The World Health Organization (WHO) defines assistive technology and assistive products as follows.
- Assistive technology is the application of organized knowledge and skills related to assistive products, including systems and services. AT is a subset of health technology.
- Assistive products: Any external product (including devices, equipment, instruments, or software), especially produced or generally available, whose primary purpose is to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence and thereby promote their well-being. Assistive products are also used to prevent disabilities and secondary health conditions.
- Priority assistive products: Those products that are highly needed, an absolute necessity to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning, and which need to be available at a price the community/state can afford.
Having access to assistive technologies (AT) is critical to supporting independence, participation, communication, and learning. ATs enable individuals to participate more fully in education, work, and community life. It’s also important to notice that ATs include a wide range of products, from simple tools such as walking aids and magnifiers to more advanced digital and AI-based technologies.
Here are a few guidelines conducted on global mapping in the BERT project:
- Improve accessibility, availability, and affordability: Develop affordable ATs for low-resource settings using local innovations such as 3D printing. Build infrastructure to support AT integration.
- Enhance training, awareness, and usability: Provide ongoing training for educators to use ATs effectively. Ensure ATs are user-friendly, adaptable, and interoperable with existing systems.
- Strengthening technological integration: Develop standards for AT compatibility and adaptability. Build infrastructure to ensure seamless use of AT in educational settings.
- Promote equity and inclusion: Design adaptable ATs that benefit all students, regardless of the type of disability or socio-economic status. Support local, affordable solutions to reduce disparities.
- Facilitate stakeholder collaboration and evaluation: Foster partnerships to improve AT availability and equity. Evaluate ATs regularly to enhance their effectiveness and impact.
Learn more:
- Next page: AT role and definitions
- AT categories
- AT examples
