How does Assistive Technology help someone with a disability to compensate?
Technology can be a powerful “equalizer” for people with disabilities, allowing them to “get around” a limitation in any number of areas. Here are some examples of how technology enables people to compensate: • A child who enjoys writing stories but who lacks the fine motor coordination to handwrite may compensate by typing on the computer. • A child with autism or cerebral palsy who does not speak may be able to use a communication device with voice output to speak for herself. • An adult with cerebral palsy may be able to use an electric wheelchair if he/she is unable to walk. • A person with dyslexia who has difficulty reading or a person with blindness, who can easily understand things that he hears, may rely on a computer scanning software to read books to him. • An infant or toddler with lots of curiosity but limited movement abilities can play with adapted toys to learn cause and effect. • A student may use computer software to overcome difficulties with spelling, math, reading
