Assistive technology has many uses depending on the person with a disability who has a disability. For example many people who have learning disabilities access special software that allows them to read things like emails and print materials. People who are vision impaired have special software that allows them to read their screens. They can use special scanners that allow them to read books and magazines on their computer screen. People who have a hearing loss often can benefit from technology that amplifies sound on the phone, within the classroom or within meetings. People who are Deaf living in remote areas can access Auslan interpreters through Skype on their laptops. People who have a hearing loss who prefer captioning can receive captioning on their laptop remotely. There are special microphones that feed sound directly to laptops which provides quality audio feed for Skype interpreting and remote captioning. Then of course there are heaps of things that can be done with smartphones, iPads or simply on the computer.

It is amazing the doors that technology have opened today. It pays to explore how technology can help you. The NDCO for Region 12, Gary Kerridge, previously worked in the role for Federation University when it was known as the University of Ballarat. He developed a number of resources to raise awareness about the immense possibilities of assistive technology. You can access these resources by clicking on the links below:

Other useful Links include: 

These are just some of the technologies that can help people with a disability in education or in the workplace. The Australian Government offers funding to purchase assistive technologies when the technology is essential for the person with a disability to do their job. For more information on the support that JobAccess can provide click on the link below:

JobAccess