Glossary
Assistive technology (AT)
Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment or product system that increases, maintains or improves what a person with a disability can do. Speech recognition, voice control and screen readers are common examples.
Updated October 16, 20264 cited facts, each traced to its source
Also called AT.
Assistive technology (AT) is equipment, software and systems that help people with disabilities do things they would otherwise find hard. Under U.S. federal law, an assistive technology device is any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities 1.
The definition covers standard products and customized ones
The phrase "whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized" means a product sold to the public and an adapted setup can both count. The test is the function: whether the item increases, maintains or improves what the person can do. A dictation app, a switch, a magnifier or a custom keyboard can each meet it, depending on how it is used.
Its purpose is to restore function and independence
The World Health Organization says the primary purpose of assistive products is to maintain or improve an individual's functioning and independence, thereby promoting their well-being 2. Speech input is a good example of that purpose: someone who cannot type for long periods can still write, and someone who cannot use a mouse can still move through a computer.
Speech input is built into many devices now
Apple's Listen for Atypical Speech, announced in May 2024, uses on-device machine learning to recognize a user's speech patterns. Apple says it is designed for people with acquired or progressive conditions that affect speech, such as cerebral palsy, ALS or stroke 3. On the Mac, Voice Control lets you speak commands to navigate the desktop and apps, interact with what is on screen, and dictate and edit text 4. Built-in tools like these are often the first step, before a specialist product.
Related terms and guides
Related terms: reasonable accommodation, dictation, voice control, repetitive strain injury (RSI).
Guides that cover assistive speech tools:
Evidence
Every number on this page, with where it comes from. Open a fact to see the exact words in its source.
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Related terms
- Speech to Text for Accessibility, RSI and DisabilitiesThe topic this term belongs to
- Access to WorkAccess to Work is a UK government grant for people with a disability or health condition who need support to do their job. GOV.UK says it can help pay for specialist equipment and assistive software, among other support, and that the grant does not affect other benefits and does not have to be paid back.
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a clinical practice area that supplements or compensates for impairments in speaking or understanding language. It uses tools such as picture boards, letter boards and speech-generating devices, and it is augmentative when used alongside speech and alternative when used instead of speech.
- CART captioningCART captioning is a live text service in which a trained captioner types what is said, usually on a stenotype machine, and the words appear on a screen as they are spoken. CART stands for Communication Access Realtime Translation, and it is also called real-time captioning.
- De Quervain's tenosynovitisDe Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful condition in which tendons that move the thumb become irritated where they pass through a narrow tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist. Repeated thumb and wrist movements, such as texting, can worsen it.
- Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is UK government support for students with a disability, mental health problem or long-term illness, to cover study costs that come from the condition. It depends on individual needs rather than household income, and it does not have to be paid back.
- DysarthriaDysarthria is a speech disorder that happens when brain or nerve damage changes the way the muscles used for speaking work, so speech can sound slow, slurred or hard to understand. Speech recognition trained on typical voices can make more errors with this speech, so accuracy depends on the person and the software.
- DysgraphiaDysgraphia is a difficulty with writing that does not match a person's cognitive level and age, even after adequate instruction. It can affect letter formation, spacing, spelling, writing speed and composition, and speech to text lets a person get their words onto the page without writing each letter by hand.
- Individualized Education Program (IEP)An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written statement for a child with a disability, developed, reviewed and revised under the federal IDEA regulations. For US students, it is the school's plan for the special education and services the child needs, and the team must consider whether the child needs assistive technology.
- Median nerveThe median nerve is one of the main nerves of the arm. It runs from the forearm through the wrist into the hand, giving feeling and movement to parts of the hand.
- Reasonable accommodationA reasonable accommodation is a change to the job, the workplace or the equipment that lets a qualified person with a disability do the work. Under U.S. law, employers with 15 or more employees must provide one unless it would impose an undue hardship.
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI)Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is an umbrella term for pain and damage to muscles, tendons and nerves that builds up from repeated movements, held postures or sustained effort, felt in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and neck.
- Screen readerA screen reader is software that reads what is on a computer or phone screen aloud, or sends it to a braille display, so that people who are blind or have low vision can use the device. The most used screen readers on Windows are JAWS and NVDA, and VoiceOver is the one built into Apple devices.
Pages that use this term
- Speech to Text for Accessibility, RSI and DisabilitiesTopic
- Speech to Text for Students With DisabilitiesGuide
- Can the Disabled Students' Allowance pay for dictation software?Question
- Is voice recognition software an assistive technology?Question
- Access to WorkGlossary
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)Glossary
- Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)Glossary
- DysarthriaGlossary
- DysgraphiaGlossary
- Individualized Education Program (IEP)Glossary
- Live TranscribeGlossary
- Real-time text (RTT)Glossary
- Reasonable accommodationGlossary
- Screen readerGlossary
- Section 504 planGlossary
- Voice Access (Android)Glossary