
Laureate Special Needs Software
110 East Spring St.
Winooski, VT 05404-1898
800-562-6801
www.LaureateLearning.com
Sunburst Technology (educational software)
1550 Executive Dr.
Elgin, IL 60123
800-321-7511
www.sunburst.com
Tom Snyder Productions
80 Coolidge Hill Rd.
Watertown, MA 02472-5003
800-342-0236
www.tomsnyder.com
Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC)
Augmentative communication includes all communication that supplements or augments speech (Indiana Augmentative and Alternative Communication Consortium, 1988). This can include sign language, gestures, communication boards, and electronic devices (Indiana Augmentative and Alternative Communication Consortium, 1988). Electronic communication devices are considered high tech. As you might expect, there are many types of electronic communication devices on the market. Some have voice output, either digitized or synthesized, while others do not (Church and Glennon, 1992). Digitized speech sounds more like a tape recording of a voice and synthesized speech is mechanical sounding, like a robot. The cost of these vary from $150.00 to $10,000.00, as does the quality and capability.
Some things to keep in mind before an augmentative communication device is purchased include:
Communication or picture boards should not be overlooked as a means of communicating. Communication boards are low tech devices, and many times are the beginning of one's communication. Communication boards can be very simple, ranging from two or three pictures, to complex, consisting of pages of pictures allowing the user to form complete sentences. Making a communication board can be very time-consuming, but there is a software program that is now available called "Boardmaker," (available for Macs and PCs) that makes this job a little easier.
The author's son, Michael, started using a "two picture" communication board at about 18 months of age. By age five years, his communication board had become a "book," consisting of several pages. From there he went with an electronic device, the Touch Talker by Prentke Romich, at age 6 1/2. Prentke Romich has since replaced the Touch Talker with the production of the Delta Talker. As a young adult, Michael is using the Pathfinder by Prentke Romich.
It has been mentioned many times over the past 16 years, by speech language pathologists who have worked with Michael, that using augmentative/alternative communication would not discourage him from using his own voice. This seems to be true in his case, as Michael works very hard to use his own voice, along with his communication device.
The augmentative communication devices listed below are just a few of the many augmentative devices on the market. These examples will at least help to familiarize you with the names of some devices and the companies which manufacture them.
Alpha Talker, by Prentke Romich
Canon Communicator, by Canon USA
Delta Talker, by Prentke Romich
Dynavox, by Sentient Systems Technology, Inc.
Liberator, by Prentke Romich
Lightwriters, by Zygo Industries
Macaw, by Zygo Industries
Speak Easy, by Able Net Inc.
Companies or vendors to contact for catalogs and information on their augmentative communication devices include:
Able Net Inc. (also have switches, control units, etc.)Communication Aid Manufacturers Association
(CAMA represents several companies)
205 W. Randolph St., Ste. 1830
Chicago, IL 60606
800-441-2262
www.aacproducts.org
Crestwood Co.
6625 N. Sidney Place
Milwaukee, WI 53209-3259
414-352-5678
www.communicationaids.com
Dynavox System, Inc.
2100 Wharton St.,Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
800-344-1778
www.sentient-sys.com
Franklin Electronics Publishers
1 Franklin Plaza
Burlington, NJ 08016-4907
800-266-5626
www.franklin.com
Gary Hibbeln (vendor)
1304 Everett Ave., #6
Louisville, KY 40204
502-458-5715
www.hibbeln.com
Mayer-Johnson Co.
PO Box 1579
Solano Beach, CA 92075-7579
800-588-4548
www.mayer-johnson.com
Phonic Ear, Inc.
3880 Cypress Dr.
Petaluma, CA 94954
800-227-0735
www.phonicear.com
Prentke Romich
1022 Heyl Rd.
Wooster, OH 44691-9744
800-262-1984
www.prentrom.com
Vision Aid Systems, Inc. (vendor)
PO Box 1369
Greenwood, IN 46142
800-765-7483
www.visionaidsystems.com
Words +
1220 W. Ave. J
Lancaster, CA 93534-2902
800-869-8521
www.words-plus.com
Zygo Industries, Inc.
PO Box 1008
Portland, OR 97207-1008
800-234-6006
www.zygo-usa.com
Other Resources
A federally funded project, ABLEDATA, is a great database on assistive and rehabilitative technologies. "The ABLEDATA database contains information on more than 25,000 assistive technology products (17,000 of which are currently available), from white canes to voice output programs. The database contains detailed descriptions of each product including price and company information. The database also contains information on non-commercial prototypes, customized and one-of-a-kind products, and do-it-yourself designs" (ABLEDATA, 2000).
ABLEDATAThere are numerous types of high tech assistive technology devices that have not been mentioned, but that might be of interest. The following list of resources will hopefully be of benefit to you:
Accessibility Products, Inc. (door opener)Attainment Co.
PO Box 930160
Verona, WI 53593-0160
800-327-4269
www.attainmentcompany.com
Automated Door Entrances, Inc. (door opener)
Stanley Magic Access
PO Box 18617
Indianapolis, IN 46218
800-899-4690
Blazie Engineering (Braille printers)
11800 31st Ct. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
800-444-4443
www.blazie.com
Daedalus Technologies, Inc. (adaptable furniture and mounting devices)
2491 Vauxhall Pl.
Richmond, BC V6V 1Z5
Canada
604-270-4605
www.daessy.com
Du-It Control Systems(environmental controls/computer access)
8765 TR 513
Shreve, OH 44676
330-567-2001
Everest and Jennings (wheelchairs)
Graham Field Health Products
2935 Northeast Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30360
800-726-0601
www.everestjennings.com
Invacare Corp.
One Invacare Way
Elyria, OH 44036
800-333-6900
www.invacare.com
Low tech devices usually do not include the sophisticated electronics that high tech devices do. Low tech devices cover a wide range of daily living aids--from battery operated toys, to eating aids, to mobility aids, to mounting and positioning devices, to recreation, and leisure aids (Meadows, 1993). It has been the author's experience that high tech devices are not always the solution; low tech devices are usually easier to find and hopefully less expensive. Sometimes, designing and making it yourself is the best solution.
The following is a list of resources that can be contacted for further information on products that are available. Again, these are by no means the only resources, but they will give you some idea of what is available. Also many companies offer high and low tech devices, so a company may be listed under high tech, when in fact they have low tech equipment as well, and vice versa.
Abilitations SportimeCleo, Inc. (physical and occupational therapy products)
PO Box 1076
White Plains, NY 10602
800-321-0595
Enrichments
PO Box 5071
Boling Brooke, IL 60440
800-323-5547
Flaghouse
601 Flaghouse Dr.
Hasbrouck, NJ 07604
800-793-7922
www.flaghouse.com
Invacare Continuing Care Group (home health care/wheel-in showers/lifts)
1644 Lotsie Blvd.
Overland, MO 63132
800-347-5440
www.invacare-ccg.com
Kapable Kids (toys and educational materials)
PO Box 250
Bohemia, NY 11716
800-356-1564
LS&S Group (vision impaired)
PO Box 673
Northbrook, IL 60065
800-468-4789
www.lssgroup.com
Maxi Aids (hearing/vision impaired, physically challenged)
42 Executive Blvd.
PO Box 3209
Farmingdale, NY 11735
800-522-6294
www.maxiaids.com
S&S Worldwide
75 Mill St.
PO Box 515
Colcherster, CT 06415-0515
800-266-8856
http://www.ssww.com/store/browse/grp=HCR
Toys for Special Children
385 Warburton Ave.
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
800-832-8697
www.enablingdevices.com
Many times funding becomes an issue as to whether an assistive device becomes a reality or remains a dream. Funding can be a major barrier to the acquisition of assistive technology--the very technology that can mean the difference between independent and dependent, communication and no communication, education in a regular classroom and in a special education classroom, or inclusion and seclusion.
Funding can be a barrier, but it can also be a challenge! The funding strategies that the author has found useful include:
Further Reading
Technology changes almost daily, and it is difficult to keep current. The following publications are very informative, helpful, and easy to understand:
Exceptional ParentNew Mobility
No Limits Communications Inc.
P.O. Box 220
Horsham, PA 19044
215-675-9133
www.newmobility.com
Teaching Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children
1110 N. Glebe Rd., Ste. 300
Reston, VA 22201-5704
703-620-3660
888-CEC-SPED
www.cec.sped.org/bk/abtec.html
Technology and Learning
PO Box 5052
Vandalia, OH 45377
800-607-4410
www.techlearning.com/index.html
Accessing Technology Through Action in Indiana (ATTAIN) Project
32 E. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-486-8808
800-5-ATTAIN
www.attaininc.org
Accessibility Products, Inc.
4855 S. Emerson Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46203
800-366-1147 (in Indiana)
317-784-2255 (other areas)
www.accesstoday.com
ATTIC
1721 Washington Ave.
Vincennes, IN 47591
800-962-8842
www.theattic.org
Crossroads Rehabilitation Center
4740 Kingsway Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46205
317-466-1000
Evansville Rehab Center
Becky Taggert
3701 Bellemeade Ave.
Evansville, IN 47714
812-479-1411
Hamilton Assistive Technology
8682 Hillsdale Ct.
Indianapolis, IN 46250
317-845-3408
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
2853 E. 10tht.
Bloomington, IN 47408-2696
812-855-6508
www.iidc.indiana.edu
The League for the Blind and Disabled
5821 S. Anthony Blvd.
Ft. Wayne, IN 46816
800-889-3443
www.the-league.org
Memorial Regional Rehabilitation Center
615 N. Michigan St.
South Bend, IN 46601
574-234-9041
www.qualityoflife.org/rehab/rehab.htm
Four laws are relevant when addressing the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities in Indiana. However, there are at least ten laws and regulations (federal and state) which directly affect persons with disabilities. The four laws to be familiar with are: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Article 7 (Rules and Regulations for Special Education in Indiana).
Briefly, the intent of ADA is to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Five main areas, called titles, are addressed. They are: Title I-employment, Title II-government agencies, Title III-public accommodations (businesses), Title IV-telecommunications, and Title V-miscellaneous. IDEA ensures that all children receive a "free appropriate public education," including related services to meet their unique needs. Section 504 deals with "reasonable accommodations" for accessibility in employment and secondary education (Summary of Existing Legislation Affecting People with Disabilities, 1992). Article 7 is Indiana's special education rules and regulations.
The following is a list of the laws and regulations that could be helpful to you:
ADA-Americans with Disabilities ActArticle 7
Rules and Regulations for Special Education in Indiana
Indiana Dept. of Education
317-232-0570
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
(P.L. 100-146)
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
(P.L. 100-297)
Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act Title VI
(P.L. 99-643)
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(P.L. 101-236)
(P.L. 101-476 formerly 94-142)
United States Dept. of Education
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20202
202-205-5507
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/contact.html
Section 504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(P.L. 93-112)
Federal Register
U.S. Dept. of Education
Washington, DC 20202
www.ed.gov/news/fedregister/index.html
Social Security Act Title 20
Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled
(P.L. 101-508)
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (referred to as "Tech Act")
(P.L. 100-407)
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendments for 1994
(P.L. 103-218)
ABLEDATA (21 March, 2000). What is ABLEDATA? [On-line]. Available: http://www.abledata.com/Site_2/project.htm.
The Alliance for Technology Access. (1994). Computer Resources for People with Disabilities: A Guide to Exploring Today's Assistive Technology. Alameda, CA: Hunter House.
Church, G. and Glennen, S. (1992). The Handbook of Assistive Technology. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group, Inc.
Indiana Augmentative and Alternative Communication Consortium (1988). Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Indiana [brochure]. West Lafayette, IN: B. Vicker and D. Williams.
Lewis, R. B. (1993). Special Education Technology. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
Meadows, J. E. (1993). Accommodation, Accessibility, and Assistive Technology: A Guide Book for Empowering Persons with Disabilities. Terre Haute, IN: Blumberg Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Special Education.
Moore, J. (1991, October/November). Technology is Not Magic. Exceptional Parent, p. 60-62.
Parette, H. P., Hourcade, J. J., & VanBiervliet, A. (1993, Spring). Selection of Appropriate Technology for Children with Disabilities. Teaching Exceptional Children, p. 18-22.
Phillips, B. (1992, March/April). Technology Abandonment. RESNA News, p. 1.
Summary of Existing Legislation Affecting People with Disabilities. (1992). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988, 29 U.S.C. § 2202 (West, 1988).
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