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Assistive Technology (AT) is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT promotes greater independence for people with disabilities by enabling them to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. According to disability advocates, technology, all too often, is created without regard to people with disabilities, and unnecessary barriers make new technology inaccessible to hundreds of millions.
Universal (or broadened) accessibility, or universal design means excellent usability, particularly for people with disabilities. But, argue advocates of assistive technology, universally accessible technology yields great rewards to the typical user; good accessible design is universal design, they say. The classic example of an assistive technology that has improved everyone's life is the "curb cuts" in the sidewalk at street crossings. While these curb cuts surely enable pedestrians with mobility impairments to cross the street, they have also aided parents with carriages and strollers, shoppers with carts, and travellers and workers with pull-type bags, not to mention skateboarders and inline skaters.
Consider an example of an assistive technology. The modern telephone is not accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Combined with a text telephone (also known as a TDD Device for the Deaf and in the USA generally called a TTY*), which converts typed characters into tones that may be sent over the telephone line, the deaf person is able to communicate immediately at a distance. Together with "relay" services (where an operator reads what the deaf person types and types what a hearing person says) the deaf person is then given access to everyone's telephone, not just those of people who possess text telephones. Many telephones now have volume controls, which are primarily intended for the benefit of people who are hard of hearing, but can be useful for all users at times and places where there is significant background noise.
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Assistive Technology :: Disability
White House Red-Faced Over Berlusconi Gaffe
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:00 -0400
The White House has apologized for a biography of Silvio Berlusconi that calls the Italian leader "one of the most controversial leaders in the history of a country known for government corruption and vice." The bio was distributed at the G-8 summit.
Mccain, Obama Court Hispanics
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:24:00 -0400
Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama address the League of United Latin American Citizens. Democrats aim to increase Hispanic turnout, while Republicans hope to build on the inroads George W. Bush made among Hispanic voters in 2004.
Housing Bill Moves Slowly Through Congress
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0400
The housing bill is inching forward though Congress with bipartisan support, while Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign tries to attach a package of energy tax breaks. The tax breaks also have bipartisan support, but only if their cost is offset.
The Talk of the Town
The Chill
Nick Paumgarten Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0000
If you had stumbled into Banjo Jim’s, in the East Village, on a recent Wednesday night and encountered a sixty-something guy leading a band through a fervent rendition of “Wild Thing,” for an audience of two dozen or so, you might have concluded, “This is lame,” and slipped back . . .
Oily Speculations
James Surowiecki Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0000
When bad things happen, it’s always nice to have a scapegoat. So, with Americans furious about soaring oil prices, Congress has gone in search of someone to blame. There are a number of usual suspects to choose from, depending on your politics--OPEC, greedy oil companies, lily-livered environmentalists opposed . . .
Obama’s Iraq Problem
George Packer Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0000
In February, 2007, when Barack Obama declared that he was running for President, violence in Iraq had reached apocalyptic levels, and he based his candidacy, in part, on a bold promise to begin a rapid withdrawal of American forces upon taking office. At the time, this pledge represented conventional thinking . . .
Access-Able - Offers comprehensive information about making the home environment handicap accessible.
Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, The - Provides education, services and research information about adaptive technologies by the University of Toronto.
Meta Description: [ ATRC Adaptive Technology Resource Center at the University of Toronto ]
Alliance for Technology Access - A network of community-based Resource Centers, Developers and Vendors, Affiliates, and Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies.
Meta Description: [ The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is a network of community-based Centers, Vendors, and Professionals dedicated to providing assistive technology, augmentative communication, environmental control, accessiblity software and other technology access information and support to persons with di... ]
Assistive Technology Educational Network - Enhances student outcomes through information, training, and technical support in the area of assistive technology.
Assistive Technology Industry Association - Association of manufacturers and vendors selling technology-based assistive devices for people with disabilities, or providing services associated with or required by people with disabilities.
Assistive Technology Online Community - Information, news, resources, events, discussion forum about Assistive Technology for children and adults with disabilities and special needs. Free membership.
Meta Description: [ Resources for finding assistive technology information, products and services to help children and adults with disabilities and special needs. Do you have a disability and need assistive solutions to make your life easier? Join Today! ]
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe - Stimulates the advancement of assistive technology for the benefit of persons with disabilities, including elderly people.
AT Network - An organization dedicated to expanding the accessibility of tools, resources and technology to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) - Centre for studying non-verbal, non-written communication at the University of Stirling. Describes research, lists practical projects and recent publications, and provides an overview of training services. Also links to other UK groups working with people with communication impairments.
Meta Description: [ AAC Research Unit at the University of Stirling, studying communication of people with impaired speech and their communication partners, focusing on the production of training materials ]
Augmentative Communication - Publishes the newsletters Augmentative Communication News (ACN) and Alternatively Speaking (AS), which provide information on hot topics in the field, discussion of vital issues for AAC stakeholders, and news from the AAC community.
Axistive - Offers free news, articles, product reviews and vendor information about assistive technology devices.
Meta Description: [ Scientists Create Prosthesis Of The Future. Science Daily — Researchers at Arizona State University ]
BATS - Research project at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill to investigate means of creating and distributing maps that are accessible to the visually impaired.
Center for Applied Special Technology - Opportunities for individuals with disabilities through the development of and innovative uses of technology.
Center on Disabilities - Conference proceedings online
Meta Description: [ California State University, Northridge, one of the nation's largest public universities, is the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley and beyond. ]
Cerebral Palsy and Technology - Information about cerebral palsy and the effects that technology can have upon it.
Cowichan Independent Living Resource Center - Non-profit society that promotes informed choice and empowerment of persons living with disabilities.
Davidson Program for Independence - A residential rehabilitation program that provides independence skills for adults who are newly blind or visually impaired.
Meta Description: [ This program is a seven-day-a-week comprehensive, residential, education, rehabilitation program for adults who are blind or visually-impaired. ]
Dawnbug - Computer help for the Blind. A web site which contains information on the use of computers by the blind and visually impaired.
Meta Description: [ Disability Advice Welfare Network Blind Users Group is a web site
which contains information on the use of computers by the blind and visually
impaired. ]
Family Guide to Assistive Technology - Helps parents learn more about assistive technology and how it can help their children. Includes tips for getting started, ideas about where to look for money, and suggestions for what to do when applying for funding.
Federal Policy Barriers to Assistive Technology - The National Council on Disabilities' report describing the barriers in United States Federal assistive technology policy to increasing the availability of and access to assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for people with disabilities.
Illinois Assistive Technology Project - Offers funding information, assistance, training, newsletters, and demonstration center.
John Williams' Assistive Technology Column - Critiques of the new technologies and products that help the disabled to realize their potential as successful, productive employees.
Project Participate - Promotes the appropriate use of technology for students with disabilities in school programs.
Meta Description: [ Project Participate provides school-based teams with strategies to increase active participation of students with diverse needs in the classroom. This project is supported by the U.S. Department of ]
pVoice Software - Free computer application that allows disabled children to communicate using symbols and speech synthesis. Includes support information and development resources.
Meta Description: [ pVoice software is free AAC software. ]
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America - RESNA is an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability.
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology Transfer - Advances methods, technologies and products, through collaboration with all stakeholders to improve assistive technology devices and services.
RNIB - Surfing the Web - Describes ways for blind and partially sighted people to use the internet, including changing font size, using special software or displays, using specialized browsers, and keyboard shortcuts.
Science Access Project - Develops methods for making science, math, and engineering information accessible to people with print disabilities.
Special Educational Needs IT - Contains information to support access to technology for people with special needs.
Meta Description: [ Better Living Through Technology - Promoting the use of technology in Special Educational Needs ]
Tech Connections - Provides information about assistive technology to state vocational rehabilitation and others interested in accommodations for work, school, or home. Includes accommodation ideas, case studies, resources. Funded by NIDRR.
Meta Description: [ The Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access strives to provide independence and knowledge for people with disabilities through research, training, events, articles, and more. ]
Washington Assistive Technology Alliance - WATA provides information, referrals, consultation, and training.
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