What is Assistive Technology?

     Assistive technology is technology that assists you in some way. If you have a disability and may need help with a number of things or an easier to open the door or a more comprehensive solution, assistive technology can help.  

Examples of low technology are walking canes, binder clips to assist with reading, for sensory purposes a fidget or stress ball, if you want to communicate the student can write words down. For kids who have difficulty seeing papers with larger fonts will allow the child to be more engaged in the classroom. Low assistive technology is technology that doesn't require training or electronics. Other examples of low assistive technology are pencil grips, adapted pencils, and using colored highlighters to organize the classwork.  

   


Medium technology is technology that is simple to use. It is in between low- and high-tech devices. It may be battery operated and use simple electronics. Examples of medium technology includes electrical devices, screen magnifier, audio book, cd/music player, electric speller/dictionary, wheelchair, scooter, voice amplification, gait trainer, and a bunch more. As technology continues to improve, less and less mid technology devices are used in the classrooms.  


    

The last type of technology type is high technology. High tech is a technology we consider to be the highest form of assistive technology and requires training and practice to use. It is also the most expensive. Some examples of high assistive technology are the computer, electric tablet like an iPad, Samsung tablet, etc., electric wheelchair, portable word processors, text to speech, speech to text, AAC devices, smart board, and alerting devices.   

  


Assistive technology plays an essential role in the IEP process because it more accessible ways to make education easier, improves their communication skills, and has ways to entertain the special needs children as well. By reducing the reliance on care, it can return greater independence, increase security, improving the social network, delivers a peace of mind and improves the quality of life. 

    


References: 

AssistivetechRSL. (2013). YouTube. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://youtu.be/SIm2MuJUCTE.

Lightner, L., & Carol. (2022, January 5). Low tech assistive technology: Examples: Communication: Ideas: Reading and writing. A Day in our Shoes. Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://adayinourshoes.com/low-tech-assistive-technology/#:~:text=Examples%20include%3A%201%20walking%20canes%202%20binder%20clips,and%20using%20colored%20highlighters%20to%20better%20organize%20information.

Low tech, Mid Tech and High Tech Assisstive Technology " autism adventures. Autism Adventures. (2019, May 1). Retrieved January 22, 2023, from https://www.autismadventures.com/low-tech-mid-tech-and-high-tech/








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