Editorials: Disability and Health Technology

Assistive technologies (AT) are devices or equipment that can be used to help a person with a disability fully engage in life activities.

Assistive technology includes products and services to help people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, etc.

AT's can help enhance functional independence and make daily living tasks easier through the use of aids that help a person travel, communicate with others, learn, work, and participate in social and recreational activities.

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990, many social barriers have been removed or reduced for people with disabilities.

There is still more work that needs to be done for people with disabilities to become more independent and involved in their world.

About This Image: Mountain Trike wheelchair photoFurther methods need to be put into practice to establish effective and, if necessary, novel ways of designing healthcare technology when end users are people with disabilities.

So Who Pays for Assistive Technology for the Disabled?

• Employers may pay for assistive technology that is determined to be a reasonable accommodation, so an employee can perform essential job tasks.
• Private health insurance pays for certain assistive technology if it is prescribed by a doctor as a necessary medical device or used for rehabilitation.
• Government programs (whether Social Security, Veteran's benefits, or state Medicaid agencies) pay for certain assistive technology if it is prescribed by a doctor as a necessary medical device.
• Schools systems pay for general special education learning materials as well as technology specified in an IEP.
• Rehabilitation and job training programs, whether funded by government or private agencies, may pay for assistive technology and training to help people get a job.