Assistive Technology Industry Association
Encyclopedia
The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) is a not-for-profit membership organization of manufacturers, sellers and providers of technology-based assistive devices and/or services, for people with disabilities. ATIA represents the interests of its members to business, government, education, and the many agencies that serve people with disabilities. One goal of the ATIA is to "speak with the common voice" for Its mission is to serve as the collective voice of the Assistive Technology
(AT) industry so that the best products and services are delivered to people with disabilities.
Founded in 1998, ATIA is governed by a 10 member Board of Directors. ATIA has over 120 individual and corporate members. Its offices are located in Chicago, Illinois.
Since 1999, ATIA has held annual conferences that provide forums for education and communication to professional practitioners serving those with disabilities. The annual conferences are also open to people with disabilities, their caregivers, their family members, and members of the general public. In 2009, ATIA began providing educational online webinars to serve these groups. ATIA has also held conferences in collaboration with the Job Accommodation Network
and United States Business Leadership Network (USBLN). The published result of one such conference is Roadmaps for Enhancing Employment of Persons with Disabilities through Accessible Technology.
. ATOB publishes articles related to the outcomes and benefits of assistive technology for persons with disabilities across the lifespan. ATOB is a peer-reviewed annual publication, first published in 2004. The online version is free for download and is also available in multiple accessible formats. See External Link.
(IT) and Assistive Technology (AT) companies, content providers, and other key engineering organizations. Since then they have been working to develop standards and collaborate on the creation of solutions to long-standing compatibility problems that hinder the development of accessibility
solutions for people with disabilities. In 2010 AIA become a technical and engineering division within ATIA.
Assistive technology
Assistive technology or adaptive technology is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them...
(AT) industry so that the best products and services are delivered to people with disabilities.
Founded in 1998, ATIA is governed by a 10 member Board of Directors. ATIA has over 120 individual and corporate members. Its offices are located in Chicago, Illinois.
Since 1999, ATIA has held annual conferences that provide forums for education and communication to professional practitioners serving those with disabilities. The annual conferences are also open to people with disabilities, their caregivers, their family members, and members of the general public. In 2009, ATIA began providing educational online webinars to serve these groups. ATIA has also held conferences in collaboration with the Job Accommodation Network
Job Accommodation Network
The Job Accommodation Network is a service provided by the US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy . JAN is one of several ODEP technical assistance centers...
and United States Business Leadership Network (USBLN). The published result of one such conference is Roadmaps for Enhancing Employment of Persons with Disabilities through Accessible Technology.
Scholarly Publications
ATIA produces the Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits Journal (ATOB) in a collaborative scholarly partnership with the Special Education Assistive Technology Center (SEAT Center) at Illinois State UniversityIllinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
. ATOB publishes articles related to the outcomes and benefits of assistive technology for persons with disabilities across the lifespan. ATOB is a peer-reviewed annual publication, first published in 2004. The online version is free for download and is also available in multiple accessible formats. See External Link.
Industry Standard Setting
ATIA is involved in industry standard setting through its Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA) division. AIA was initiated in 2007 as an independent organization by a group of leading Information TechnologyInformation technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
(IT) and Assistive Technology (AT) companies, content providers, and other key engineering organizations. Since then they have been working to develop standards and collaborate on the creation of solutions to long-standing compatibility problems that hinder the development of accessibility
Accessibility
Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible. Accessibility can be viewed as the "ability to access" and benefit from some system or entity...
solutions for people with disabilities. In 2010 AIA become a technical and engineering division within ATIA.
Alliance Partners
ATIA partners with other organizations in the technology and disability fields to promote adoption and awareness of the ways that technology can benefit people with disabilities. Alliance Partners are:- Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)
- American Federation for the Blind (AFB)
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)American Occupational Therapy AssociationThe American Occupational Therapy Association is the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students and improve the quality of occupational therapy services...
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationThe American Speech–Language–Hearing Association is a professional association for speech–language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally...
- Assistive Technology in Higher Education Network (ATHEN)
- Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP)
- Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
- Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)Center for Applied Special TechnologyThe Center for Applied Special Technology, known as CAST, is an educational research and development organization based in Wakefield, Massachusetts....
- The Chicago LighthouseChicago LighthouseThe Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired is a non-profit organization located in Chicago, Illinois.The Lighthouse is one of the oldest social service agencies in Chicago...
- DAISY ConsortiumDaisy-Names:* Asteraceae or Compositae, known as the aster, daisy, or sunflower family* 'Common Daisy'** Bellis perennis or** Leucanthemum vulgare* Daisy , a feminine given name, commonly thought to be derived from the name of the flower-Places:...
- Easter SealsEaster SealsEaster Seals is an international charitable organization devoted to providing opportunities for children with physical disabilities. See*Easter Seals *Easter Seals *Easter Seals...
- Employment Resources, Inc. (ERI)
- Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
- Iowa Braille School (IBS)Iowa Braille and Sight Saving SchoolThe Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School is located in Vinton, Iowa. Students from all over Iowa are housed and educated there. Students must be legally blind to attend Iowa Braille. Students in special education are entitled to educational programming until age 21. Students may attend the school...
- National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP)
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)National Technical Institute for the DeafThe National Technical Institute for the Deaf is the first and largest technological college in the world for students who are deaf or hard of hearing...
- Pass It On Center (PIOC)
- Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North AmericaRehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America is an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability...
- State Leaders in Assistive Technology in Education (SLATE)
- The Technology and Media Division (TAM) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Publications
- Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits Journal, www.ATOBjournal.org
- Roadmaps for Enhancing Employment of Persons with Disabilities through Accessible Technology, www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3489, 2008.