Veterans Affairs Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology Mission
To enhance the ability of Veterans and active duty service members with disabilities to fulfill life goals through the coordination and provision of appropriate assistive technology services.
Assistive Technology Vision
To be a leader in assistive technology, providing state-of-the-art services by certified AT providers whose collaborative efforts maximally improve the quality of life of Veterans and active duty service members with disabilities.
What Assistive Technology Includes
Assistive Technology refers to a broad range of devices, services, strategies, and practices that are conceived and applied to improve the problems faced by Veterans with disabilities. No two applications are exactly the same in terms of the needs and skills of the Veteran being served, the activities to be accomplished, and the context in which the application takes place.
VA assistive technology covers devices, services, and strategies designed to improve the lives of those with physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments. Core areas include
- WHEELED MOBILITY AND SEATING DEVICES: Mobility aids: wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, prosthetics, adapted driving equipment.
- ADAPTED AUTOMOBILE EQUIPMENT: Seating systems and manual/powered mobility devices.
- ADAPTED SPORTS AND RECREATION EQUIPMENT: Properly prescribed adapted equipment allows people with disabilities to gain increased ability to perform recreation ac[1]tivities, and reduce secondary medical complications such as repetitive strain injuries, pain, and/or pressure sores.
- ELECTRONIC COGNITIVE DEVICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL UNITS (ECUs): Electronic cognitive devices are hardware and software that facilitate improved function in cognition and memory, route[1]finding, information processing, emotional regulation, or social appropriateness
- AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT: for speech and language impairments. They are necessary to compensate for temporary or permanent communication impairments, including disorders of speech-language production and comprehension of both spoken and written modes of communication.
- ADAPTIVE COMPUTER ACCESS TOOLS: Computer access addresses the needs of individuals who cannot use a standard keyboard to input data, or use a standard pointing device to perform basic functions such as pointing, clicking and dragging.
Assistive Technology Fact Sheet (PDF)
How to Access VA Assistive Technology
Veterans can access assistive technology services through the VA by contacting their medical provider to request a consultation. The VA offers assessments, funding, training, and follow-up services to ensure that veterans receive the appropriate technology tailored to their needs.
Benefits of VA Communication and Assistive Devices
- Increased independence in daily activities.
- Improved mobility and safety.
- Enhanced communication with family, friends, and employers.
- Greater employment opportunities.
- Higher quality of life by reducing frustration and isolation.
Tip: If you have a specific communication or mobility need, bring documentation of your condition and goals to your VA appointment. This helps the provider match you with the most effective assistive technology.
Patient-Specific Assistive Devices
VHA providers can assist Veterans in obtaining patient-specific assistive devices through the Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM). Here is the link: https://innovation.va.gov/oam/
*By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site. For other than authorized VA activities, the VA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these links.
