ABSTRACT
Objective:To introduce the basic knowledge on assistive technology and World Health Organization (WHO) latest understanding of assistive technology. Methods:The literatures in the field of assistive technology, including relevant documents of WHO since its establishment in 1948, and ISO 9999, as well as related articles published were reviewed. Results:The understanding of assistive technology can be divided into four stages: early (ignored), midterm (disabled persons needed rehabilitation engineering), recent (persons with disabilities needed assistive technology), and the latest (all the human needed assistive technology). The basic knowledge of assistive technology, including definition, characteristics, classification, function, selection and application were also introduced. Conclusion:The awareness of assistive technology is improved with the in-depth understanding of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation has become a part of the health service system, which means assistive technology is a subset of health technology.