Inside: Information vs Assistive Technology- what is the difference? And why do things that don’t seem to use technology fall under assistive technology? This article looks at how Information and Assistive Technology differ and how they work together- and explains why technology is a part of both of these names.

I had the pleasure of working in a public school system as an AT Specialist for about 7 years. The technology team was amazing and adopted me into their team despite my direct role falling under Student Services.

This led to some fantastic relationships and outcomes for students, though it also made me much more aware of what shirt I wore to work each day.

The Technology Team was wonderful, and when they purchased shirts for the department, they also purchased shirts for me. Being a part of their team felt great. However, the teachers and specialists in the district knew these shirts. They knew when they saw a technician walking down their hallway wearing one of the tech department shirts, that help was on its way. The shirts may have had an effect similar to that of a superhero cape.

Like most districts around the country, our district relied heavily on computers, the Internet, tablets, Chromebooks, smartboards, and other technology in its everyday lessons.

When things went wrong, staff immediately looked for one of these heroes in the tech department shirts.

A frustrated teacher holding their head in front of a computer

This is where my problem came in. While the technology department adopted me and was ready to learn about and support all things assistive technology, they couldn’t do the impossible—dump all of that IT knowledge into my brain!

I’m proficient enough with computers. I can work with word processors, spreadsheets, updates, installations, etc. But I’m at a complete loss when it comes to the magic happening inside the computer.

I have limited knowledge of RAM, MB, SSDs, and a million other technology acronyms. I speak in the acronyms of SLP, IEP, and EBD. While these letters may all seem interchangeable- I assure you they’re not.

This means I would see hopeful faces of teachers peeking out of their doors, so excited to see me walking down the hall wearing the super-hero cape… I mean, shirt.

I then had to watch them be crushed when I explained, in truth, I have no idea:

why their computer is coming up with a particular error
how to get district Wi-Fi for their student at home
what the newest antivirus program is doing to the learning management system

So Lets Talk RAM, EBD, IEP: Assistive vs Information Technology

What is the difference between IT (Information Technology) and AT (Assistive Technology)?

I will admit to needing to look up the definition of Information Technology. I’m guessing I fall into the same category as most people: I have a general understanding that it has to do with the magic inside the computer and how everything works together to make things happen, but I didn’t have a solid definition.

I learned Information Technology (IT) uses:

A laptop with a filing cabinet containing several open drawers instead of a screen

Computers
Storage
Networking
Infrastructure
Processes
Other physical devices

to create, store, process, secure, and exchange electronic data. This includes both hardware and software and the tools needed to make all of these things work.

When we compare this to Assistive Technology (AT), which is defined as:

any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities

we find some similarities and some differences.

While both of these fields rely heavily on acronyms, there are some key differences when we look at the purposes of each of these areas.

The biggest difference between IT and AT that jumped out at me is the key fact: Assistive Technology can be either high-tech or low-tech.

This means sometimes Assistive Technology may not be what most people consider “technology” at all!

AT can be as simple as a:

Sticky note
Cane
Pencil grip

Assistive Technology also has a specific purpose: to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. This means even when we use high-tech devices that use all of the Information Technology features, tools, etc., we’re using them for a very specific purpose. [Learn more about Assistive Technology Definition here]

Assistive Technology, Without the Technology?

When most people, myself included, think of the word technology, they think of

Computers
Tablets
Rosie from the Jetsons

Ok, the last one may just be me.

The point is that most people think of something complicated and high-tech, which is how technology has come to be recognized in our society.

However, the definition of technology according to most dictionaries is something along the lines of:

The practical application of knowledge, even more so in a particular area
A manner of accomplishing a task, especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge.
The specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor

So, using this definition, both IT and AT have a different meaning. The phrase is not in fact referencing any of the computer, tablet, or robot devices that pop into our minds.

Information Technology is referencing the practical application of knowledge in information.

Assistive Technology references the practical application of knowledge in assisting people with disabilities.

We Go Together Like…

While it was confusing for people in the school to look to me for help for IT solutions and not be able to get them, there are so many benefits to IT and AT teams working together.

While AT tools are not always ‘high tech’, many times, the tools an AT Specialist recommends are high-tech.

With so many life tasks requiring the use of the Internet, it is more important than ever that we find ways for people with disabilities to access computers, tablets, or smartphones with ease.

For example, each of the tasks below either requires or are made much easier with access to the Internet:

several people working on different devices around a large wifi symbol

Applying for a job
Finding out when a store is open
Scheduling transportation

Even applying for some state and federal benefits is 10 times more difficult without the internet.

Because of this, we often recommend computers, tablets, cell phones, apps, software, extensions, and more to help make the environment easier for someone with a disability to access. When these things don’t work well, we reach out to IT specialists for support.

In addition, when IT professionals know AT needs, they can plan for and design solutions that support everyone’s access.

The more IT and AT professionals work together, the better the environment is for accessibility for everyone.

So, About Those Capes

While I still feel bad about the teachers who I could not help while wearing my technology department shirt, I’m forever grateful for the things I learned from the cape-wearing (tech department shirt-wearing) colleagues.

Most IT professionals want to learn more about accessibility
If it doesn’t work- turn it off and back on
Some software just isn’t going to do the things I want it to

Thankfully, that second one helped many of the teachers I ran into in the hallways, keeping my secret- I was only an honorary tech-shirt-wearing hero.

FAQ

What is the difference between technology and assistive technology?

Technology is defined as the practical application of knowledge in any area. However, most of us think of technology as the computer-driven devices we use daily, including cell phones, computers, tablets, smart devices, etc. Assistive technology, however, is not any specific device or tool. It is, instead, any item, low or high-tech, that is used to increase or maintain the functional ability of someone with a disability. So it is more about the use of the tool than the tool itself.

What is an example of a no tech assistive technology?

One of my favorite examples of no-tech assistive technology is the humble sticky-note. If someone requires sticky notes to leave notes for themselves because they struggle with memory and without the sticky notes, they would forget what they needed to do, a sticky note can be an assistive technology!

What is an example of a high-tech assistive technology device?

One high-tech assistive technology device is a speaking AAC (augmented alternative communication) device. This is typically a computer, tablet, or smartphone-based device that allows a user to select buttons to have the device speak the words out loud.