ALA | Assistive Technology Devices

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Assistive Technology Devices

One of the most common ways to provide access to library materials, technologies, and services is through the use of assistive technology devices. As defined under federal law, an assistive technology device 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 functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. In practical terms, assistive technology devices meet the specific needs of individuals with disabilities by making an otherwise inaccessible technology or service accessible.

Examples of assistive technology devices include:

A software program such as a screen reader, which reads aloud text on the computer screen to help individuals who are blind navigate and use a computer;
Captioning that appears on a videotape or CD-ROM to allow deaf individuals to follow the spoken dialogue of a video;
Video description, which describes visual elements of video with spoken descriptions in the natural dialogue pauses;
Assistive listening devices that enable hard-of-hearing individuals to capture a speaker's voice and transmit that sound to a hearing aid for amplification;
A refreshable Braille display that allows individuals who are blind to read documents by placing their hands on a device that raises and lowers pins in response to electronic signals to generate Braille characters;
Adaptive keyboards or keyboard overlays with larger keys and other features that help users with motor difficulties to make selections more easily;
Switches that make it possible for individuals with physical disabilities to access a computer keyboard using a mouth, head, or foot;
Alternative Augmentative Communication devices with pre- programmed menus that allow non-verbal individuals to "speak" aloud by pressing buttons.

There are many state resources available to assist in identifying and evaluating the appropriateness of particular assistive technology devices in the library. One such resource is each state's Assistive Technology Act project, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to serve as a resource and referral center on meeting the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities. Additionally, there are regional Disability Technical Assistance Centers that can provide valuable information regarding accessibility and assistive technology devices.

Further information:

The Trace Center:
http://www.tracecenter.org/

Assistive Technology Industry Association:
http://www.atia.org

Pennsylvania's Institute on Assistive Technology:
http://www.temple.edu/instituteondisabilities/piat/index.html#sitemap

Assistive Technology Act Projects:
http://www.atap.org

Alliance for Tech Access:
http://www.ataccess.org

Assistive Technology Device Glossary:
http://www.utoronto.ca/atrc/reference/tech/techgloss.html

Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers:
http://www.adata.org/dbtac.html

Assistive Technology Act of 1998, PL 105-394, Section 3(a)(2) and (3).
http://www.ncddr.org/relativeact/statetech/ata98.pdf