The world is more connected than ever, which means a lot of technological advancements for individuals with special needs.
Technology has opened even more doors to inclusion in every aspect of life — from home to work to school.
And while devices of varying levels of sophistication have been in use for decades, the speed at which technology has advanced has led to more assistive products — and resources — than ever.
In fact, there are so many new technologies to explore that for individuals with disabilities and their families, it may be hard to keep up.
The National Institutes of Health recommends a handful of the community’s most comprehensive and helpful resources to navigate the assistive technology landscape.
The Accessible Technology Coalition
ATC supports use of technology to promote independent living for people with disabilities, providing information via online resources, and engaging in advocacy work to support policies that expand access to technology for people with disabilities.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
The NIDCD maintains a directory of organizations that provide information on the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech and language. It provides detailed information on assistive technology, assistive listening devices, augmentative and alternative communication.
PBS Parents
A trusted online resource filled with information about children’s development from birth through the early school years, including information on assistive devices as well as some specific guidance on alternative communication strategies for people who struggle to produce or comprehend spoken or written language.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
This foundation for individuals living with paralysis also includes information about available assistive technology to help people with impaired mobility or other disabilities drive motor vehicles. It also provides comprehensive information for caregivers.