AT in OT Practice

AOTA and WFOT both advocate for AT as an important aspect of OT services, providing the following Assistive Technology position statements:

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

• AT is within the scope of OT across all settings, ages, and diagnosis​
• Built-in accessibility features are widely available but often underutilized
• When properly used, AT tools can considerably enhance an individual’s independence, safety, and participation
• OT Professionals uniquely evaluate AT in context driven by occupation, aligning with the Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)

• AT is a Core Competency within OT practice for optimizing the fit between a person’s abilities and desire to engage in occupations (WFOT)​
• OTs have an integrated perspective of AT in relation to a person’s abilities, the occupation, and the environment, which supports understanding the barriers and enablers to access and adoption
• Advocates for OTs to develop flexible, specific strategies to increase access to high quality, affordable AT worldwide

The Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) model is the PEOP model applied to AT.

What OT Professionals already know (PEOP)

• Person – Performance skills, motivation, routines, preferences, values, beliefs​
• Environment – physical, social, cultural, digital​
• Occupation – daily tasks, activities, and roles a person wants or needs to do​
• Performance – Participation in meaningful tasks​

​How That Translates in AT (HAAT)​

• Human ​- Client factors, performance skills, performance patterns​​
• Activity ​- Meaningful task​
• Assistive Technology​ – Tool for a human doing an activity in context​​
• Context ​- Physical, social, cultural ​

The HAAT uses the same clinical reasoning, but more precise language for technology.​

Evaluation:​

• Identify contexts, facilitators, barriers, and current technology ​
• Assess motivation and performance skills ​
• Establish occupation-based goals​

Intervention:​

• Customize device features to support functional goals​
• Provide training to client and caregivers as needed​

Outcomes:​

• Support access, independence, engagement, and participation​

Reassessment:​

• Monitor effectiveness ​
• Adjust as needs changes

See our guides for free and built-in technology. When free options are not sufficient, several sources are available for funding assistive technology.

Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

• Colorado DVR Programs and Services
• DVR Interest Form – Includes a section to indicate interest in Assistive Technology on the form.

ADA National Network

• The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on ADA.

Disability and Business Tech Assistance Centers (DBTACs)

• There are 10 Regional ADA National Network Centers located across the country that provide personalized, local assistance to ensure that the ADA is implemented wherever possible.
• The local DBTAC is the Rocky Mountain ADA Center.

Assistive Technologies Act Programs

• Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs – A good resource for finding the Tech Act program closest to you.

Colorado’s Assistive Tech Act Program: Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE)

• CIDE provides technical assistance to Coloradoans on AT, consultation, product demonstrations, equipment borrowing, and low-interest loans for individuals with disabilities.

OTs are uniquely positioned to normalize accessibility reviews, support carryover through training, and collaborate with systems like IT or education to reduce access gaps.

• Built-in accessibility is widely available but often underused
• Common barriers: limited training, updates, and client confidence
• Embed accessibility review into evaluations
• Train clients and caregivers
• Collaborate with IT, school, and workplace teams