Unicorn Roots

Definitions

When I was younger, I used to wonder why none of the characters in fantasy stories and period dramas ever seemed to need glasses or wheelchairs. It seemed strange to me that disabled characters were virtually nonexistent. Of course, these stories were fiction, and I now know more about history and artistic licence. But representation matters. So what changed? The continued expansion of Assistive Technologies has played a major role in the growing visibility of the disabled community.

Assistive Technology (AT) is an umbrella term for products, systems, and services designed to help those with disabilities and health conditions complete activities of daily living (ADLs) that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. This may include physical devices like shower chairs, canes, or prescription footwear; digital services and software like speech recognition or screen readers; and even widely available features like curb cutouts, accessible bathrooms, elevators, and widened hallways. While most ATs are designed specifically for those with disabilities, many can benefit everyone. For example, curb cuts help wheelchair users and people pushing strollers. ATs also help people with arthritis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, vision and hearing loss, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and many other conditions with ADLs like bathing and dressing, eating, communication, learning and remembering, symptom management, and much more (Office of Disability Services, 2026; World Health Organization, 2024; Cleveland Clinic, 2025).

At their core, ATs are intended to promote independence and accessibility. They address a wide range of needs, including communication, mobility, vision and hearing loss, learning and cognitive disabilities, neurodiversity, and dexterity and fine motor skills. Many ATs are also very versatile, and more are created every day. For example, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), mouth sticks, eye-tracking devices, and other speech-generating tools are typically used for communication needs, but they can also support mobility, learning, and cognitive needs. ATs such as adapted keyboards and joysticks, typically used to support mobility needs, can also support cognitive needs. AT systems and services like screen magnification and high-contrast displays, screen readers, audiobooks, captioning software, visual and haptic alerts, speech-to-text (STT) and text-to-speech (TTS) tools, as well as products like assistive listening and note-taking devices, can all support many needs (Office of Disability Services, 2026).

Other ATs are designed for more specialized needs. Braille displays, hearing aids, and cochlear implants are largely unhelpful for those without vision and/or hearing loss. Similarly, wheelchairs, canes, and some highly specialized devices are primarily designed for those with mobility disabilities. On the other hand, some readily available tools, such as noise-canceling headphones, white noise apps, organizational apps, memory aids, and daily routine aids, can be especially helpful for those with learning and cognitive disabilities, even though they are simple conveniences to most people. In fact, Princeton University’s ODS site maintains a list of AT options organized by need, linked in the references below (Office of Disability Services, 2026).

When considering all the ADLs that may need to be accommodated for, the list continues. Fall detection devices, vibrating alarms, grab bars, reaching and dressing aids, ramps, shower seats, ergonomic utensils, stair lifts, collapsible stools, eyeglasses, fidget toys, and that’s just the beginning. AT devices can be high-tech, like a touchscreen communication device, or low-tech, like a cardboard communication board. They can be physical hardware, like prosthetics, or computer hardware, like specialized keyboards. Some AT can include special software. Some can be found easily and independently, while others need to be carefully chosen by a team of professionals or consultants. This is partly because some AT requires a prescription, even when it’s covered by insurance or a government program. Cost and coverage are often significant barriers, as they often depend on the device or system, the reason or reasons that it is needed, the individual’s insurance coverage, and even the disabled individual’s employer (Cleveland Clinic, 2025; ATiA, 2026).

Portability can also be an issue, making rental services a practical choice for some. Luckily, there are organizations like ATiA whose members can help their clients connect with AT providers. Online message boards and social media can also be a great place to start looking for information or to find less specialized AT (Cleveland Clinic, 2025; ATiA, 2026).

Finally, when talking about AT, it’s important to acknowledge the ableism that often accompanies it. As with any form of discrimination, the discrimination against those with a disability is not always intentional, and it can come from within the disabled community as well. The modern concept of ableism, which likely emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, can be seen in almost every setting, personal, societal, cultural, and institutional. It can manifest in the unnecessary labeling and altered expectations of an innocent peer, or in more obvious judgments rooted in eugenics-based thinking. In almost every case, these judgments are based on what is perceived as “normal” (Britannica Editors, 2025).

References

Office of Disability Services (2026). Assistive Technology. Princeton University. https://ods.princeton.edu/assistive-technology

Cleveland Clinic (2025). Assistive Technology. Health Library. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/assistive-technology

ATiA (2026). What is AT?. Assistive Technology Industry Association. https://www.atia.org/home/at-resources/what-is-at/

World Health Organization (2024). Assistive Technology. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology

Britannica Editors (2025). Ableism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/ableism