assistive technology - technical definition

Hardware and software that help people who are physically impaired. Often called "accessibility options" when referring to enhancements for using the computer, the entire field of assistive technology is quite vast and even includes ramp and doorway construction in buildings to support wheelchairs. For more information, visit the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) at www.atia.org.

Enhancements for using the computer include alternative keyboard and mouse devices, replacing beeps with light signals for the deaf, screen magnifiers and text enlargers and systems that form tactile Braille letters from on-screen text. See screen reader, voice recognition, TDD/TTY and accessibility.