Assistive Technology Basic Concepts

As with any other concept, when developing a framework for understanding AT, it is important to understand the terminology used in the field.  Interestingly, professional literature uses the terms Assistive Technology, Assistive Technology Device, Assistive Technology Service, and Assistive Technology System interchangeably even though they all have slightly different meanings. The most common (and widely accepted) occurrence of this is the use of the term assistive technology  when actually referring to an assistive technology device. The following are terms most commonly used when referring to AT.

• Assistive Technology - a broad range of devices, services, strategies, and practices that are conceived and applied to ameliorate the problems faced by people with disabilities (Cook & Hussey, 2002).

• Assistive Technology Device - any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified or customized, that increases, maintains, or improves functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities (Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988, U.S. Congress, 1988).

• Assistive Technology Service - any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device (Cook & Hussey, 2002).

• Assistive Technology System - an assistive technology device, a human operator who has a disability, and a context in which the functional activity is to be carried out (Cook & Hussey, 2002).

When discussing assistive technology, sometimes the terms hard or soft technologies will be used. Hard technologies refer to actual pieces of technology whereas soft technologies refer to human processes. These technologies are defined as follows:

• Hard Technologies - those readily available components or devices that can be acquired and assembled as assistive technology. Examples include a pencil grip, a computer, a cane (Cook & Hussey, 2002).

• Soft Technologies - the human processes of decision making, training, concept formation, and strategies Without these soft technologies hard technologies are difficult or impossible to operate (Cook & Hussey, 2002).

Purchasing new equipment is not always the best solution to a problem for a person with a disability. Often something the person already has can be modified to work properly for that person. This is called adapting a piece of equipment. There are two types of adaptations, remedial and compensatory adaptations. These are defined as follows.

• Adaptations - modifications that are made so that a task can be accomplished by an individual who does not have the required abilities needed to perform such task (Bryant & Bryant, 2003).

• Remedial Adaptations – techniques that attempt to correct a problem after other techniques have proven to be ineffective.

• Compensatory Adaptations – techniques that attempt to circumvent a problem and offer a solution to enhance access (Rivera & Smith, 1997).

Throughout much of the legislation discussed in this module, a few concepts continually recur, namely Qualified Individual with a Disability and Reasonable Accommodation. In order to understand components of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and many others discussed throughout this course, it is important to have a good working knowledge of these terms.

• Qualified Individual with a Disability - an individual with a disability who meets the essential eligibility requirements to be considered for an employment position, or for participation in a public program or activity (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990).

• Reasonable Accommodation - adjustments, modifications, provision of services, and equipment necessary to enable an individual with a disability to enjoy equal opportunities in employment. The term is routinely used to include accommodations needed under other circumstances such as those administering public programs or providing private service (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990).

The AT field is unique in that it requires a combination of technical knowledge as well as knowledge of anatomy, disabilities, and rehabilitation practices. This has led to a creation of a branch of the field of engineering dedicated to AT products. This branch is known as rehabilitation engineering and is defined as follows.

• Rehabilitation Engineering - the systematic application of technologies, engineering methodologies, or scientific principles to meet the need of and address the barriers confronted by people with disabilities in areas which include education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, independent living, and recreation (Maki & Riggar, 1997).

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