Computer technology is advancing at a rapid pace, causing the diversity and availability of computer resources related to assistive technology to have a tremendous impact for special education students in the United States. Assistive technology offers students with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities the opportunity to gain universal access to learning tools and opportunities. Despite studies showing the benefits of assistive technologies, many school districts fail to fully realize the potential that assistive technologies can offer. This document will define assistive technology, identify several barriers to effective implementation, and present various approaches to overcoming those barriers. Assistive technology is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether commercially acquired standardized, modified, or customized, that issued to increase, maintain, or improve the functional abilities of individuals with disabilities” (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act , 1997). While assistive technology may include low-tech items such as canes, wheelchairs, and writing instrument stands, this document will focus on high-tech assistive technology electronic devices and software. Depending on the student's disability, various assistive technology devices may be used. Some physical adaptations include modified computer keyboards that involve color coding, keys arranged in alphabetical order, and adapted wands and pointers to increase the accessibility and accuracy of input (Starkman, 2007). Verbal and visual adaptations include programs using OCR recognition, speech-to-text recognition, text-to-speech applications, advanced multimedia applications, and organizational software. When it emerges… halfway through the document… all parties involved will have a clear understanding of the expectations, integration and evaluation of the process in place. It is clear that assistive technology has a huge positive impact on student learning. These tools allow students with disabilities to function in ways that otherwise would not be possible, which can promote learning, accessibility, and positive motivation. Lack of district and school leadership, teacher training and awareness, and lack of streamlined decision-making processes are barriers that can impede the effectiveness of assistive technology implementation. By creating a unified vision, effective professional development, effective academic teacher preparation programs, and well-designed implementation plans, districts can overcome these obstacles and meet the needs of the students who need them most..