Assistive Technology

“For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.” - Mary Pat Radabaugh

What is Assistive Technology?

AT can be many things! According to state and federal law, Assistive Technology is “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.” The definition covers a broad range of devices, software, apps, and strategies that may be very simple or quite “high-tech”. AT may also take the form of services needed to support the team or the student in the process of AT selection, acquisition and use.

What makes something  AT?

What makes the broad range of supports (described above)  AT is what they do for the student - increase, maintain, or improve function. AT, when carefully selected and supported, assists students in doing the things they need to do – read, write, listen, see, communicate, and many other tasks that they might otherwise be unable to do or to do effectively. Technology - including everyday devices or instructional technology - becomes AT for a student when it makes doing these things possible.

PaTTAN Publication: Teachers’ Desk Reference: Assistive Technology

• Videos
• Resources
• Consultants

Resources

APR: Is a Career as an Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist Right for You? In alignment with Pennsylvania’s dedication to Attracting, Preparing, and Retaining practitioners in education, specifically in special education, this publication was developed for those interested in learning more or pursuing a career as an Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist. An AT Specialist is a professional who helps students with disabilities select and use assistive technology to help them maintain or improve their independence and interactions with others. 

Click here to learn more about Pennsylvania's APR initiative. 

Matching Assistive Technology (AT) Features to Low Vision Needs For students who have low vision, various interventions have the potential to maximize the use of functional vision, which varies from student to student. Specifically, these strategies can maximize clarity, optimize the field of view, maximize color and contrast, optimize lighting, minimize glare, and enhance visual efficiency, visual comfort, and visual confidence. This booklet explains the general process for matching students with appropriate low vision interventions within a functional setting.

Assistive Technology in the IEP: A Guide for IEP Teams Appropriate assistive technology (AT) devices and services can allow students with disabilities to participate in and benefit from the general education curriculum and to meet Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. The purpose of this brochure is to provide guidance to the special educators, related service providers, and parents as they develop Individual Education Programs (IEP) for students using assistive technology.

Also available in Spanish.

Assistive Technology for Students With Disabilities: A Closer Look at Acquisition and Funding This guide provides information that is specific to local educational agencies (LEAs) in Pennsylvania about the elements of effective AT acquisition and funding.

Teachers' Desk Reference: Assistive Technology This issue of Teachers' Desk Reference provides an overview of assistive technology and how it can benefit students both in school and in their everyday lives.

Also available in Spanish.

Click here to order the entire Teachers' Desk Reference series in a convenient bundle.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Visual and Environmental Considerations The purpose of this framework is to help school teams assess a student's ability to visually access a communication system/display and to address the impact of environmental issues.

View All Related Resources

Consultants

- Office Lead

- State Lead

Jennifer Edgar PaTTAN - EAST

Sue Ann Houser PaTTAN - CENTRAL

Tammy Thompson-Cooke PaTTAN - EAST

Jennifer Craig PaTTAN - WEST

Gregory Gerhart PaTTAN - CENTRAL

Tammy Bertel PaTTAN - EAST

Tim Knight PaTTAN - WEST