Assistive Technology

The term "assistive technology" refers to all devices that increase the capacity of people with disabilities to function in all aspects of daily living, including work and leisure. The following are some examples of assistive devices (the list is not comprehensive):

• Devices for people with mobility impairments: e.g., wheel chairs, trolleys, tricycles, calipers or braces, crutches, walkers and artificial limbs.


• Devices for people with sight impairments: e.g., braillers, low-vision devices, white canes, adapted precision measurement instruments, educational devices and adapted toys.


• Devices for people with hearing impairments: e.g., hearing aids and telecommunications devices for deaf people (TDD).


• Devices for people with cerebral palsy: e.g., adapted crockery and cutlery.

Below are some samples of the assistive technologies available.

LINKS   (These will open in a new window.)

• Dragon Naturally Speaking - The Dragon NaturallySpeaking family of products is the fast, easy and accurate way to turn speech into text. Users can dictate into virtually any windows-based application at speeds up to 160 words per minute and achieve higher levels of accuracy than ever before. * Disabled PC users looking to optimize productivity with their PCs * Home users that want to have fun with their computers.
• Inspiration - Inspiration helps children and adults alike, prioritize and organize thought processes so that ideas are put into a written format. This is a Visual learning tool that people with learning and developmental disabilities can use for outlining, concept maps, brainstorming, organizing ideas, etc.
• JAWS - The most popular screen reader worldwide, JAWS® for Windows works with your PC to provide access to today's software applications and the Internet. With its internal software speech synthesizer and the computer's sound card, information from the screen is read aloud, providing technology to access a wide variety of information, education and job related applications. JAWS also outputs to refreshable Braille displays, providing unmatched Braille support of any screen reader on the market. A training tutorial is included.
• Kensington Track Ball - This mouse has a large ball for easy fingertip control and precision pointing. It is recommended that people with mobility impairments use this mouse.
• Kurzweil Educational Systems - Kurzweil Educational Systems currently offers two powerful assistive technology products and backs them with a level of service that demonstrates to our customers how committed we are to their success. Using our products, individuals are empowered to take control over their reading and writing disabilities and establish their independence - in the classroom, in the workplace, in their daily lives.
• Window Eyes Professional - Window-Eyes Professional puts you in the hands of the most powerful screen reading software ever created. Window-Eyes gives total control over what you hear and how you hear it. Plus, with its enhanced Braille support that control is extended to what you feel as well. On top of all that, the power and stability of Window-Eyes means that most applications work right out of the box with no need for endless tinkering in order to get them to function properly.
• WordQ Writing Aid Software - WordQ Writing Aid Software is a tool used along with standard word processing software. It suggests words for you to use and provides spoken feedback. You can even use it to read Web pages. Users of all ages that have problems writing and editing can benefit.
• ZoomText Magnifier/Reader - This software is our Assistive Technology of the Month for August – click here to find out all about it.