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What is AT?

Assistive innovation (AT): items, devices, and systems that improve learning, working, and daily living for individuals with specials needs.
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Begin discovering about assistive innovation and the ATIA:

What is assistive innovation? How do you pick the ideal assistive innovation? Who pays for assistive technology? What is the ATIA, and how can it help you find out about assistive technology? Can you participate in an ATIA conference and what will you learn? Can you participate in an online ATIA webinar? What is assistive technology?

Assistive innovation (AT) is any product, tool, software application program, or item system that is used to increase, maintain, or enhance the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.

- AT can be low-tech: communication boards made from cardboard or fuzzy felt.

AT can be high-tech: special-purpose computer systems.
AT can be hardware: prosthetics, mounting systems, and placing gadgets.
AT can be computer system hardware: unique switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.
AT can be computer software application: screen readers and communication programs.
AT can be inclusive or specific knowing materials and curriculum aids.
AT can be specialized curricular software.
AT can be much more-electronic gadgets, wheelchairs, walkers, braces, instructional software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze and head trackers, and a lot more.

Assistive technology helps people who have problem speaking, typing, composing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, strolling, and lots of other things. Different specials needs need different assistive innovations.

Find more about particular assistive innovations at the sites of ATIA members and ATIA Alliance Partners. Professional companies in the field also have helpful sites. For more links, see AT Resources.

How do you pick the best assistive technology?

Most typically, the option is a decision you make with a team of specialists and consultants trained to match particular assistive innovations to particular needs. An AT group might include household physicians, routine and unique education instructors, speech-language pathologists, rehab engineers, physical therapists, and other specialists including speaking with representatives from companies that produce assistive innovation.

Learn more about how different experts can help you at the sites of their professional companies:

AOTA, American Occupational Therapy Association ASHA, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association CEC, Council for Exceptional Children LDA, Learning Disability Association of America RESNA, Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of The United States And Canada

Service companies and producers provide important info as well. Start with the list of ATIA Alliance Partners.

Who pays for assistive technology?

The response depends upon the technology, the usage, and the user. Many kinds of AT may cost you little or absolutely nothing, even for some really expensive products. Some examples:

School systems pay for general unique education discovering materials in addition to innovation defined in an IEP. Government programs (Social Security, veteran's benefits, or state Medicaid companies) pay for certain assistive innovation if a physician recommends it as a needed medical device. Private health insurance coverage pays for specific assistive technology if a medical professional recommends it as an essential medical or corrective gadget. Rehabilitation and task training programs, whether moneyed by government or private firms, might spend for assistive innovation and training to help individuals get tasks. Employers might spend for assistive innovation that is an affordable lodging to make it possible for a staff member to perform important job tasks.

Other sources of funds in states or communities consist of personal foundations, charities, and civic organizations. The ATIA's Funding Resources Guide provides sources and resources to examine as prospective options.

What is the ATIA, and how can it assist you discover out about assistive technology?

The ATIA is a not-for revenue membership organization of makers, sellers, and companies of technology-based assistive gadgets and services. ATIA members are active in supplying assistive technology for the range of disabilities:

- Autism spectrum disorders
Blindness and low vision
Deafness and hard of hearing
Computer access problems
Communication disorders
Mobility problems
Mounting systems
Learning specials needs
Cognitive impairments
Web ease of access
Augmentative and alternative communication gadgets (AAC)

ATIA members are not primarily concentrated on architectural products (specialized elevators, lifts, ramps or grab bars), transportation items (wheelchairs and automobile adaptations), prosthetic devices (artificial limbs and eyes), and hearing help.

Discover more about the assistive innovation products and services offered by ATIA members by taking a look at their sites, noted in the ATIA Membership Directory.

ATIA members have a remarkable warehouse of experience and understanding important to meeting the distinct requirements of persons needing assistive innovation. They have broad experience adapting their products to specific situations and assisting regional specialists discover one-of-a-kind options for consumers with specials needs.

The ATIA Conference, held yearly given that 1999, showcases items and services for the assistive technology community-from users to teachers to market and federal government experts. In addition, the working groups through which its members work to advance industry requirements as technology modifications, and to discover brand-new ways to share information about those advances to specialists and the public.

The ATIA and its members establish online webinars that provide continuing education about assistive technology for practitioners and interested members of the public.

Can you go to an ATIA Conference and what will you learn?

Everyone is welcomed to go to the ATIA Conference, to make the most of the very same broad variety of discovering chances that practicing therapists, instructors, and other market experts receive.

You can discover how to select from the very best existing technologies and get a first appearance at brand-new ones in addition to innovative academic research study. Teachers can learn tested ways to utilize AT in the class. Hands-on workshops teach advanced methods to use particular items. In community forums, practitioners, persons who use assistive innovation, and their families can go over problems with manufacturers and professionals.

For some, the most interesting part is the Exhibit Hall, where you can try a complete variety of products, consisting of brand-new and establishing technology. For others, the very best part is satisfying other people who are dealing with the very same problems, sharing stories and assisting each other.

Can you go to an Online AT Education webinar?
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ATIA members and Alliance Partners provide a wealth of valuable information technology through the Assistive Technology Online Professional Development Program, both live and taped. In Live Broadcast webinars, the audience can connect with the presenter. Webinars are likewise recorded and archived so individuals who can not participate in a Live Broadcast can access the information.

Webinars are primarily tailored towards teachers and specialists, who can use them for continuing education credits. But they can also be valuable for users, parents, and other members of the general public who have actually found out the essentials of assistive technology and want to find out more.