Foundations of Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation

Assistive technology supports independence across mobility, communication, daily living, and learning. Sound practice rests on understanding the spectrum of devices, the structured assessment process, and the principles that guide selection and training. This foundational course provides that base. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the major categories of assistive technology, recognize the structure of an assistive technology assessment, identify the principles of person-environment-task matching, and understand the role of training and follow-up. What you will learn: - Major categories of assistive technology including mobility, seating, communication, and environmental controls - The structure of an assistive technology assessment including team composition - The principles of person-environment-task matching - The role of low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech solutions - Funding pathways for assistive technology in common health systems - The principles of training including device use and caregiver support - The role of follow-up, adjustment, and abandonment prevention The course uses readings, device category overviews, case examples, and reflection questions. Each module ends with applied exercises. This course is written for occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, rehabilitation engineers, and other professionals working with assistive technology. It does not replace supervised clinical training or specialty certification. By the end you will have a structured foundation in assistive technology principles.