What is Assistive Technology?

The term assistive technology includes all kinds of low-tech to high-tech devices and environmental modifications that can help an individual interact with the people and features of their environment.

Here are some common and not so common examples:

• eyeglasses
• hearing aids
• reach extenders
• wheelchairs
• automatic jar openers
• communication devices
• picture-based reminder systems
• oversized utensil grips
• voice controlled computers
• “smart home” systems
• switches to control games, lights, or appliances

You may be more familiar with some of these than with others, and there are many, many more. But all of us will need assistive technology of some kind at some point in our lives and in the lives of those we know.