Assistive Technology

Assistive technology or (AT) is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using such devices. This technology is most commonly used by those who are blind or visually impaired, though any device, piece of equipment, or apparatus designed to help others to compensate for impairment is, by definition an assistive technology. This type of technology is most often applied to computers enabling ease of use and internet surfing and can be prominently found in libraries! Libraries, such as Washington State University, Palomar Collage and provide common types of assistive technology that include; screen magnifiers and screen reading software such as voice synthesizers, navigators, scanners, text enlargement software, and Braille output devices. Some common enlargement devices include; A1 Squared, Freedom Scientific and Dolphin’s Lunar and Super Nova programs. Commonly used reading software includes; GW Micro, Freedom Scientific and Dolphin, all of which are very user friendly and allow the user to easily control the amount of magnification and/or allow the user to have their chosen text to be read aloud to them. Other forms of assistive technology focus on the use of keyboards and the computer mouse; Oversize keyboards with large keys afford users with limited dexterity a greater chance of pressing the correct key. Smaller keyboards, similar to those on cellular phones, can help individuals who have limited movement in their hands. On-screen keyboards are available for someone who cannot use his or her hands but is able to control the movement of his or her head. Patrons unable to learn the layout of the keyboard will benefit from products such as Intellikeys, a device that offers keyboard layouts to fit specific needs. There are also alternatives to the standard mouse. Senior-friendly models with a larger mouse and larger buttons can be useful to individuals with cognitive disabilities. There are also models with differently colored click-function buttons, making it easier to comprehend and execute tasks. For users who cannot adjust to using a standard mouse, trackballs and joysticks similar to those found with gaming consoles will simulate the mouse’s job. All this technology can become confusing, however, to ensure that library staff has a rudimentary knowledge of how to work with persons with disabilities, American Library Association (ALA’s) Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) has developed a helpful toolkit of etiquette tip sheets. The sheets, which can be read and assimilated relatively quickly, suggest appropriate behaviors for staff working with persons who have specific disabilities, and identify materials and assistive technologies that will help disabled individuals use the library more successfully. The toolkit will be a useful supplement to training organized by a library’s human resources department. The many types of assistive technology that can be found in libraries can help to enable users to master tasks at home, school, and work. It can also increase their independence and quality of life by allowing users to be more efficient and successful throughout their daily life!