Overcoming technology barriers
Assistive Technology (AT) is one of the mechanisms you can use to accommodate the needs of employees with disabilities so that they can realize their full potential.
Assistive technology is a type of job accommodation that enables a person with a disability to perform an activity or improve their job performance. Assistive technology, whether it is a customized workstation, specialized software, or another type of technology, often incurs little or no cost for an employer.
Assistive technology is defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as, “Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
Providing employees with the necessary tools to perform their job helps your company maximize productivity and enhance the skill set of your workforce.
Assistive technology can accommodate a wide range of disabilities, including but not limited to:
- visual impairment
- deafness and hearing loss
- speech and language impairments
- mobility limitations
- learning difficulties
- mental health impairments
- neurological disorders
Assistive technology can be broken down into groups according to the needs of the individual(s). Some employees with disabilities may find these types of technology useful:
- communication aids
- computer access aids
- environmental aids
- ergonomic equipment
- hearing and listening aids
- mobility and transportation aids
- seating and positioning aids
- vision and reading aids
Next Steps
- Conduct a needs assessment with your employee. Initiate and maintain an open dialogue about his or her career goals. Identifying goals will help create a more accurate assessment of the AT he or she may need to work in a competitive environment.
- Work with the employee to identify functional barriers to competitive employment. Discuss how AT can help the employee overcome these barriers. You and the employee may identify a number of simple solutions.
- If you need more help, consult with an AT professional to help identify products, determine costs, connect with vendors and install or implement the needed technology in your workplace.
Resources
State Resources
- The Commonwealth’s initiative, Maximize Assistive Technology (AT) in Consumer’s Hands (MassMATCH) provides information about where to see, try and borrow Assistive Technology for employees. Their mission is to promote the use of assistive technology and assistive technology services to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, enabling equal participation in all of life’s activities.
National Resources
- Assitivetech.net training modules, a national public website on assistive technology is an online resource that provides up-to-date information on topics including adaptive environments and community resources. Information specialists are also available to answer questions about assistive technology.
- Easter Seals provides information about assistive technology, including cost information, needs assessment tools and a catalog of assistive technology products among.
- Easter Seals – Massachusetts
- The Institute for Human Centered Design (ICHD) is a Boston-based organization that works to enhance the work experience for people with all abilities. ICHD provides a variety of services including accessibility consulting for public and private organizations and businesses. The ICHD also serves the New England ADA Center.
- Trace Research & Development Center engineers technological access solutions, and has a variety of information and resources on assistive technology.
- Virtual Assistive Technology Center (VATC) helps make computers and computer programs more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Freeware and shareware programs that help people with disabilities use computers may be downloaded at their website. The site also features information, publications, a message board, and links to related web sites. A free newsletter is also available.
