Low Tech Assistive Technology: A Simpler Solution Than You Think

Introduction 

When many people think of assistive technology (AT), they typically think of wheelchairs or hi tech devices that are complicated to use. However, that’s not always the case. Low tech is a very important, but often overlooked area of AT. Low tech AT is defined as “devices that are readily available and not typically requiring batteries [1].” Examples of low tech AT include the following, although there are so many more:

• Pencil grips 

• Shoelace clips

• Adaptive writing tools

• Adaptive grips 

• Communication boards 

• Switches 

Low tech is designed to fill the very specific gaps in which hi tech is not necessary, creating a simpler and more customized device or item to serve a very niche purpose and/or support an individual in a specific location or environment. In addition, many low tech devices that can be made by 3D Printing [2]. There are numerous organizations around the world that create low tech solutions by 3D printing or other simplified methods, some even recruiting donors and volunteers to help make and distribute the devices [3]​​. This route to get low tech can be very beneficial as it’s cost effective. There are also open source websites that allow anyone to share various low tech solutions. Some examples include NIH 3D and Shop 3D Universe.

Continuing, Do it yourself (DIY) approaches to low tech assistive technology (AT) have also been sought after as another customizable and cost effective method of meeting AT needs. Searching “DIY low tech assistive technology” on Pinterest, Etsy, YouTube, or a search engine will also find you a large range of different low tech solutions that you can make at home. This isn’t to say that every piece of low tech AT should be made at home, but it may help or be necessary to do so in certain circumstances. It’s definitely not fair for people to need to rely on meeting their AT needs via DIY, but in simple matters, it can be beneficial. There is supported research that demonstrates how DIY low tech can have an increase in individual empowerment [4]. However, limitations still exist in DIY low tech as barriers to participation include a lack of internet access or financial constraints [5]. 

There is also the website Star Training with tutorials for making low tech devices. To add, low tech is and should always be inexpensive; so if you see a low tech AT that isn’t, you can probably find a less expensive (and still quality) version elsewhere. 

In conclusion, low tech is a very important assistive technological solution, yet it can be very simple. To further support your general assistive technology needs, check out our article on the 3 Step AT Process or our assistive technology page that includes visual examples of low tech. 

Sources:

[1] “Page 2: At Devices.” IRIS, Vanderbilt Peabody College, 7 Apr. 2025, iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/cresource/q1/p02/.

[2] “Low-Tech Assistive Technology - Oklahoma Able Tech.” Oklahoma ABLE Tech - Making Life Accessible to Oklahomans of All Ages and Abilities, 14 May 2025, www.okabletech.org/education-services/lowtech/. 

[3] Makers Making Change, Niel Squire , www.makersmakingchange.com/s/maker-wanted. Accessed 19 May 2025. 

[4] Hurst, Amy, and Jasmine Tobias. “Empowering individuals with do-it-yourself assistive technology.” The Proceedings of the 13th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, 24 Oct. 2011, pp. 11–18, https://doi.org/10.1145/2049536.2049541. 

[5] Hook, Jonathan, et al. “A study of the challenges related to DIY assistive technology in the context of children with disabilities.” Proceedings of the 2014 Conference on Designing Interactive Systems, 21 June 2014, pp. 597–606, https://doi.org/10.1145/2598510.2598530.