Rehabilitative and Assistive Technology Resources

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 
  ASHA works to make communication accessible to and achievable for all people, including those who might require assistive technology. The ASHA evidence maps on assistive technology  provide evidence-based information.
• Administration for Community Living (ACL)
  ACL is a federal government agency that aims to help older people and those with disabilities participate fully in their communities. ACL offers information about assistive technology and other programs through their website.
• MedlinePlus
  NIH’s National Library of Medicine offers a portal of information on assistive technology through its MedlinePlus website.
• U.S. Department of Education
  This division of the federal government addresses education, including learning for people with disabilities.
  • Assistive Technology
  • Rehabilitation Services Administration
• Family Caregiver Alliance 
  Offers resources for those who care for adults with chronic, disabling health conditions, including:
  • State-by-state Family Care Navigator 
  • Resources by Health Issue or Condition 
  • Assistive Technology for Caregivers 
• U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
  The DOL website includes a list of disability resources.
• Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDAA) 
  LDAA provides information, resources, and support to people with learning disabilities and those who care for them, including information about technology to assist those with learning disabilities. 
• National Public Website on Assistive Technology 
  This website, compiled by several rehabilitation organizations, provides a searchable database of assistive technology products and methods.
• Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) 
  This professional organization aims to improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities through technology solutions. RESNA sets standards for various types of assistive technology  and provides other information through its knowledge center. 
• Amputee Coalition 
  This organization focuses on enhancing the quality of life for amputees and their families. It offers a downloadable fact sheet  on financial assistance for prosthetic services, durable medical equipment, and other assistive devices.
• Center for Accessible Technology (CforAT) 
  The focus of CforAT is on access to computers and technology for people with disabilities. In so doing, the organization helps children with disabilities succeed in school, assists adults with finding and keeping jobs, and allows all people with disabilities to benefit from the digital revolution.

Please note: Links to organizations and information included on this page do not indicate endorsement from NICHD, NIH, or HHS.

• National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR)
  NCMRR serves as the coordinating body for rehabilitation research across NIH, including leading the 2021 revision of the NIH Research Plan on Rehabilitation (PDF 1.51 MB). It also supports research on rehabilitation medicine and rehabilitative and assistive technology.
• Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) 
  This Web-based resource, available through the University of Washington with funding from the National Science Foundation, provides information and training materials to increase the use of accessible information technology in educational settings.
  • Browse articles in the Knowledge Base by topic. 
  • Access the course curriculum for Web Design & Development I. 
  • Complete the Information Technology in Education Accessibility Checklist. 
• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR) 
  AAPMR is the national medical society representing more than 8,000 physicians who are specialists in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. These physicians specialize in nerve, muscle, bone, and brain injuries and illnesses and use nonsurgical approaches to decrease pain and restore function.
• American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) 
  AOTA is a national professional association representing the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy. It also aims to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
• American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) 
  This national trade association provides business services and products to orthotic and prosthetic professionals. AOPA also works to raise awareness of the profession and to impact policies that affect the future of the orthotics and prosthetics industry.
• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) 
  APTA is an individual membership professional organization representing more than 80,000 member physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 
  ASHA is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for audiologists; speech-language pathologists; and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
  • Access resources to help the public understand communication and communication disorders. 
  • Read ASHA's practice policy documents. 
  • Review information for academic programs and faculty. 
• Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) 
  AAP is an organization of physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians who work to improve patient care and advancements in the field through research, education, and advocacy. The AAP's official journal is the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation .
• Health and Medicine Division (HMD) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 
  In 2007, the HMD issued a report titled The Future of Disability in America. The report focuses on several topics, including the definition, measurement, and monitoring of disability; trends in disability; secondary health conditions and aging with disability; transitions for young people with disabilities from pediatric to adult health care services; assistive technologies and supportive physical environments; coverage of assistive technologies; and recommendations for research. In 2016, HMD held a workshop titled People Living with Disabilities: Health Equity, Health Disparities, and Health Literacy .
• National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR)
  NICHD's NCMRR supports research to enhance the health, productivity, independence, and quality of life for people with disabilities.
  • Medical Rehabilitation Research Resource Network
    This network, funded through NICHD's National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research with additional support from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, builds research infrastructure in medical rehabilitation by providing investigators with access to collaborative opportunities from allied disciplines, such as neuroscience, engineering, applied behavior, and the social sciences.
  • NCMRR also led the development of the NIH Research Plan on Rehabilitation (PDF 443 KB), which includes assistive technology.
  • NCMRR leads NICHD's activities related to small business research programs. Development and testing of many assistive technology devices occur through these programs.
• National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
  NIH's NIBIB is dedicated to developing and accelerating the application of biomedical technologies to improve health. Technologies for rehabilitation and assistive devices for people with disabilities are a major area of interest for the institute. Its website includes information on rehabilitation engineering.
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
  The NIDCD supports and conducts research to improve the lives of people with communication disorders. Part of its research support includes assistive technologies for people with hearing loss.

Please note: Links to organizations and information included on this page do not indicate endorsement from NICHD, NIH, or HHS.