Types of Assistive Technology Products

Assistive technology products are designed to provide additional accessibility to individuals who have physical or cognitive difficulties, impairments, and disabilities. When selecting assistive technology products, it is crucial to find products that are compatible with the computer operating system and programs on the particular computer being used.

Below are descriptions of the various types of assistive technology products that are currently available on the market today. You may also want to use a tool to identifying the right type of assistive technology that might be useful, then search the catalog of assistive technology products for products compatible with the Windows operating system.

Descriptions of Assistive Technology Products

Alternative input devices allow individuals to control their computers through means other than a standard keyboard or pointing device. Examples include:

• Alternative keyboards—featuring larger- or smaller-than-standard keys or keyboards, alternative key configurations, and keyboards for use with one hand.
• Electronic pointing devices—used to control the cursor on the screen without use of hands. Devices used include ultrasound, infrared beams, eye movements, nerve signals, or brain waves.
• Sip-and-puff systems—activated by inhaling or exhaling.
• Wands and sticks—worn on the head, held in the mouth or strapped to the chin and used to press keys on the keyboard
• Joysticks—manipulated by hand, feet, chin, etc. and used to control the cursor on screen.
• Trackballs—movable balls on top of a base that can be used to move the cursor on screen.
• Touch screens—allow direct selection or activation of the computer by touching the screen, making it easier to select an option directly rather than through a mouse movement or keyboard. Touch screens are either built into the computer monitor or can be added onto a computer monitor.

More Details : http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx