Assistive Technology or AT for Motor Disabilities

Many students benefit from using assistive technology (AT) in the classroom and at home to better access classroom resources and information. AT can also help students with motor disabilities access computers and other technology tools more independently, increasing their learning, participation, and overall engagement.

Students with significant motor impairments often have difficulty with gross or fine motor skills or both, impacting their ability to use computers using a standard keyboard and mouse or a touchscreen. As a result, they may benefit from alternative input AT devices to use computers and other classroom technology for learning.

There are a variety of alternative input devices that can assist students with functional and task needs in the classroom. Assistive technology in this category includes alternative keyboards, styluses, mouth or head sticks, joysticks, track balls, voice control, head trackers, eye gaze devices, and a variety of switches to accommodate students’ individual motor capabilities. Several AT tools are demonstrated in this video.

In addition to AT to access technology for learning at school, these AT tools can readily translate to technology use at home and in the community. AT for motor disabilities can promote increased independence for activities of daily living and also for tasks at work.

This video was produced for the Georgia Department of Education by the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (Assistive Technology Partnership, 2023).