The purpose of assistive technology is to remove or reduce the effects of functional limitations. When discussing AT tools to meet the needs of individuals, often times conversations and determinations center on the most expensive, most complex, or most recent technologies.
As stated in Visual Supports for People with Autism, "The use of high-tech devices and software to support individuals with disabilities is certainly not a silver bullet, and it is important to understand the specific needs and strengths of each individual before making any decisions. A good rule of thumb is “just because something is new, doesn’t mean it is the best choice.” While some individuals may benefit from the use of handheld computers or other mobile devices, others may benefit from more traditional, low-tech visual supports or a combination of the two."
A critical component of the AT process is the matching an individual’s strengths, needs, and preferences with the most appropriate software or hardware, referred to as Feature Matching. As shared in a latter post, a comprehensive feature matching assessment such as the SETT Framework (Student, Environment, Tasks, Tools) (Zabala, 2005) should explore both the needs of the individual along with how and where the tools will be used.
The determination between high tech and low tech options depends on the individual and their abilities. It is essential to remember one size does not fit all. Ultimately, the determination for the technology should be based upon and meet the needs of the individual, never that the individual's needs meet the requirement for the technologies.
The chart below provides some examples of high to low to no tech adaptive solutions available to individuals in need of AT. If you are seeking a more comprehensive list of high to low tech tools, visit the Assistive Technology Continuum of Low to High Tech Tools list created by the Boston Public Schools' Access Technology Center (ATC). Additionally, Glenda's Assistive Technology blog offers tools sorted by specific disabilities.
The chart below provides some examples of high to low to no tech adaptive solutions available to individuals in need of AT. If you are seeking a more comprehensive list of high to low tech tools, visit the Assistive Technology Continuum of Low to High Tech Tools list created by the Boston Public Schools' Access Technology Center (ATC). Additionally, Glenda's Assistive Technology blog offers tools sorted by specific disabilities.
About the Presenters
Tracy Block-Zaretsky is a co-founder of the Dyslexia Training Institute. She has provided remediation for children and adults with dyslexia for the past 20 years and has developed and taught workplace and family literacy programs. She is a certified special education advocate assisting parents and children through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan process. She is a past president of the San Diego Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. Tracy has training in Structured Word Inquiry, the Orton-Gillingham approach, Lindamood-Bell programs, Read Naturally and a variety of reading and writing assessments. She co-created and produced, Dyslexia for a Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia, and has provided professional development for educators and training for parents at numerous conferences, private on-site trainings and online courses and webinars. Tracy is also a parent of a child with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD and Executive Function Disorder.
