According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), an assistive technology device is "any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities."

An assistive technology device can be as simple as a rubber grip that enables a student to hold a pencil or as complex as a talking word processor program. For students with disabilities, assistive technology makes reading, speaking, seeing, and hearing possible.