Assistive technology (AT) is a term for assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and the elderly. People with disabilities often have difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs) independently or even with assistance. ADLs are self-care activities that include toileting, mobility (walking), eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, and caring for personal devices. Assistive technologies can mitigate the effects of disabilities that limit the ability to perform ADLs. Assistive technologies promote greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they previously could not do or could do only with great difficulty, by improving the technology needed to perform those tasks, or by changing the methods of interacting with it. For example, wheelchairs enable independent mobility for people who cannot walk, while eating aids allow people who cannot feed themselves to do so. Thank you to assistive technology, disabled people have the opportunity to live more positive and carefree lives, with more “social participation,” “safety and control,” and a greater chance to “reduce institutional costs without significantly increasing household expenses.” In schools, assistive technology can be instrumental in helping students with disabilities access the general curriculum. For example, students who have trouble writing or using a keyboard can use speech recognition software instead. Assistive technologies help people recovering from strokes and people who are limited in their daily tasks due to injuries.
