What is assistive technology, and give examples.

• A. A pencil
• B. A standard ruler
• C. A calendar
• D. Text-to-speech software.

Answer: (D)

Assistive technology includes tools and services that help individuals with disabilities perform tasks that might be challenging, increasing access, participation, and independence in learning and daily activities. Text-to-speech software exactly fits this because it converts written text into spoken words, allowing someone with reading difficulties, visual impairment, or processing challenges to access books, worksheets, and instructions by listening rather than reading. This supports comprehension, reduces barriers to classroom participation, and can aid in literacy growth by providing an alternate pathway to information. Everyday items like a pencil, a standard ruler, or a calendar are general-purpose classroom tools and don’t by themselves compensate for a disability or provide access to information the way text-to-speech software does.