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Definitions—Assistive Technology (AT)

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  • Assistive technology*

 "Technology designed to be utilized in an assistive technology device or assistive technology service"

  • Assistive technology device*

 "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"

  • Assistive technology service*

    • Types of services can include

"Any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive device"

  • Evaluation of needs/functional impact of AT

  • Purchasing, leasing, acquiring a device

  • Selecting, designing, adapting, fitting, repairing, replacing a device

  • Training and technical assistance

  • Individual with a disability*

    • Functional categories

"Any individual of any age, race, or ethnicity who (i) has a disability; and (ii) who is or would be enabled by an assistive technology device or an assistive technology service to minimize deterioration in functioning, to maintain a level of functioning, or to achieve a greater level of functioning in any major life activity"

  • Personal care and management for work, education, recreation, home/family, community

  • Sitting and mobility for work, education, recreation, home/family, community

  • Transportation for work, education, recreation, home/family, community

  • Communication for work, education, recreation, home/family, community

*Definitions from the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. http://www.nifl.gov/linc/collections/policy/ata.txt

Definitions—Assistive Technology (AT)

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  • "No-tech" device

 Typically refers to a device that is not powered electronically, is simple in design and use, and may require little to no training

  • "Low-tech" device

 Typically refers to a device that requires computer hardware or software for use, usually of higher cost, and requires training

  • "High-tech" device

 Typically refers to a device that requires computer hardware or software for use, usually of higher cost, and requires training

  • Universal design

 "A concept or philosophy for designing and delivering products and services that are usable by people with the widest possible range of functional capabilities, which include products and services that are directly accessible (without requiring assistive technologies) and products and services that are interoperable with assistive technologies"

AT Evaluation Schemes: SETT framework—Student, Environment, Task, Tools

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Available online: http://sweb.uky.edu/~jszaba0/SETT2.html

  • Student

 What does the student need to do? What are the student's special needs and current abilities?

  • Environment

 What are the instructional and physical arrangements? Are there special concerns? What materials and equipment are currently available in the environments? What supports are available to the student and the people working with the student on a daily basis? How are the attitudes and expectations of the people in the environment likely to affect the student's performance?

  • Task

 What activities occur in the student's natural environments that enable progress toward mastery of identified goals? What is everyone else doing? What are the critical elements of the activities? ...

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