Assistive Technology (AT) is any device that helps a person with a disability do the things they want to do. AT comes in all shapes and sizes. What matters most is what you are able to do with it. Technology is integrated within many aspects of daily life, including education, independent living, employment, and social interaction. The idea behind Assistive Technology is to increase a person’s independence and community connections.
Technology is constantly advancing, and fortunately, it’s becoming more inclusive as it evolves. While there are far too many assistive devices, apps, tools, and technologies to cover in one list, we have some resources below to get you started.
Interested in learning more about Assistive Technology? Contact assistivetechnology@penn-mar.org for more information.
AT Offers Something for Everybody
Assistive Technology – The IMAGE Center of Maryland (imagemd.org)
Assistive Technology (maryland.gov)
MAT Program Application Process (maryland.gov)
Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) (marylandlibraries.org)
TechOWL – Technology for Our Whole Lives (techowlpa.org)
Resources for Advocating for Disability Rights (disabilityrightspa.org)
Who We Are | Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (patf.us)
Free Kindle Reading Apps for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC (amazon.com)
FaceTime & Google Duo – Video calling app that can be used when providing remote supports.
Seeing AI App – Seeing AI is a free app that narrates the world around you. Designed for the blind and low vision community, the power of AI opens the visual world and describes nearby people, text, and objects.
Pictello – Talking visual story creator
Alexa – Makes technology accessible to people with disabilities. People are already using their devices to make their lives easier and finding unexpected uses of technology.
WordQ – A simple text editor with powerful word prediction, speech feedback and speech recognition
Work Autonomy – This is broken down into three parts: Schedule, Communication, and Production. The Scheduling section helps the employee capture and understand all the different components of a job.
What tasks are difficult for you?
What have you tried before?
How involved will you be in the process?
How will you know if the AT device is a good fit for you?
From https://mdtransitions.org/assistive-technology/