Assistive Technology
Overcoming technology barriers
Assistive Technology (AT) is one of the mechanisms you can use to accommodate the needs of employees with disabilities so that they can realize their full potential.
AT is defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as, “Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
Providing employees with the necessary tools to perform their job helps your company maximize productivity and enhance the skill set of your workforce.
AT can accommodate a wide range of disabilities, including but not limited to:
- visual impairment
- deafness and hearing loss
- speech and language impairments
- mobility limitations
- learning difficulties
- mental health impairments
- neurological disorders
AT can be broken down into groups according to the needs of the individual(s). Some employees with disabilities may find these types of technology useful:
- communication aids
- computer access aids
- environmental aids
- ergonomic equipment
- hearing and listening aids
- mobility and transportation aids
- seating and positioning aids
- vision and reading aids
Next Steps
- Conduct a needs assessment with your employee. Initiate and maintain an open dialogue about his or her career goals. Identifying goals will help create a more accurate assessment of the AT he or she may need to work in a competitive environment.
- Work with the employee to identify functional barriers to competitive employment. Discuss how AT can help the employee overcome these barriers. You and the employee may identify a number of simple solutions.
- If you need more help, consult with an AT professional to help identify products, determine costs, connect with vendors and install or implement the needed technology in your workplace.
Resources
The National Public Website on Assistive Technology provides resources to help identify Assistive Technology solutions for your employees. You can also determine costs and connect with vendors.
The Family Center of Technology and Disability offers information about Assistive Technology resources.
Easter Seals provides information about assistive technology, including cost information, needs assessment tools and a catalog of assistive technology products among.
Abledata provides objective information about available Assistive Technology products. You can also connect with companies that sell AT products.
Assistive Technology and Web Accessibility training modules
The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program program is a model program for accommodating employees with disabilities. The program focuses on accommodating employees with disabilities in the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, but also offers information and resources that are useful to any individual or employer. CAP has a technology evaluation center in Virginia that is open to visitors. Contact CAP at (703) 681-8813 (voice), (703) 681-0881 (TTY), or by email at cap@tma.osd.mil
MassMATCH provides information about where to see, try and borrow Assistive Technolgy for employees. Their mission is to promote the use of assistive technology and assistive technology services to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, enabling equal participation in all of life’s activities.
