Assistive technologies (AT) are the tools and strategies that act to liberate the use of technology for all students as well as to provide new ways to "assist" interactions and learning. They act to "augment abilities and bypass or compensate for a disability" (Lewis, 1994)

AT is anything that makes it easier for a student to: read, write, speak, see, get around or move and play. Educational and assistive technology give students with disabilities greater possibilities to master content, organize and control behavior. Recent technology innovations are changing the ways teachers teach and children learn. Students with disabilities are capable of participating in the general education curriculum to varying degrees with some adaptation and modifications that AT can provide. For more information about AT visit www.atto.buffalo.edu .

Assistive technology includes devices and services. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the "Assistive technology device" means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

"Assistive technology service" means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes:

1. The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child’s customary environment;

2. Purchasing, leasing or otherwise providing for the acquisitions of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;

3. Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;

4. Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;

5. Training or technical assistance for a child with disability or, if appropriate, that child’s family; and

6. Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services), employers, or other 　

individuals who provide services to employ or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of that child.

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/iep_instruct_svcs/assistive_technology/what_is_assistive_technology.pdf