Assistive Technology Specialist
March 29, 2024
Updated May 12, 2025
21 minute read
An Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist is a professional dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities gain independence and improve their quality of life through the use of specialized tools and technologies. This rewarding career path involves assessing the unique needs of clients, recommending appropriate assistive devices, and providing training on how to effectively use these technologies. It's a field that beautifully melds technology with human services, education, and healthcare, offering a chance to make a tangible difference in people's lives.
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Find a path to becoming a Assistive Technology Specialist. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/career/sfgucd/assistive
Reading list
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Provides a comprehensive overview of UDL, including its principles, guidelines, and strategies. It is written by three of the leading experts in the field.
Is widely considered a foundational text in assistive technology, offering a comprehensive overview based on the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model. It covers a broad range of devices, services, and practices, focusing on the relationship between the user, activity, and context. This is an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding and is often used as a textbook in academic settings. The latest edition includes updated information on current technology and ethical considerations.
An updated version or related work by Kat Holmes, likely building upon the concepts introduced in her earlier book 'Mismatch.' This would offer contemporary perspectives and potentially new case studies on how inclusion continues to shape design practices. Valuable for those seeking the latest insights from a leading author in the field.
Provides practical guidance on how to implement inclusive design principles in a variety of contexts, including product design, architecture, and urban planning.
Provides practical guidance for teachers on how to implement UDL in their classrooms. It includes case studies, lesson plans, and other resources.
Provides a comprehensive overview of inclusive design for digital products, including websites and mobile applications. It covers topics such as accessibility guidelines, user testing, and design patterns.
Provides a practical guide for educators on how to implement UDL in their classrooms. It includes case studies, lesson plans, and other resources.
Provides a comprehensive overview of inclusive design principles and their applications in a variety of contexts, including product design, architecture, and urban planning.
This classic book on design provides insights into the principles of human-centered design and their implications for creating inclusive and user-friendly products and environments.
Provides a practical guide for teachers on how to use UDL in their classrooms. It includes case studies, lesson plans, and other resources.
Focusing on digital products, this book offers practical guidance and best practices for designing with accessibility in mind. It covers a range of topics from the ethical reasons for accessible design to tools and techniques for user research and testing. This valuable resource for students and professionals working on digital interfaces, and can serve as a useful reference tool.
Provides a comprehensive handbook on universal design, covering topics such as design principles, case studies, and resources.
This guide provides a framework of quality indicators for evaluating and improving assistive technology services. It's a valuable resource for service providers, educators, and policymakers involved in delivering AT to individuals with disabilities. It focuses on ensuring effective and consistent AT provision.
Explores inclusive design from a social justice perspective, emphasizing community-led practices and the dismantling of structural inequality. It's particularly relevant for those interested in the broader societal implications of design and how design can be a tool for liberation. This book adds significant depth by connecting inclusive design to critical social issues.
Provides a strong introduction to inclusive design principles as they apply to digital products and services. It emphasizes the importance of creating technology accessible to the widest possible audience, including those with visual, motor, and auditory impairments. It's particularly relevant for those interested in the digital aspects of assistive technology and valuable resource for designers, developers, and UX professionals.
Explores the concept of exclusion in design and how adopting inclusive methods can lead to more innovative and elegant solutions that benefit everyone. It challenges traditional design thinking and provides a framework for understanding how to design for a wider range of human variability. It offers valuable insights for anyone involved in the design and development of assistive technologies.
A practical handbook for building accessible web interfaces, this book examines common interface patterns through the lens of inclusion. It provides detailed, practical examples and code snippets, making it an excellent reference tool for front-end developers and designers looking to implement inclusive design principles directly in their work.
This textbook integrates assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles for creating inclusive instruction. It's designed for undergraduate and graduate teaching programs and provides toolkits with resources and strategies for implementing AT and UDL in the classroom. This highly relevant resource for educators and those in training.
Written by the head of Product Inclusion at Google, this book provides insights and strategies for building a product inclusion strategy within organizations. It focuses on the 'how' of inclusive design in a corporate context and is valuable for those interested in implementing inclusive practices in a business environment. is particularly helpful for professionals and graduate students.
Shows teachers how to use UDL to create differentiated instruction that meets the needs of all learners. It includes strategies for planning, assessment, and instruction.
Focusing on web accessibility, this book provides practical guidance for creating inclusive online experiences. It is rooted in universal design principles and offers solutions and examples for making websites accessible without compromising design. is highly relevant for anyone involved in web development and content creation within the field of assistive technology.
A precursor to 'Inclusive Components,' this book also focuses on practical coding patterns for creating accessible web designs. It's a valuable resource for developers seeking concrete examples and techniques to improve the accessibility of their code. is more valuable as a practical reference tool for developers.
Rooted in universal design principles, this book provides practical advice and examples for creating accessible websites that can be used by everyone. It's a solid resource for understanding web accessibility in the context of inclusive design and is valuable for both students and practitioners in web development and UX. is helpful in providing background knowledge on web accessibility standards.
Delves into the intersection of rehabilitation engineering, assistive technologies, and the emerging role of robotics in healthcare. It explores contemporary topics and future possibilities in the field, making it relevant for those interested in cutting-edge advancements and research.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/sfgucd/assistive
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