  The term Assistive Technology has evolved over the years and identifies
equipment or product systems, whether acquired, modified, or customized, that
are used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities. Considering the advances that have been made,
what trends can be identified to provide evidence of the evolution of AT as
devices that foster accessibility and empower users with different abilities?
Through a systematic literature review we identify research items that offer
evidence of the evolution of the meaning, purpose, and applications of AT
throughout the history. This paper provides evidence that AT evolved from
products to improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities
toward enabling technologies that facilitate tasks for people with different
needs, abilities, gender, age, and culture. This evolution will lead to a
positive demystification of the meaning and applications of AT toward broad
usage acceptance among mainstream users.
