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Assisted technology is something that sort of evens out the playing field for people with disabilities. There are many aids which fall into the category of assisted technology. These can be as simple as a walking cane or as complex as a bionic arm or leg. A person’s handicap may make him immobile and the wheelchair, either manual or motorized, is what assists him with walking. People sometimes need assisted technology to do their jobs. One such instance of this would be providing a magnified screen for a copywriter that is sight-impaired.
Another assisted technology for supporting people with disabilities is the telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD). Until the invention of this technology is was not possible for deaf persons to use the telephone to communicate the way that it was originally intended to be used. A deaf person can type what he wants to say. It is then relayed to an operator who reads it to the person on the receiving end. Hearing aids are considered assisted technology, too.
Assisted technology comes into play in the education arena to help those with learning disabilities. Software that generates graphic organizers assist those students that are visual learners and who benefit from that particular learning style. One may be able to get assisted technology by using a file sharing program like FileZilla. Some file transfer software is free, like File Zilla, and allows you to download and transfer information like graphic organizers for educational or personal purposes. The assisted technology that is used in the classroom can either be low tech or high tech. Low tech basically encompasses anything that doesn’t require a battery or electricity, like a dry erase board. High tech uses items like computers, video camcorders and anything that would typically require more training and support to use.
Durable medical equipment also falls under the assisted technology category. This includes things that help people to walk, like crutches and walkers. Items that help to increase a person’s independence with daily activities, such as showering and bathing can also be considered as assisted technology. This would include a shower seat and rails in the bathtub.
