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Assistive technology (AT) is defined by the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
Examples include:
- Hearing aids
- Ramps that help people get in and around buildings more easily
- Wheelchairs
- Computer modifications to increase accessibility
- Electronic devices that make communication possible
- Equipment on the job that has been modified or customized
- Remote control devices that turn appliances, computers, lights, radio, etc. on and off o Magnifiers, talking books, closed circuit television, Braille note-taking computer
Assistive technology also includes assistive technology services, which means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an AT device.
This fact sheet explains which federal laws affect users of assistive technology, and some of the most common myths around assistive technology. Read the fact sheet to learn more.
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