Questions and Answers on the Use of Assistive Technology

How many people use assistive technology devices?

There are an estimated 13.1 million people using assistive technology devices in the United States for anatomical, mobility, hearing, vision, speech, or other purposes.
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/ncmrr/symposium/posters/scherer.htm

What special equipment or technology do people with disabilities need for the jobs they prefer?

Most adults with disabilities who are working or willing and able to work do not need special equipment or technology to perform their jobs effectively. For the 26% who report needing special equipment or technology to do their jobs effectively, the technology is readily available and relatively inexpensive. Needs vary among employed and non-working adults with disabilities. Eighteen percent of those who are working and 11% of those who are not currently working reported that they need a personal or labtop computer to be able to work effectively. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of people with disabilities do not need special equipment or technology to do their jobs effectively.
(InfoUse, 1996, 1998)

What Laws Address Assistive Technology Access?

Congress has long recognized its leadership role in providing assistive technology. In response to a growing need for AT and the momentum of the disability rights movement, a myriad of federal laws and policies have been enacted, reauthorized, and amended to address the provision of assistive technology and accessible mainstream technology.

The Tech Act of 1988, 1994
http://www.resna.org/taproject/index.html

Section 504
http://www.ed.gov/policy/rights/reg/ocr/edlite-34cfr104.html

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm

Section 508
http://www.section508.gov/

ADA, 1990 (PL 101-336)
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 1990 (PL 101-476)
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/Policy/IDEA/

Rehabilitation Act Amendments of ’92 (PL 102-569)
http://www.resna.org/taproject/library/atq/rehbact.htm

Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (PL 105-394)
http://www.ncddr.org/index.html

When should AT be considered?

Assistive technology may be considered appropriate when it does any or all of the following things:

Enables an individual to perform functions that can be achieved by no other means.

Enables an individual to approximate normal fluency, rate, or standards--a level of accomplishment which could not be achieved by any other means.

Provides access for participation in programs or activities which otherwise would be closed to the individual.

Increases endurance or ability to persevere and complete tasks that otherwise are too laborious to be attempted on a routine basis.

Enables an individual to concentrate on learning or employment tasks, rather than mechanical tasks.

Provides greater access to information.

Supports typical social interactions with peers and adults.

Supports participation in the least restrictive educational, community living and/or employment environment.