Types of Assistive Technology
BATA does not recommend individual products and the information below is not exhaustive, but in this section we have given some more information about the types of assistive technology that can be used, and some products that fulfil that function.
Text to Speech
.This type of assistive technology reads text aloud so can be very useful for those with dyslexia, sight loss, difficulty processing information and other challenges. It can take the form of software or hardware. There are several examples of software that have this functionality, and there are also physical scanning pens that can be used to scan text and read it aloud.
Some examples of text to speech assistive technology include:
Speech to Text
.This type of assistive technology allows the user to speak aloud to type or undertake a function in a piece of software. This can be useful for those with physical challenges who find it difficult to type, or for those with sight loss.
Some examples of speech to text assistive technology include
Mind Mapping
.Mind Mapping software allows users to visualise their thoughts and organise them in diagrams to help make sense and structure of them. It can reduce overwhelm, allow users to get all their ideas out quickly and reduce blank-page syndrome. This type of assistive technology can be particularly useful for those with neurodifferences such as autism or ADHD, or those with cognitive challenges or anxiety.
Examples of this type of assistive technology include
Literacy Skills
.There are many assistive technology tools to help with literacy skills, whether that be spelling, composition or comprehension. These tools can support individuals with dyslexia, neuro-differences or processing challenges. These assistive technology tools range from software that can mask text, highlight text, auto-correct spelling, offer word prediction, teach spelling through gamification and more!
Some products in this category include
Notetaking and Recording
.There are lots of assistive technology tools that can help with notetaking and recording whether it be in the classroom, lectures, or business meetings. This can help those who find it hard to process auditory information or make connections with ideas and concepts. Many of these notetaking tools include additional functionality to allow notes to be edited and embellished.
Some examples of note-taking tools include
Confidence and Wellness
.Many individuals with neuro-differences, specific learning difficulties or other challenges suffer from anxiety, low self-esteem and lack of confidence. There are many assistive technology tools to help with this, ranging from scheduling software, digital wellness solutions to a complete life-management tool with additional human support.
Some examples of assistive technology in this category include
Organisation
.Many individuals with neuro-differences, Specific Learning Difficulties, anxiety or other challenges struggle with organising tasks and self-management. There are a wealth of tools to help with this.
Some products to help with organisation include
Revision and Exam Preparation
.Exams are stressful for everyone, but for those who manage additional challenges exams can be a barrier to success without additional support. There is a wealth of assistive technology to assist with this by simplifying the revision process, offering gamification techniques to revise, breaking down content and encouraging wellness and calming practices.
Some products in this category include
Research and Referencing
.For many individuals with neuro-differences, dyslexia or anxiety it can be a real challenge to conduct research and make sense of large bodies of text. There are assistive technology tools to help with this by summarising documents, reading documents aloud and helping to order the information.
Some of those products include
Presenting
.For many individuals with neuro-differences, dyslexia or anxiety it can be a real challenge to confidently deliver a presentation either in the workplace or an academic setting. There are assistive technology tools designed to help individuals develop coping strategies and practical methods to deliver successful presentations with opportunities to rehearse and perfect. This reduces anxiety and increases confidence.
Some of those products include
Aids for Hearing Loss
.This is a wealth of assistive technology to assist those with hearing loss. These can range from devices worn by the user to specialist speakers and microphones. Often this technology can improve accessibility in group settings.
Some examples of these types of product can be found at
Aids for Sight Loss
.This is a wealth of assistive technology to assist those with sight loss. These can range from magnification software, text to speech software (more info above), screen readers that can read electronic documents or hardware to act as a physical guide by the user. When using screen readers documents need to be formatted in an accessible way and there are also tools to help with this.
Some examples of these types of product can be found at
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
.For those individuals who face communication challenges AAC technology can be of benefit. This technology ranges from symbols software to voice generation tools. This is a very broad area of assistive technology and there are many different solutions depending on the needs of the user.
Some examples of AAC providers include
Assistive Technology for Mobility Challenges
.For those individuals who face mobility challenges there is a wealth of assistive technology available dependant on specific need. This can range from solutions that allow eye or mouth control as well as speech to text and other tools mentioned in previous sections.
Some examples of assistive technology to allow alternative control functions include