The Global Assistive Technology Encyclopedia has been created by AbilityNet, the UK's largest provider of advice and information on all aspects of Access technology.
Its' purpose is to provide live and up to date information on everything to do with Assistive Technology. It's a showcase of both products and useful sources of information.
The wiki is moderated and all comments and opinions are those of the individual contributor and not necessarily those of AbilityNet.
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Information is power,
but it is only distributed information which is truly empowering (1)
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Supported by Essential Accessibility

Disabled people invisible in Britain today 01 September 2010 - Nearly 40% of people (who are not disabled and do not have a disabled family member) don’t know any disabled people.
- 90% of Britons have never had a disabled person in their house for a social occasion
- 91% of people believe that disabled people should have the same opportunities as everyone else
Read the full article from SCOPE . . .
More Disability statistics . . .
The experience and impact of AT is illustrated through case studies.
The issues and solutions to designing websites to meet the needs of people with a disability.
Including Advice and Information, Online Training, Technical Support and Access to Work
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| Working with different needs | How a person with a vision impairment access a computer - bigger fonts, magnification, screen reading software and braille devices.
Some disabilities will require to consider an alternative to the standard keyboard and mouse which comes with a computer. In this section you will find a range of keyboard and mouse alternatives, including on-screen keyboards, eye pointing and head tracking technology.
AT to assist giving the user a voice - augmenting or offering speech. AT to assist with giving the user improved access to written communication as a reader or writer.
People with learning disabilities have difficulty taking information in through the senses and processing the information with accuracy. This may lead to difficulty learning and performing in school and work. Most learning disabilities are manifested in poor reading, writing and math which subsequently affect a broad range of functions and skills.
People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can configure Windows to use visual cues in place of sounds, or increase the volume level of program and system sounds.
| Other Sources of Information | Knowledge Banks
 If you can't find what you're looking for on the GATE, where else can you find information on assistive technology or sources of support?
Link to Knowledge Banks . . .
| | What is Assistive Technology |
A history and definitions of Assistive Technology, from ATTrain . . .
| Technology Spotlight | The Papoonew AACApple deviceiPad2
Developed by the French company Smartio the PAPOO AACMarch device2011. is designed as an extremelyApple lightlaunches weight communication device. TheiPad device2, cana belighter, heldthinner and runmore withfeature onepacked hand,version or canof bethe runoriginal withiPad awhich appeared singlein switch.2010.
MoreRead informationmore about the PapooiPad here . . .
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| Accessible cash till
Richmond Adult Community College approached Sensory Software to develop the Accessible Cash Till, an easy-to-use cash register. They have students with learning disabilities, who often work in the college shop. They were having difficulty using a conventional till, and wanted something that would guide them through the sales process. This accessible cash till is the result.

Read more about the Accessible Cash Till . . . | dapting and adjusting your computer
| Adapting and adjusting your computer |
Things you can do to adjust settings from within your operating system or main applications to make the computer more accessible and matched to your needs Different input and output devices, i.e. Keyboards, Mice, Cialis, Voice Recognition software, eye and head track systems, that make it easier for you to put information into a computer and get information out. Additional software solutions that make accessing information and comunicating on a computer easier, i.e. Word Prediction, Magnification, Communication, Voice Recognition, Screenreaders.
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| Other Platforms | The rapidly changing field of mobile phones creates a range of issues for disabled users. This area explores models of phone with high levels of accessibility and how phones canbe optimised for individual needs PDA's or Personal Digital Assistants descibe those portable or handheld computers that are used to carry information and resources with the user. examples include the HP Ipaq or the PalmPilot series Augmentative Alternative Communication aids (AAC), for people who have lost the power of speech through disability. It includes the use of eye pointing, gesture, signing, symbols, word boards, or a speech output device. | |
(1) Based on a
quote by Tom Watson, Minister for Digital Engagement, as he outlined the next steps in the Government's
Power of Information programme


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