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1st Piece of Assistive Technology Created
In 1808 a man named Pellegrino Turri build the first typewriter as assistive technology. A friend of Turri's would use this piece of assisitve technology to help her write; something she struggled with due to blindness. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 of this act provided accommodations, modifications, and the consideration for assisitve technology for students with disabilities that do not qualify for an IEP under the 13 qualifying catagories. -
Technology Related Assistance Act
Senate passed this act in 1988, and it allowed for grants to be given to states to supply assisitive technology that could potentially assist a person with a disability. Funding was available for five years. To qualify for another five years of funding, states had to apply and compete with each other for funding. A goal of this act to was permanetly supply programs and supports for people with disabilities. -
IDEA 1997
In 1997, Presisent Clinton signed the reauthorization of IDEA. This amendement added that assisitve technology devices and services be considered for each student with a disability, at no cost to the family. Prior to this reauthorization, assistive technology was not mandated by law to be considered. -
Assistive Technology Act of 2004
This act provided more availability and more funding for states to purchase assisitve technology, and train people to use them. The funding was also allowed to be used towards public awareness. -
IDEA 2004
President George Bush signed the reauthorization of IDEA in 2004. The mandate to consider AT for each student with an IEP/504 remained. The termonology of "...consider whether a child needs assisitve technology," versus, "...consider whenther a child requires assisitve technology," was changed. The definition of AT also changed to not include medical devices that is not implanted. It was also added that assistive technology could be added and removed, as determined by the team. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA prohibited discrimination and assisted individuals with disabilities an equal oportunity in employment, transportation, state services, and public accommodations. The passing of ADA brought the ideas of Universal Design to a popular height among designers and architects. Universal Design made many daily activities more accessible for people with disabilities.
