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Assistive
Technology Definitions: Glossary of Terms
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B C D E
F G H I J K
L M N
O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z
Administrative
Hearing: Formal judicial process where appeal is heard.
Administrative Officer/Hearing Officer: Person in charge of and decision-maker for formal appeals hearing.
Advocacy: Writing, speaking, or assisting in support of a consumer
Aids for Activities for Daily Living (ADL): Self-help aids for use in activities such as eating, bathing, shopping, home maintenance, etc.
Agencies: State or Federal government units which provide, or are approved to provide, assistive technology or technology related services (examples include: worker’s compensation court, social services, school districts, rehabilitation services, etc.)
Appeal: This is the process which takes places when a request is denied. The consumer gives the funding agency additional information so they may reconsider the request.
Application: Process by which the consumer formally requests a device or service from an organization.
Arbitration: Process that is more formal than mediation but that also involves a neutral third party; after presentation of both sides a third person decides issue. Normally the third person has experience in the area.
Assessment/Recommendation: A professional opinion with regard to the types of aids, equipment, or other services within the field of assistive technology that might improve an individual’s level of functioning.
Assistive Technology Device (as defined by ATP): Devices that help individuals with disabilities to function more independently (devices may include: wheelchairs, communication devices, environmental controls, etc.).
Assistive Technology Device (as related to Special Education): Any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether purchased off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.
Assistive Technology Services: Services include selecting, getting, or using assistive technology devices. This may include evaluation, customization, repair, maintenance, and training on how to use the device.
Augmentative
Communication: Electronic and non-electronic devices that can be used to assist people with speech or writing difficulties to help them say what they want.
Auxiliary Aids and Services: The means for achieving effective communication. This term includes sign language interpreters; written materials; assistive listening devices; telecommunication devices for the deaf and speech-impaired (TDDs); tapes, braille, or large print materials; readers; and other communication tools.
Care Management: Any program through the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) offices that help consumers age 60 and over maintain their independence in their homes.
Cognitive Impairment/Mental Retardation: Individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities who use aids or devices to improve learning, increase their ability to receive, understand, and give information.
Consumer: An individual with a disability who is requesting assistance from the Assistive Technology Project.
Consumer-Driven: People with disabilities are the decision-makers in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the services and devices.
Consumer-Responsive: To listen to feedback from people with disabilities and then changing the way services are provided based upon that information.
Denial: A process by which the agency or organization informs the requesting party that the service or device requested will not be provided.
Dispute Resolution: An umbrella term for processes people can utilize to address their problems or conflicts.
Durable Medical Equipment: Equipment which is most often used to serve a medical purpose, withstands repeated use, and is something that can be used in the consumer’s home.
Empowerment: The process by which an individual becomes enabled to make changes in his/her life.
Environmental Controls: Aids or devices (such as electronic equipment, switches and controls) used within an individuals surroundings in order to assist in independent living activities.
Environmental Adaptations: Changes or modifications (such as ramps, door widenings, tub seats, etc) to an individual’s environment in order to assist in independent living activities.
Equipment Fabrication: The design and construction of a device or piece of equipment that improves and individual’s functioning level.
Equipment Fitting: The process of installing, adjusting, and testing a device, or other adaptation as it applies to benefitting and individual in some way.
Equipment Loan: To provide needed equipment to consumers free of charge for a specific period of time.
Equipment Modification: To change or alter the design and construction of an existing device or piece of equipment that improves an individual’s functioning level.
Equipment Purchase: To obtain equipment by the consumer paying for it or by an agency/organization authorizing the purchase of the equipment.
Equipment Rental: To provide needed equipment to consumers for a fee.
Equipment Repair/Maintenance: A service that must be performed routinely or as needed to keep products, devices, or other equipment functioning at the maximum level.
Evaluation/Technical Assessment: A hands-on, in-person evaluation whereby a disabled individual is tested, measured, observed, and questioned for the purpose of determining the most appropriate and beneficial technology for his/her individual situation.
Funding Assistance/Consultation: The consideration of funding a specific request by ATP. The provision of agency, program or organizational names, contact persons, addresses, and telephone numbers that may be available to financially assist an individual in the purchase of a device or service. Consultation is giving professional advice on funding strategies and correspondence.
Funding Coordinator: A resource person responsible for funding assistance and guidance throughout the funding process.
Handyman Unit: Any program through care management or senior service centers that help consumers remain in their homes independently as long as possible through minor home repairs and homemaker services (examples: lawn mowing, snow removal, house cleaning, minor home modifications, etc.)
Hearing Impairment/Deafness: Devices or systems which improve communication or alert the individual to environmental events.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): One-stop healthcare organization which provides for all medical needs and makes referrals for any specialized care required but not available within the main structure of the organization. Most HMO’s consists of a large group of healthcare professionals who can provide services in a variety of general areas. The overall operation is managed like a business and the emphasis is on preventive healthcare measures.
Home/Worksite/Modifications: Structural adaptations and/or fabrications in the home, worksite, or other areas that remove or reduce physical barriers for an individual with a disability such as ramps, lifts, widened doorways, lowered desk, or counter tops.
Individual with a Disability: Any individual who is considered to have a functional limitation in major life activities in which assistive technology devices or services would enable the individual to maintain or achieve a greater level of functioning.
Information and Referral: Knowledge provided to a consumer, family member, provider, or other advocate to aid the consumer in finding the right technology. Direction or otherwise linking someone to the correct professional program, service, or agency that will supply or play a major part in helping the consumer get assistive technology.
Instructional Equipment: Equipment, supplies, and publications necessary to aid the consumer in reaching the goals and objectives of the individual education program (IEP).
Learning Disability: A disorder in one or more of the basic processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may be seen in the consumer’s inability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations. (The term does not include children who have learning problems which are mainly the result of visual, hearing, or motor handicaps, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage).
Major Life Activity: The basic activities that the average person in the general population can perform with little or no difficulty. Examples include: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working, etc.
Mediation: Negotiation that involves a third party who is neutral on the conflict; “facilitated negotiation.”
Medically Necessary: Items that are needed by the consumer for medical reasons. These items need to be ordered by a doctor or other medical professionals.
Negotiation: A process which may be formal but involves at least two people who are on different sides of an issue; typically they discuss and give and take in order to reach a resolution that requires compromise on both sides.
Organization: A consumer association or group of people having specific interests in the activities of persons with disabilities. This group may receive funding from both the public and private sectors (example: Cerebral Palsy, Easter Seal Society, etc.).
Personal Assistance Services: A range of services provided by one or more people. These services are designed to assist an individual with a disability to perform activities of daily living on or off the job that the individual would typically do if s/he did not have a disability.
Physical/Orthopedic Impairment: A physical disability which limits the consumer’s ability to walk or be mobile.
Pre-existing Condition: A medical condition that was present before the consumer applied with the insurance company. Some insurance companies will deny funding of medical costs related to pre-existing conditions.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): A network of individual healthcare providers brought together under one insurance plan. A consumer will be required to select only from this list to be covered under the insurance plan.
Prior Approval/Authorization: A written payment agreement from the funding agency based on their review of materials give to them explaining the consumer’s need for a device or service. This process must take place BEFORE the device or service has been purchased.
Psychological/Behavioral Disorder: Severe conditions that produce intensive, frequent and long-term signs and symptoms diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional that are extremely limiting to one’s ability to functionally live independently.
Rehabilitation Engineering: A service that uses technology to assist persons who have difficulty doing things independently. Rehabilitation engineers work as team members and may make custom-made devices, adapt existing devices, or make changes in work site, homes or other environments to increase access and independence for people with disabilities.
Rehabilitation Technology: The use of technologies, engineering methods, or scientific principles by individuals with disabilities. The term includes rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services.
Related Services: Transportation and such corrective developmental and other helping services as required to assist a handicapped child to benefit from special education.
Representation: Having another present or position; can take place within a variety of context including appeals, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution.
Service Provider: The person whose job and responsibility is to provide a valued service that is appropriate to and in the best interest of the person with a disability, their family members, and/or advocates. The service provider should be knowledgeable about his/her specialty area and an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. This includes, but is not limited to; physical therapist, speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist, etc.
Specialized Program: A program using assistive technology or technology related services in service delivery to people with disabilities.
Speech/Communication Impairment: Speech, language, or writing impaired persons who use devices, systems, or electronic aids which provide augmentative communication.
Systems Change: An adjustment to any policy, practice, or procedure that increases access to services, including assistive technology. These adjustments affect many people and have a permanent and lasting result.
Technology User: The person who uses the assistive technology device. Another word that is often used is consumer.
Transition Services: A coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school to post school activities. These activities can include education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.
Training: A process whereby the individual with a disability, family members, or other personnel are taught how to use a piece of assistive technology, product, or service.
Visual Impairment/Blindness: blind and visually impaired individuals who require sensory aids or devices to improve functioning.
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