The Technology Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 described an assistive technology device as "any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."
Assistive technologies can be "high tech" and "low tech:" from canes and lever doorknobs to voice recognition software and augmentative communication devices (speech generating devices).
Due to obsessions and compulsions, people who have obsessive compulsive disorder may have trouble concentrating. In classrooms and meetings, this may cause those with OCD to not follow what is being said or not be able to take accurate notes. A recording device can allow a person with OCD to go over recorded moments with less pressure and more control.
Many smartphones have recording capabilities, but often the sound recordings are not high quality. Other options include: