Introduction to Assistive
Technology
An Overview of
Technology
Colorado Department of Education

Overview OF Assistive
Technology (AT) Devices
 I. Objectives
 A. Define assistive technology including the difference between low and high technology devices
 B. Identify low and high assistive technology devices for:
 1.
Communication
 2. Vision
 3. Hearing
 4. Learning/Cognition
 5. Motor/Access
 6. Ergonomics/Positioning

Assistive Technology (AT)
 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.
 “Public Law 100-407, the Technical Assistance to the States Act in the United States”

Definitions
 Low Technology - “Generally refers to simpler interventions, such as customdesigned hand tools; workstations modifications; and simple, easy to use, inexpensive devices” (Galvin &Scherer,
1996, P.316).

Low Tech Example
 Adapted Page Turners
 Clothespins
 Hair Ties
 Page Fluffers

Low Tech Example
PVC Pipe
Play Cube

Low Tech Example
Triwall Chair

Definitions
 High technology - “usually refers to complex electrical and electronic devices, such as computers, augmentativealternative communication boards, and environmental control systems” (Galvin &
Scherer, 1996, P.316).

High Tech Examples
Augmentative-Alternative Communication
(AAC) Devices

High Tech Example
Portable Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

High Tech Example
Electric Powered
Wheelchair

AT For Communication
 Both low and high tech devices are available for people with severely impaired speech as well as for people who are non-verbal.

AAC Low Tech
 Non-electronic devices with pictures and/or words. Typically made with pictures and symbols, either hand drawn or purchased commercially.

Example - AAC Low Tech
Homemade communication board
(Boardmaker
Symbols)

Example – AAC Low Tech
 Picture
Exchange
Communication
System (PECS)
 Pyramid
Educational
Consultants, Inc.

Example - AAC Low Tech
E-tran

Example - AAC Low Tech
Object Communication Board

Example - AAC Low Tech
Communication
Vest

Voice Output AAC Devices
 Digital devices use live voice recordings to store words, phrases and/or sentences.
 Synthetic devices are text-to-speech and require that words, phrases and/or sentences be typed directly into the device.

Example - AAC Low Tech
Big Mac - single message communicator
(digital speech)

Example - AAC Low Tech
LITTLEmack - (digital speech)

AAC High Tech
 Electronic devices usually with rechargeable battery
 Synthetic speech or the more sophisticated digital devices
 Large memory with ability to store several thousand words
 Ability to interface with computers and environmental control units
 Availability of various input methods

Example - AAC High Tech
Pathfinder and
Vanguard II

Example - AAC High Tech
Chat PC II
Saltillo Corporation

Example - AAC High Tech
DynaMyte - DynaVox
Systems

Example - AAC High Tech
LightWRITER
Toby Churchill (Zygo Industries)

Voice Amplification
Systems
 Voice amplification systems are used by people who have difficulty projecting their voice at a volume suitable for daily activities, used to compensate for reduced vocal output.

Example - Voice
Amplification
Voicette
By Luminaud

Example – Speech
Enhancer
 Speech enhancers - can analyze and reconstruct speech, using not only audible sounds but also inaudible elements of the voice that are too subtle for the human ear to decipher.

Example – Speech
Enhancer

Example - AAC High Tech
Software
Words +
Talking Screen and E Z Keys
DynaVox Systems
Word Power and Communicate
Mayer-Johnson, Inc.
Speaking Dynamically Pro

AT for Vision
 Definition of Visual Impairment technically encompasses all degrees of vision loss, including total blindness, that affect a person’s ability to perform the usual task of daily life.
(American Foundation for the Blind, 1990)

AT for Vision
 Low vision - a vision loss that is severe enough to impede performance of everyday tasks, but still allows some useful visual discrimination.
Cannot be corrected to normal by eyeglasses or contact lenses.
(American Foundation for the Blind, 1990)

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Optical Aids
Stand magnifiers

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Optical Aids
Hand-held magnifiers

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Nonoptical Aids - Daily living aids
Talking Alarm Clock and Watch

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Nonoptical Aids - Daily living aids
Writing Guides - Check and envelope

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Tactile Compass & Puzzle, Beeper Ball

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Large Print & Braille Cards

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Kitchen aids

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Kitchen aids
Braille & Large Print Timers

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Nonoptical Aids - Travel Aid
Canes

Example - Low Tech
Vision
Fill Indicator

Example – Low Tech
Vision
 Tactile
Schedules

Example - High Tech
Vision

 Open Book

Example - High Tech
Vision
 Freedom Scientific

Example - High Tech
Vision
CCTV

Example - High Tech
Vision
Braille ‘n Speak & Type ‘n Speak

Example - High Tech
Vision
 Screen Readers
JAWS for Windows
Freedom Scientific
 WindowEyes
Assistive Technology Solutions

Example - High Tech Vision
Braille Printer

Example - High Tech Vision
Screen Magnification
Zoom Text

Example – High Tech
Vision
 Kurzweil

Hearing Impairments
 Varying degrees of hearing loss, from mild to profound, impacts millions of
Americans. There is a wide range of
AT devices available.

Example - Low Tech -
Hearing Impairments
 American Sign Language

Example - Low Tech -
Hearing Impairments
 Telephone Amplifier

Example - High Tech -
Hearing Impairments
 Alerting Devices

Example - Low Tech -
Hearing Impairments

Example - Low Tech -
Hearing Impairments

Example - High Tech -
Hearing Impairments
 Hearing Aids

Example - High Tech -
Hearing Impairments
 TTY’s
 Text Telephones

Example - High Tech -
Hearing Impairments
 Cochlear Implants

Example - High Tech -
Hearing Impairments
 Closed Captioned Television

AT for Learning/Cognition
 Definition of Learning Disorders-
 Definition of Cognitive Impairment

Learning/Cognition
Impairments
 AlphaSmart 3000

Learning/Cognition
High Tech Solution

Example – High Tech
Learning/Cognition
 Kurzweil

Learning/Cognition
Impairments

AT for Motor/Access
 Definition of Motor Impairments-

Motor/Access

Motor/Access

Motor/Access

Motor/Access

Motor/Access

Motor/Access

Motor/Access

Motor/Access

Motor/Access

Motor/Access

AT for
Ergonomics/Positioning
Rationale/Description of…

Ergonomics/Positioning
 Positioning

Ergonomics/Positioning
 Positioning
 PVC Chair

Advantages and
Disadvantages of AT
 Advantages
 access
 independence
 life enhancement
 savings
 Disadvantages
 training
 cost
 physical restrictions
 training time

Summary At Overview
 I. Objectives
 A. Define assistive technology including the difference between no, low, and high technology devices, hard verses soft, and minimal to maximal technology
 B. Identify low and high assistive technology devices for:
 1. Communication
 2. Vision
 3. Hearing
 4. Learning/Cognition
 5. Motor/Access
 6. Ergonomics/Positioning

Resources
Insert contact information for your
SWAAAC team here.
The link to the SWAAAC website https://www2.uchsc.edu/swaaac/