Glossary of Adaptive and Assistive Technology Terms

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) is a general term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities, including the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. Assistive technology promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks they were formerly unable to accomplish or had great difficulty completing by providing enhancements to or changing methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. The term adaptive technology is often used as the synonym for assistive technology; however, they are different terms. Assistive technology refers to "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." In contrast, adaptive technology covers items specifically designed for persons with disabilities and would seldom be used by non-disabled persons.

Main Digest

Accessibility features provide various options within products that allow users to adjust the settings to their personal needs. Products can come with various accessibility features that adjust to the individual's visual, mobility, hearing, language, and learning needs. Accessibility features allow individuals with disabilities to use products that may not otherwise be useful.

What is meant by "access"? The term "access" refers to people's ability to fully use products and devices or full "access" to services. With full access to technology and services, people with varying abilities can better participate in school, at home, in the workplace, and in the community.

Assistive Technology Terminology

Academic and Learning Aids

Electronic and non-electronic aids such as calculators, spell checkers, portable word processors, and computer-based software solutions.

Adaptive Technologies

A type of assistive technology that includes customized systems that help individuals move, communicate, and control their environments.

Aids for Daily Living

Self-help aids for use in activities such as eating, bathing, cooking, dressing, toileting, and home maintenance.

Ambulation Aids

These devices help people walk upright and include canes, crutches, and walkers.

Assistive Listening Devices and Environmental Aids

Electronic and non-electronic aids such as amplification devices, closed captioning systems, and environmental alert systems that assist people hard of hearing or deaf with accessing information that is typically presented through an auditory modality.

Augmentative Communication

Electronic and non-electronic devices and software solutions that provide a means for expressive and receptive communication for persons with limited speech and language. The system can include speech, gestures, sign language, symbols, synthesized speech, dedicated communication aids, or microcomputers.

Bariatrics

Equipment and supplies designed for larger or obese patients. Bariatric Equipment designs cater to the larger person and feature increased weight capacities, heavy-duty support, and wider widths to fit the person's needs. Bariatric wheelchairs are designed to be stronger, more sturdy, and larger to suit the needs of an obese person. Most equipment defined as bariatric has a 300 - 900 pound weight limit - though there is not a specific width or designated weight limit that defines bariatric products - What are Bariatric Aids, Products or Equipment?

Compensatory Tools

Adaptive computing systems that allow people with disabilities to use computers to complete tasks that they would have difficulty doing without a computer, e.g., reading, writing, communicating, accessing information.

Computer Access and Instruction

Input and output devices, alternative access aids, modified or alternative keyboards, switches, special software, and other devices and software solutions that enable people with a disability to use a computer device.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Any piece of equipment that is used to serve a medical purpose, can withstand repeated use and is appropriate for use in the home.

Environmental Control

Electronic and non-electronic aids such as switches, environmental control units, and adapted appliances that persons with physical disabilities use to increase their independence. Environmental Adaptations are modifications or changes made to an individual's environment (e.g., home, work, school, community) to assist in living independently.

Mobility Aids

Electronic and non-electronic aids such as wheelchairs (manual and electronic), walkers, scooters that are used to increase personal mobility and independence in personal transportation.

Pre-vocational and Vocational Aids

Electronic and non-electronic aids such as picture-based task analysis sheets, adapted knobs, and adapted timers and watches that are used to assist in completing pre-vocational and vocational tasks.

Recreation and Leisure Aids

Electronic and non-electronic aids such as adapted books, switch adapted toys, and leisure computer-based software applications that persons with disabilities use to increase participation and independence in recreation and leisure activities.

Rehabilitative Devices

Rehabilitate means to train. Rehabilitative devices are used for testing, exercising, and training.

Seating and Positioning

Adaptive seating systems and positioning devices that provide people with optimal positioning.They provide greater body stability, upright posture, or pressure reduction on the skin surface. Equipment includes wheelchair cushions, trunk/head supports, modular seating, and seating lifts.

Switches and Switch Software

Switches offer an alternative method of providing input to a computer when it is not possible to use a standard keyboard or mouse.

Universal Design (UD)

An approach to the design of products and environments aimed at making them accessible to all people, both those with and without disabilities.

Visual Aids

Electronic and non-electronic aids such as magnifiers, talking calculators, Braille writers, adapted tape players, screen reading software applications for the computer, and Braille note-taking devices that assist people with visual impairments or blindness in accessing and producing information that is typically present in a visual (print) modality.

Adaptive Clothing

Adaptive Clothing is any clothing designed or altered to accommodate a particular dressing difficulty.

Back-flap Pants

Designed with fabric that overlaps at the seat and is attached by snaps at the waist to allow for ease in self-toileting for the person who uses a wheelchair.

Cut-away Garments

Seat of the garment has been "cut away," providing easier personal care by the caregiver and comfort for the wearer.

Foot Orthoses

Foot orthoses comprise a custom-made insert or footbed fitted into a shoe. Commonly referred to as "orthotics," these orthoses support the foot by redistributing ground reaction forces and realigning foot joints while standing, walking, or running.

One-piece Jumpsuits

Have back zipper access to prevent the wearer from disrobing inappropriately and assist in toileting and personal care needs for the individual.

Plus Size Clothing

Also called Outsize in some countries, an extra large or oversize clothing size, especially one for women's or children's clothing.

Rear Closure Garments

Items that open down the back to facilitate dressing people who cannot raise their arms over their head to put on a shirt or dress, or who are confined to a wheelchair or bed.

Side Snap Pants

Feature snaps on both sides of the pants at the waistband provide ample room for care and dressing comfort and make the waist area adjustable.

Side-zip Garments

Feature zippers down both sides, allowing greater ease in dressing and facilitating the transfer process in toileting.

Assisted Living

Communities designed to provide residents with assistance with basic ADLs (activities of daily living) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and more. Assisted living communities differ from nursing homes because they don't offer complex medical services.

Early intervention Services

Provided under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which address the needs of infants and toddlers with disabilities, from birth to age three years, and their families.

Independent Living Centers (ILCs)

Also known as Centers for Independent Living (CILs), ILCs are typically non-residential, community organizations that advocate for people with disabilities. The centers promote full access to housing, transportation, employment, recreation, and other support services.

Personal Assistance Services (PAS)

Help people with disabilities complete daily tasks needed for successful participation in school, work, and community living. They include but are not limited to dressing, eating, personal hygiene, shopping, and home/office organization.

Stairlift Glossary of Terms

Stair lifts are also known as stairlifts, stair-lifts, chair lifts, stair gliders, and by other names. A Stairlift is a specially designed lift in the form of a chair that can be raised or lowered at the edge of a domestic staircase, used for carrying a person who cannot go up or down the stairs. For sufficiently wide stairs, a rail is mounted to the treads of the stairs. A chair or lifting platform is attached to the rail. A person gets onto the chair or platform and is lifted up or down the stairs by the chair, which moves along the rail. See our Stairlift Glossary for a comprehensive list of terms.

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2016, September 24). Glossary of Adaptive and Assistive Technology Terms. Disabled World. Retrieved April 25, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/definitions/da.php

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