People may present at any age some type of disability, lack or deficiency of one or more abilities that affects their performance in carrying out tasks appropriate to their level of development, such as walking, speaking, hearing, seeing, among others. Disability is a term used to refer to any physical, sensory, cognitive, or intellectual impairment that significantly affects a person's ability to perform daily activities or participate in society on an equal basis with others [1]. It is a broad and complex concept that comprises a wide range of conditions and limitations, temporary and permanent, and can result from various factors, like genetics, illness, injury, and environmental factors. The definition of disability may vary depending on the context, cultural beliefs, and legal frameworks in different societies [1].Disabled individuals are prevalent within most extended families, and it is common for non-disabled individuals to provide support and care for their disabled loved ones. As a result, throughout human history, societies have grappled with the ethical and political dilemma of how to effectively incorporate and assist individuals with disabilities. The distress of people with some kind of disability depends more on the environment in which they are inserted than necessarily on the problem they have. The World Report on Disability, jointly produced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, suggests that more than one billion people worldwide suffer from disabilities and reports that people with disabilities generally have poorer health, lower educational attainment, fewer economic opportunities, and higher poverty rates than people without disabilities [2]. This can be attributed in large part to the insufficient availability of services and the numerous obstacles that individuals with disabilities encounter daily. In this scenario, assistive technology (AT) emerges.Assistive technologies (AT) are devices, tools, and services that help individuals with disabilities to perform everyday tasks and participate fully in society. The goal of AT is to provide support and facilitate independence, while also improving the quality of life for those who use it [3]. As technology continues to advance, so do the possibilities for assistive technologies. In recent years, we have seen a rapid increase in the development and use of new AT devices and services that have the potential to transform the way we assist and support individuals with disabilities. This chapter introduces the new trends in assistive technologies, their benefits, and the challenges that come with them.
Definition of assistive technologyAssistive technology refers to devices, software, or equipment designed to support people with disabilities, enabling them to participate in various activities and improve