According to IDEA (1997) and the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia, an AT device is defined as: “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.” Individuals new to assistive technology may often focus on the word technology and think the item needs electricity to classify as technology. Technology can be anything that improves upon an item to make it easier to use or produce.
Wait, that’s AT!?! (YouTube Video)
Assistive technology can be broken down into three categories; low, mid, and high tech. Low tech devices are “non-electronic devices or simple tools that can be used to help people with disabilities perform tasks.” Mid tech devices are “more advanced than low-tech tools but do not require a high level of technical expertise or significant investment to use.” High tech devices are “electronic devices or software applications designed to ease interaction with their environment for people with disabilities.”
For anyone interested in learning more about assistive technology, check out: http://atnetwork.ttaconline.org
Authorship Information
Sarah Finch is an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher for Sussex County Public Schools. This is her 9th year in education. Before her role as an ITRT, she taught high school history courses.
Sources
- Difference between high and low tech assistive technology. Top 5 Accessibility. (2024, April 29). https://top5accessibility.com/blog/difference-between-high-and-low-tech-assistive-technology/
- Low, mid and high-tech assistive technology: What’s the difference? NoodleNook.Net. (2023, January 12). https://www.noodlenook.net/assistive-technology-in-sped/
- Difference between high and low tech assistive technology. Top 5 Accessibility. (2024, April 29). https://top5accessibility.com/blog/difference-between-high-and-low-tech-assistive-technology/